Ductless vs. Traditional AC Systems

Choosing the right AC system is essential to ensure the best fit for your home and needs. Maybe you’ve heard, but there are a few major differences between traditional and ductless air conditioning systems. Knowing the key features can help you determine which type is best for your home.

Our team at Skelton’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has got your back. There are benefits and drawbacks to these two different types of cooling units. Keep reading to learn their differences before you decide which one to purchase for your home!

The Difference Between Traditional vs. Ductless Air Conditioners

There are many similarities between ductless and traditional systems, also known as central air conditioners. Since they’re both cooling systems, they utilize an outdoor condenser coil and an evaporator coil in an indoor air handler. Coolant is used between both units. It carries heat from indoors that is released through the outdoor unit.

In a traditional air conditioner, cool air is sent through the air handler and into the ductwork, where it’s carried into the rest of the home. Unlike traditional AC systems, mini-splits don’t involve ductwork. The ductless technology uses a slim cable to connect the two units to produce appropriate temperatures in your living space. Ductless mini-splits are one of the more recent developments in HVAC technology and work effectively to keep your house cool.

Pros And Cons Of Traditional AC

Central AC systems work well if your home is large or you want one uniform temperature throughout your home. The cost to install a traditional cooling unit upfront also costs significantly less than a mini-split system.

One drawback of having a traditional cooling unit is that it doesn’t work well if you want personalized comfort in each room. For example, if people in your household each have a different temperature preference, the system will not be able to adjust to a specific temperature for each room. The utility bill will also cost more since these systems use more energy than mini-split systems by not having ducts.

Advantages Of A Mini-Split AC

Ducts on a traditional AC system can be difficult to maintain, which may cause people to consider the switch to a mini-split. The advantages of this technology are:

• Easy installation
• Less energy usage
• Less maintenance
• Personalized comfort for each room

If all these features sound helpful to you, it might be time to consider getting a mini-split system. At Skelton’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we are able to help you determine if your home is well-suited for ductless technology!

Disadvantages Of Ductless Air Conditioning

Although a mini-split air conditioning unit has many benefits, it’s not the best match for every home. Before making the investment, consider some of the disadvantages of a ductless cooling unit. A few drawbacks are:

• Costly installation
• Labor-intensive repairs
• The unit struggles in extreme temperatures
• Not always compatible with large homes

Ultimately, the decision between ductless and traditional air conditioning will depend on what you feel is best for your home and lifestyle. Either way, both systems work in any home, but one might be better suited for your individual needs. An AC technician from Skelton’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can advise which system would benefit your space based on your preferences.

Birmingham Ductless AC installation

Now that we’ve laid out the key information for each system, it’s time for the next step: installation. Our team of professionals at Skelton’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing provides ductless AC installation in Birmingham and surrounding areas. We are here to help at any stage of the process. If ductless cooling is for you, give our team a call to schedule your next appointment!