The most common type of air conditioner that is installed in St. Louis area homes is the split system. This type of air conditioner utilizes (among other things) an outdoor condensing unit, an indoor air handler, and a duct system that distributes air throughout the home. However, some situations require air conditioning where ductwork is not an option. That’s where ductless air conditioning can help. Today we’re going to talk about what ductless air conditioning is and when it’s a smart idea to use it in your home!
What is ductless air conditioning?
As its name suggests, ductless air conditioning is a style of residential cooling that does not utilize any ductwork. This type of system is called a ductless mini-split system.
A ductless mini-split air conditioner has one outdoor condensing unit, just like a standard central air conditioning system. However, instead of ductwork, a ductless mini-split system utilizes one or more indoor units that are installed directly onto the wall of a room. The indoor and outdoor units are connected by refrigerant lines, and you can install indoor units in any space that you’d like. Keep in mind, however, that each indoor unit can only cool one room or section of your home.
When is ductless air conditioning a good option?
In most homes, standard split-system air conditioners are the best option to effectively and efficiently deliver cool air. However, there are some scenarios in which installing ductless air conditioning is a better option, most notably when:
- You want to cool a space that doesn’t receive central A/C.
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- One of the most popular uses of ductless air conditioning is to provide cooling to a space in your home that does not currently receive central air conditioning. Some good examples would be a garage, woodshed, or attic that you often utilize but that does not have access to your home’s ductwork.
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- You are making an addition to your home. When you are making an addition to your home, sometimes it is difficult or expensive to alter and extend your home’s current ductwork to allow for central cooling. Adding ductless air conditioning would be a simpler option.
- You have an older home. As we discussed last week, many older homes were built before central air conditioning as standard. These homes were not built with ductwork in mind, and many of them still use window air conditioning units. Because ductwork can be difficult to install in many of these homes, ductless air conditioning is a better option that is much more efficient and effective than window units.
If you have any questions about ductless air conditioning, or if you’d like a cooling system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing, your St. Louis area air conditioning contractor. We service the St. Louis area, including towns like Maryland Heights, O’Fallon, and St. Charles, MO.
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