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What is a Ductless Split AC or Heating System??
7/19/10 Have you heard the term Ductless AC system??? A blog reader asked that I address these systems that are fairly new in residential settings. Ductless Split systems became prominent in office situations due to no space for air ductwork, or wanting a small specific area to have control over the room temperature. First, a reminder of how a “normal” split system AC works: you have an outdoor condenser connected to your furnace by refrigerant tubing. At you furnace is the AC coil. The furnace provides the blower to circulate air (warm or cold) throughout your house. So, from an AC perspective, the only purpose of the furnace is to provide a blower, and the ductwork to circulate the air. The ductless split system basically eliminates the furnace and ductwork. How does it do this??? In each area that you want AC (or heat, but I dont want to confuse things so I’ll stick with just AC for now) a mini coil with a built-in blower is mounted on the wall. This indoor unit takes the place of the furnace mounted coil and ductwork. Pretty niffty!
These ductless split systems are very energy efficient, and they allow you to regulate the temperature in up to four separate areas, with just one outdoor condenser, and four indoor units.
Benefits: lower operating costs; can be used where ductwork is not possible (or too expensive); tightly controlled temperature areas
Downside: The indoor units, mounted on the wall, are not necessarily pretty to look at (about 10″ high and 36 or so inches wide, hugn high on the wall. Although less expensive than running new ducts AND AC, the equipment is generally a little more expensive than the standard split AC system.
I know there are other pros and cons, this is all my little brain could come up with at the moment. They are a great problem solver for many applications. I just want you to be aware of your choices, if and when you need AC.
Now, finally, the part about heating. When purchased in the “Heat Pump” version, the ductless split systems will provide both heat and cooling. The way they do it, in very basic terms, is by reversing the Air Conditioning, when heat is needed. The only caution here is that it costs the same to heat as it does to cool. In very moderate climates this may be ok, but in cold climates, the heat will be expensive to use.
Toodle Loo Rich Johnson