A Guide to Ductless Mini-Split HVAC Systems

Couple Couch Ductless AC

A Guide to Ductless Mini-Split HVAC Systems

May 25, 2019

Couple Couch Ductless AC

Ductless mini-split systems have been around for a while, but they’ve changed significantly since their invention. Modern ductless mini-split systems are sleeker and more effective than their predecessors. They’re quickly becoming a popular alternative climate control choice. If you’re thinking about installing a ductless mini-split system in your Longview, Texas, home, we’ve created this guide to help you decide if one is right for you.

What They Are

Ductless mini-split systems are alternatives to traditional central air conditioning systems. While not intended to completely replace a central system, they work well as supplemental devices and can provide excellent climate control in your home.

Each system consists of two main components: one interior and one exterior. The only construction required to install these systems is a small hole in an exterior wall of your home. Therefore, they’re a great choice for homeowners who don’t want extensive remodeling to install a new system.

The interior portion of the ductless mini-split system often mounts high on the wall in order to best distribute air in the selected room. Former systems were much clunkier and could be loud. But modern ductless mini-splits are extremely quiet and much more subtle.

How They Work

Ductless mini-split systems work similarly to traditional central HVAC systems. They use refrigerant to capture the heat in your home and move it to the outside portion of the system where it’s cooled and returned to your interior to supply fresh air.

As previously stated, all this system needs is a small three-inch hole drilled in the wall through which the drain, refrigerant and electrical lines pass. They’re a fantastic alternative to window-mounted units and bulky systems that take up a lot of space.

Ductless mini-split systems also use an inverter-driven compressor. It works by speeding up or slowing down the system’s processes. As a result, it helps you save energy by never completely shutting off during normal functioning.

Pros of Ductless Mini-Split Systems

There are a number of pros associated with ductless mini-split systems. Thanks to their lack of ductwork, they save significantly more energy than central systems. In addition, their filtration system can remove most, if not all, unwanted contaminants from your home’s air.

Since they don’t connect to the main system and require no ductwork, ductless mini-split systems can reduce the strain on the central system without requiring the expensive and difficult process of installing ductwork. You can install them in any room of the house, so long as there’s access to the exterior.

This makes them an ideal choice for several situations. New home additions may add on square footage your central unit isn’t large enough to handle. Instead of extending ductwork and buying a new central system, a ductless mini-split can pick up the slack.

Historic homes that have either limited central air or none at all are another great candidate for a ductless mini-split. This is especially true with historic homes built in such a way that ductwork installation is impossible.

Finally, you can install ductless mini-split systems to zone your home. If you have a family member who prefers or requires a different temperature than the rest, a ductless mini-split system can function as their own personal climate control technology. It’ll work independently from the rest of the home to keep them comfortable without changing the overall temperature of your home.

Are you interested in adding a ductless mini-split to your home? Don’t settle on anything but the best. Call JD’s A/C at (903) 336-6041 to set up an appointment today. Our team of experienced service technicians will make sure your system operates at peak efficiency and saves you money.

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R-22 to R-410A: What You Need to Know About the Refrigerant Phase Out

Man Checking Air Conditioner AC

R-22 to R-410A: What You Need to Know About the Refrigerant Phase Out

May 22, 2019
Man Checking Air Conditioner AC

The refrigerant is one of the most vital parts of the HVAC system in your Overton, Texas, home. In the coming months, there will be some major changes to refrigerants. R-22, once the most common refrigerant, is being replaced with the more eco-friendly R410-A. We’ve made this guide to help get you in the know about the transition.

Timeline of the Transition

The transition away from R-22 has actually been happening for a few years. If you purchased an HVAC system after 2010, chances are your system already operates on R410-A. This was the cutoff date for HVAC manufacturers to make the switch over as mandated by the EPA. The newest deadline for refrigerant replacement is January 1, 2020. After this date, it’ll be illegal to import or produce R-22 in the United States.

Difference Between Products

There’s a good reason R410-A is replacing R-22. R-22 contains chemicals that are extremely toxic to the environment, and it’s responsible for much of the current ozone depletion. The new product, R-410A, is significantly more eco-friendly without any ozone-damaging ingredients.

In addition to being more environmentally friendly, R-410A works at a significantly higher pressure level than R-22. This higher pressure combined with its chemical properties makes R410-A far more efficient than R-22. As a result, your house cools faster with fewer utilities consumed.

Why Switch

If you have a system that runs on R-22, you may wonder why you should switch to an R-410A system. HVAC systems are expensive, after all. However, costs associated with R-22 units will start to rise dramatically once the ban takes effect.

R-22 will become more costly as supplies decrease. This means any repairs to refrigerant leaks will become substantially costlier. R-410A machines will have lower upkeep costs, plus the more efficient functionality makes it an attractive choice overall.

Are you interested in making the switch to an R-410A unit? Give JD’s A/C a call at (903) 759-7483 to set up an appointment today with one of our expert service technicians!

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3 Tips for Improving Home Humidity Levels

Thermostat Moisture

3 Tips for Improving Home Humidity Levels

May 17, 2019
Thermostat Moisture

Keeping the humidity in your Kilgore, Texas, home balanced helps maintain a healthy indoor air quality. Too little humidity can lead to dry, itchy skin, while too much can lead to allergy-like symptoms and discomfort. Here are three ways you can improve your home humidity levels to keep your family healthy and comfortable:

Use a Humidifier

Humidifiers are handy tools that can not only add moisture into your home’s air but also take it away. As a system dedicated to humidity, it’s one of the best choices for balancing your home’s overall moisture levels. You can choose between smaller one-room units or whole-home systems if humidity is a constant issue. These pieces of home comfort technology can automatically sense the humidity level in the air and address it accordingly.

Install Ventilation

Activities that generate a lot of steam can also affect your home’s overall humidity level. Normal home activities, like boiling water or taking a hot shower, can introduce a lot of extra water into the air. Ventilation systems pull this moisture-laden air from your home and disperse it outside. As a result, they leave your home more evenly balanced. To work effectively, they need to run for a little while after you finish the activity. For example, after you finish your shower, leave the ventilation on for at least five more minutes to remove all of the stream.

Seal Your Home

The seals in your home are an important part of preserving healthy home humidity levels. If your window and door seals have leaks, outdoor air can sneak inside. Since your HVAC system hasn’t treated it, this air can have lots of extra humidity, leading to an overall humid home. Get your seals checked out every few years to ensure their integrity.

Are you concerned about the moisture levels in your home? The experts at JD’s A/C can help. Call us at (903) 759-7483 to schedule an appointment today!

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