When you install a new heating and cooling system, you will likely aim to meet a number of basic requirements. Of course it needs to be able to heat your home efficiently, using as little energy as possible, while ensuring that the temperature is as close to ideal as possible.
This comes down to the installation, the quality of the product, but also the solution that you choose. One of the biggest decisions you’ll make to this end, is between a ductless heating and cooling system, or one that uses ducts.
The Difference
As the name implies, a ductless heating and cooling system is any system that doesn’t rely on ducts to heat and cool a property. These are units that tend to be fitted on a wall, and that will then allow you to heat and cool specific rooms by altering the air flow.
(Typically, the term won’t apply to radiators and boilers, seeing as these heat rooms but don’t cool.)
Pros and Cons of Going Ductless
So what are the benefits of going ductless?
For one, a ductless system will typically be more efficient with higher SEER ratings. Likewise, if you have a building where you regularly only have one room full at a time, then ductless air conditioners are the more suitable option. The problem with ducts is that are designed for the entire property to have its rooms heated to the same degree – it’s all or nothing. While you might be able to shut the vents in one room, it’s not the same as turning on just a single unit to heat or cool the specific room that it’s in.
So what ductless air conditioners do is to provide an oasis of heat. This works using a variety of methods. One is to use a window unit – this sits in the window meaning that you have to have the window constantly partially open which is of course a downside of that method. Here the cool air from outside is pumped into the room and cleaned at the same time while the warm air is circulated outside.
As for the negatives, a ductless system will of course be less suited to larger buildings where you might actually want to heat or cool multiple rooms at once. This is why most office blocks will tend towards duct systems.
A window system of course has the down side of requiring the window to be open while the device is in use and at the same time it can look quite ugly having it jutting out of the side of the building. Even with other types of HVAC options, you will still find that the look is more unappealing – as you need to have a large unit attached to the side of the wall in each room.
In Summary
Ultimately the right decision will come down to the nature of your property, your budget, and your personal preferences. Consult with your installation service if you are unsure.