When searching for a heating and cooling system for your residence, it’s essential to choose one that balances efficiency, functionality and the impact on your wallet. That’s why many homeowners use mini-splits to heat and cool their home.
Mini-splits—often known as ductless mini-splits—have a variety of advantages that make them a popular option for both homes and businesses. They're highly energy efficient, lowering energy consumption and saving on utility expenses, because they avoid the energy losses associated with the ductwork found in traditional HVAC systems. They also enable users to control the temperature in each room, boosting overall comfort while not wasting energy.
If you’re considering mini-split installation in Cambridge, it’s necessary to first research if these devices are the best fit for your living situation. Here, we’ll investigate how mini-splits compare to other heating and cooling systems.
What a Mini-Split Is and How It Works
A mini-split, or ductless mini-split, is a heating and cooling mechanism that doesn't need ductwork to function. It's a popular choice in homes that don't have existing air ducts and for homes with rooms that aren’t served well by the home's existing HVAC system.
A mini-split system consists of two major components: an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling unit. The two are linked by a conduit carrying the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing and a condensate drain.
Here's how it works: the exterior compressor circulates the refrigerant necessary for heat exchange within the coils and the air handler. The in-house component brings in air from the room, cools or heats it over the coils and pushes the conditioned air back into the room.
Mini-Split vs. Central Air
Mini-splits provide targeted cooling in certain rooms or zones of your household. They are outstanding for energy efficiency because they only heat or cool the areas you choose. However, they sometimes don't blend seamlessly into every room due to their wall-mounted indoor units.
On the contrary, a central air system uniformly cools your entire home, generating consistent comfort levels throughout. Its ductwork is out of sight, preserving the aesthetics of your home. On the other hand, it will likely not be as energy efficient as a mini-split, especially in quite sizeable homes or residences where certain areas may not need continuous conditioning.
Mini-Split vs. Window AC/Window Unit
Mini-splits are typically more energy efficient and not as loud as a window air conditioning unit and are capable of cooling multiple rooms. This is why mini-splits are a flexible choice for countless homeowners. They also use a kind of refrigerant that is more earth-safe, limiting their environmental impact. These units can even add value to your home due to their durable nature and superior cooling capabilities. However, they come with a higher purchase price.
On the other hand, window air conditioning units are less expensive up front. They are often a good fit for homes that are not able to accommodate a central AC system or for families with budget constraints. Despite these advantages, window units can use up to 40% more energy than ductless mini-split systems and often are louder.
Mini-Split vs. Portable AC
The answer to what is better, a ductless mini-split or a portable air conditioning unit, is dependent on your goals. If your main considerations are energy efficiency and cooling capability, a mini-split is much more effective than a portable AC unit. However, if finances is a key concern, a portable AC is less expensive.
Mini-Split vs. Gas Furnace
Choosing between a mini-split system and a gas furnace depends on a variety of factors such as the climate in your city, home size, energy efficiency needs and spending plan.
A mini-split system usually is more energy efficient than a gas furnace. It can heat and cool targeted areas within your home, providing custom climate control in specific rooms. Mini-splits also are for the most part quieter and have a larger up-front cost, but their operating costs are usually smaller due to their superior energy efficiency.
On the other hand, a gas furnace can be a very effective heating solution, particularly in colder climates where mini-split heat pumps may struggle to maintain comfort levels in the bitter cold. Even though they are less energy efficient than mini-splits, gas furnaces likely have lower initial costs. But, their operating costs can be more costly, especially if natural gas prices rise.
Mini-Split vs. Heat Pump
Mini-splits and heat pumps use the concept of heat transfer. They are both energy efficient, but a heat pump's air ducts can cause more energy usage. However, the choice between a mini-split and a heat pump often is based on on individual needs and circumstances.
For instance, if you are living in a warmer climate and mainly need cooling, a mini-split system might be a good choice. But then again, if you want both heating and cooling and already have ductwork in place, a heat pump may be a more efficient option.
Mini-Split vs. Space Heater
When it comes to heating and cooling a household, mini-splits and space heaters each have advantages. However, for overall efficiency, versatility, comfort and safety, mini-splits outperform space heaters. Mini-splits have superior energy efficiency due to the fact they deliver conditioned air directly to different zones and can serve multiple rooms at once.
Space heaters are far less expensive to buy but are typically used only for heating a limited area or a single room. They also can be less energy efficient. In contrast to mini-splits, space heaters do not provide cooling. The greatest drawback for space heaters is the risk of fire. Experts say some 1,700 fires per year involve space heaters.