When shopping for a heating and cooling system for your dwelling, it’s crucial to choose one that balances efficiency, operation and finances. That’s why many property owners look to mini-splits for climate control in their home.
Mini-splits—often referred to as ductless mini-splits—offer several advantages that make them an appealing option for both homes and businesses. They're highly energy efficient, reducing energy consumption and saving on utility expenses, because they avoid the energy losses affiliated with the ductwork found in traditional HVAC systems. They also enable users to tailor the temperature in each room, boosting overall comfort while not wasting energy.
If you’re contemplating mini-split installation in Mount Pleasant, it’s important to first research if these devices are the right solution for your living situation. Here, we’ll investigate how mini-splits stack up against 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 system that has no ductwork. 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 has two major components: an outdoor compressor/condenser and an indoor air-handling component. The two are attached by a conduit carrying the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing and a condensate drain.
Here's how it works: the outdoor compressor moves the refrigerant necessary for heat exchange throughout the coils and the air handler. The indoor unit pulls in air from the room, cools or heats it over the coils and sends the conditioned air back into the room.
Mini-Split vs. Central Air
Mini-splits are good for targeted cooling in specific rooms or zones of your residence. They are excellent for energy efficiency because they only condition the areas you want. However, they sometimes don't blend seamlessly into every room due to the fact they have wall-mounted indoor units.
On the contrary, a central air system uniformly chills your entire home, generating consistent comfort levels throughout. Its ductwork is hidden away, preserving the aesthetics of your home. On the other hand, it might not be as energy efficient as a mini-split, especially in bigger homes or residences where certain rooms may not need constant conditioning.
Mini-Split vs. Window AC/Window Unit
Mini-splits are often more energy efficient and not as loud as a window air conditioning unit and are useful for cooling air in multiple rooms. This is why mini-splits are a flexible choice for countless homeowners. They also operate using a form of refrigerant that is more earth-safe, reducing their environmental impact. These units can even add value to your home due to their reliable nature and superior cooling capabilities. However, they come with a greater initial investment.
On the contrary, window air conditioners are less expensive initially. They are often a good fit for homes that can't accommodate a central Air conditioning system or for families with budget constraints. In spite of these advantages, window units can consume up to 40% more energy than ductless mini-split systems and typically make more noise.
Mini-Split vs. Portable AC
The answer to what is better, a ductless mini-split or a portable air conditioning unit, depends on your priorities. If your main worries are energy efficiency and cooling capability, a mini-split is heads and shoulders better than a portable AC unit. However, if budget is a key concern, a portable AC has a lower initial investment.
Mini-Split vs. Gas Furnace
Deciding between a mini-split system and a gas furnace depends on a range of factors such as the climate in your city, home size, energy efficiency desires and how much you plan on spending.
A mini-split system most of the time is more energy efficient than a gas furnace. It can heat and cool defined areas inside of your home, providing custom climate control in individual rooms. Mini-splits also are for the most part quieter and have a larger up-front cost, but their operating costs are usually less due to their better energy efficiency.
Alternatively, a gas furnace can be a highly effective heating solution, particularly in colder climates where mini-split heat pumps may fail to maintain comfort levels in the bitter cold. Even though they are less energy efficient than mini-splits, gas furnaces ordinarily have lower initial costs. However, their operating costs can be more costly, especially if natural gas prices increase.
Mini-Split vs. Heat Pump
Mini-splits and heat pumps use the process of heat transfer. They are both energy efficient, but a heat pump's ductwork can be less efficient. This difference aside, the choice between a mini-split and a heat pump often relies on a family's needs and circumstances.
Case in point, if you live in a warmer climate and mainly need cooling, a mini-split system might be a more effective choice. However, if you want both heating and cooling and already have ductwork in your home, a heat pump might be a more efficient option.
Mini-Split vs. Space Heater
In regards to heating and cooling a home, mini-splits and space heaters each have advantages. However, for overall efficiency, versatility, comfort and safety, mini-splits outperform space heaters. Mini-splits provide superior energy efficiency simply because they deliver conditioned air directly to different zones and can serve multiple rooms at once.
Space heaters are a great deal less expensive to buy but are typically reserved for heating a limited area or a single room. They also are usually less energy efficient. In contrast to mini-splits, space heaters do not provide cooling. The biggest drawback for space heaters is the danger of fire. Industry experts say some 1,700 fires per year involve space heaters.