When it comes to adding air conditioning to your home, a traditional central air conditioning system can’t work without adequate ducting. This is where investing in a ductless AC unit can be the ideal choice. Below, we’ll discuss the key things you’ll want to consider when purchasing a new ductless AC system for your home.
Understand Your Cooling Needs
One of the most important considerations is your home’s actual cooling needs. You can typically determine this by understanding your total square footage, ceiling height, sunlight exposure, and so forth. Each particular room in your home will have its own ductless AC indoor air handler that’s appropriately sized for that specific space. The larger the space, the bigger the unit you’ll need.
For example, most HVAC experts recommend getting a 9,000-BTU unit for a room that’s between 300 and 400 square feet. However, if you have a room that’s between 700 and 1,000 square feet, you’ll need a unit that’s 18,000 BTUs. Our HVAC experts can assess each room of your home to determine the appropriate unit size based on a specialized and precise Manual J formula.
Decide What Efficiency Rating You Can Afford
There’s no doubt that ductless mini-splits are one of the most efficient air conditioning systems on the market today. The more efficient the air conditioning system you purchase, the lower your energy bills will be throughout the summer months. However, it’s also important to realize that the more efficient an air conditioner is, the more expensive it will be.
Most homeowners need to find a good balance between up-front cost and long-term energy savings to fit their unique budget. All air conditioners have an efficiency rating, known formally as a seasonal energy efficiency ratio or SEER for short. Typically, most homeowners will benefit from investing in a ductless mini-split system with a SEER rating of 18 or higher.
When talking about efficiency ratings, we also need to discuss the tax rebates that are available when you purchase a new air conditioner for your home. Most ductless mini-split units will qualify because they have an ENERGY STAR certification. However, it’s vital to check the minimum SEER2 ratings classified on ENERGY STAR’s website to determine if the unit you’re purchasing will make you eligible to receive a tax credit.
This tax credit is given under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Homeowners can qualify for up to $3,200 in the form of a tax credit on their annual federal income taxes. This can go a long way in helping you to recoup some of the up-front costs associated with purchasing a new home air conditioning system.
Determine Indoor Unit Mounting Style
Another thing to consider when purchasing a ductless mini-split for your home is the type of indoor air handler units you want. These units come in three different styles, which are wall-mounted, floor-mounted, and ceiling-mounted. Wall-mounted units are the most common and budget-friendly option available.
Floor-mounted units look similar to a radiator and work for rooms with very low ceilings or when you want to add a unit to a knee-wall space. Ceiling-mounted units, also known as cassette units, are the most discreet and great for large open areas in your home. They’re typically more expensive than the floor or wall-mounted units.
Operational Noise
Ductless mini-splits are available in a range of different noise levels depending on your unique needs. The lower the decibel rating for a unit, the more expensive it will be. When it comes to your indoor air handler units, choosing a lower decibel rating is ideal for spaces like your bedrooms or home office. Aim for air handler units with a decibel rating of 25 or under as this is comparable to the sound of a whisper.
Condenser units will operate slightly louder, which typically isn’t a big deal because they’re positioned outside your home. Most homeowners are fine with a condenser unit operating at between 50 and 60 decibels. However, if your condenser unit will be placed near your window or a patio space, you may want to invest in a quieter unit since you’ll want the space directly around that unit to be quiet.
Number of Zones
When you’re establishing a ductless mini-split system for your home, you’re typically putting in multiple indoor air handler units. It’s crucial to realize that the outdoor condenser unit is specifically designed to handle up to a set limit of indoor air handler units. For example, you can purchase a condenser unit that accommodates up to two indoor air handler units or one that accommodates four or even six.
If you’re on a budget, you may opt for only installing two or three indoor air handler units. However, you may want to consider purchasing a condenser unit that can accommodate more units in the future. For example, consider purchasing a condenser unit that can accommodate six indoor air handler units. This will give you the ability to add more units in the future when your budget allows you to better control the temperature inside your home.
Special Features
Ductless mini-split systems can come with a lot of extra features to make them more convenient and functional for your home. While some of these features can increase the price of your system, they can be super-convenient and well worth the investment. One of the most desirable is Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can alter the settings on each individual unit regardless of whether you’re at home or away.
The efficiency of your ductless mini-split is highly dependent on having a clean filter. As soon as your filter gets too dirty, it can restrict the flow of air through the unit and severely minimize its operating performance. Many newer mini-split systems come with an auto-reminder feature that will send an alert to your smartphone to remind you to clean the filter.
Another very desirable feature is self-cleaning. These units are specifically designed to automatically clean their internal components on a routine basis. This helps minimize the presence of any bacteria, mildew, mold, or even dust inside your system. You can enjoy protection from reduced system efficiency, bad odors, and poor indoor air quality when you get a unit with self-cleaning technology.
Importance of Professional Assistance
When considering a new ductless mini-split system for your home, it’s best to consult one of our HVAC technicians. This will ensure that you get appropriately sized indoor air handler units and a condenser unit to fit your cooling needs. Additionally, many system manufacturers will require that a professional certified technician do the installation to maintain the warranty coverage on your unit. You want to avoid DIY installs as doing so can void the warranty coverage.
Exceptional Ductless Mini-Split Installation Service
O’Brien Heating & Air Conditioning offers exceptional ductless mini-split installation service for Drexel Hill, PA. Our knowledgeable HVAC technicians can also gladly assist with all your ductless mini-split replacement, repair, and maintenance needs. Just call our friendly office staff today to book your next service call with one of our helpful HVAC technicians.