Managing indoor comfort in your Longview, Texas, home can be a challenge. With unpredictable temperatures and weather spikes, you may feel like you’re constantly adjusting the thermostat. One way to boost home comfort while improving energy efficiency is to install a ductless HVAC system. Take a closer look at this option to figure out if it’s a good fit at your home.

How Ductless HVAC Systems Work

A ductless HVAC system, as its name suggests, doesn’t rely on ducts to move heated or cooled air. Instead, this type of system uses multiple mini-split units placed in various zones around the house. Mini-splits have two main components: the indoor air-handling unit and the outdoor unit that contains the condenser and compressor.

For many homeowners, ductless units supplement central heating and air conditioning systems. You can add several mini-split units to provide more targeted heating and cooling, which reduces the pressure on your central HVAC system while maintaining a more comfortable atmosphere. When you want to cool or heat certain rooms, simply adjust the temperature on that room’s unit rather than heating or cooling the entire home.

Advantages of Ductless HVAC Systems

Ductless HVAC systems come with a number of benefits, one of which is flexibility. It’s easy to adjust one unit in the room you’re currently using without having to worry about the AC running all day to cool the entire home. In two-story homes, a ductless unit on the upper level can provide much-needed cooling when it’s hotter upstairs. Many models can connect up to four indoor units via a single outdoor unit.

Improved efficiency is another benefit of ductless HVAC systems. Because the air isn’t moving through ducts, you don’t have to worry about air loss through gaps and leaks. Air loss can account for a significant portion of energy usage in your HVAC system, especially when ducts are installed in an area of the home that isn’t air conditioned, like the attic or crawlspace. Ducts can also harbor contaminants, decreasing the indoor air quality.

When you rely on a ductless system more often, you can reduce the amount of pressure put on your central HVAC system. As a result, you’ll extend its lifespan.

Disadvantages of Ductless HVAC Systems

One of the drawbacks of installing a ductless system in your home is the expense. The cost varies, depending on the size and needs of your home. The average cost of a ductless HVAC installation is around $1,500 per 12,000 BTU of cooling capacity per hour.

Some customers don’t like the look of the indoor units, which are often mounted on the ceiling or the wall. A central unit, on the other hand, relies on ducts, which are hidden behind the walls or between the floors. That way, you won’t see the components as much in your home.

Installation Process

If you decide to move forward with a ductless system, it’s important to contact an HVAC team with experience in this area. Not all HVAC companies offer ductless options, nor are all service technicians experienced enough to handle the installation process.

At JD’s A/C, installing ductless systems is one of our specialties, so we’re happy to install a system at your home. We start by calculating the load and determining the needs of your home. These calculations will involve analyzing the layout of the house, the number of rooms and the overall size.

Improperly sized HVAC units can cause problems. A unit that’s too small can’t keep up with the needs of the space. An oversized unit tends to run on a shorter cycle, which can waste energy and cost you more each month. When we install your ductless system, we’ll make sure to choose the proper size and provide you with units that will deliver the benefits you want.

Do you want to learn more about ductless HVAC and the benefits these heating and cooling systems can offer? Contact JD’s A/C at (903) 336-6041 for expert advice and friendly service.

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