For years, air conditioning has been considered a luxurious feature in any space in the United States, whether for your home or business. 90% of Americans have heating and cooling systems in their homes. However, HVACs, like all appliances, eventually become outdated and can increase your energy bill by hundreds of dollars. That’s why most people are swapping out their old units and trading them in for a more energy-efficient option like ductless mini split systems. At Fused Electric, our team specializes in residential electric and ductless HVAC services to provide seamless swaps across Lehigh Valley, PA.
What Is a Ductless HVAC Unit?
A ductless mini split system, often referred to as a ductless air conditioning system, is essentially one outdoor unit and one indoor unit that is often wall-mounted, connected by refrigerant lines. To determine if a ductless mini split is right for your home, decide what you want in your home system. You can have multiple indoor units dispersed around your space that connect to one outdoor unit to provide maximum airflow. We also offer a more individualized option designed to provide optimum heating and cooling comfort to a single area. We call this a multi-zone system vs. a single-zone system.
Ductless systems are also great for zoned heating and cooling, allowing you to control the temperature in different parts of your home without running ductwork through each area. This means that ductless mini-split systems can be a more efficient option for homes with irregularly shaped rooms or other layouts.
How Do Ductless Mini-Split Systems Work?
Most systems include an indoor unit with an evaporator coil and a blower fan; the outdoor unit consists of a compressor, condenser coil, and a fan. The two units are connected with copper refrigerant tubing and electrical wiring. The outdoor compressor starts by pumping the chemical refrigerant through the tubing into the indoor unit’s coil. The liquid refrigerant then turns to gas, which removes all heat and humidity from the air blowing through the indoor unit’s coil, turning the once-warm air into cool, crisp air. The heat pump system allows the unit to play in reverse when the user wants to heat a room.
How Long Does it Take to Install a Ductless Mini-Split System?
Our technicians at Fused Electric take an average of 2 days total for ductless mini-split installation; however, each home is different. Nonetheless, this is a fraction of the average full installation time for mini-split systems, making it an obvious choice for most homeowners. In addition, the combination of ductless systems and heat pumps is unencumbered by ductwork restrictions, eliminating the risk of inaccurate sizing, leakage, and accumulated debris and dirt. Bypassing the limits also allows our technicians to install the units in particular positions to avoid noise, increase comfort, and again lower costs. Finally, these systems provide both heating and cooling and only require a single hole in the wall, making it the ideal situation for most homeowners, no matter the size or age of their home.
What Kind of System Is Best for My Home?
You might be surprised to find out that multiple types of materials suit different areas best, making it easy to create a ductless mini-split that’s right for your home. For example, four different kinds of materials can be used to develop ductless mini-split installations; therefore, they can be customized to your home. Choosing the right system for your home and lifestyle is essential when considering ductless mini-split installation. With the right ductless mini split system, you can enjoy a comfortable living environment all year round.
Sheet Metal
The most useful and common material is sheet metal, usually galvanized steel or aluminum. The thickness of the steel makes for the most durable and draft-proof material for the ducts. In addition, it makes the ducts easy to clean, eliminating mold growth and providing an environment that promotes prime air quality. This makes it the ideal ductless mini split right for your home.
Fiberglass
This material is a close second to sheet metal as it contains similar qualities, but unlike sheet metal, fiberglass includes an extra layer of insulation to limit heat loss. Fiberglass creates the most silent systems making it very popular in office spaces. However, the rigid surface can make it harder to maintain and often requires intense cleaning, which breaks down its durability over time.
Fiberboard
Some ducts are made of fiberboard, which is fiberglass strands held together by resin; foil is added to increase insulation. One of the upsides of having fiberboard ducts is that they can be molded to fit any space. However, the surface of the fiberboard is textured, which is not ideal for air quality over time.
Flexible Ducts
Flexible ducts are made out of steel coils covered in plastic; this provides a smooth surface that requires little maintenance. This material also allows ductless mini-split installation to be done in the smallest of spaces.
Trust the Experts at Fused Electric
At Fused Electric, we pride ourselves on providing the best-fit system for your space. We provide services on everything from ductless mini-split installation to electrical generators in Lehigh Valley, PA, and can answer any questions you may have on everything in between.
Call us today to speak with one of our highly qualified technicians before the blazing summer begins to find out if a ductless mini split is right for your home!
