If your home doesn’t have the ductwork for central air conditioning, don’t despair! Ductless AC is an effective alternative that can keep you cool and comfortable on the hottest summer days.Keep reading to learn more about how a ductless AC works and the benefits it can provide for your home.
What is Ductless Air Conditioning?
Unlike central air conditioners, which circulate cool air through a home using ductwork inside the walls, ductless air conditioners — also called “mini-split” air conditioners — link an outdoor compressor to individual wall- or ceiling-mounted units to provide pinpointed comfort.
Ductless AC can be added easily to a home because it doesn’t require major renovations or walls to be opened up. It is also a great solution for cooling additional spaces such as garages or lofts that aren’t connected to your home HVAC systems.
Combining a ductless split system with a heat pump can both cool and heat your home more efficiently while also giving you the flexibility to assign different temperature zones in each room. This makes it a great choice in countries like Canada that need both reliable heating and cooling throughout the year.
How Does a Ductless Air Conditioner Work?
Just like central AC, with a ductless system warm indoor air comes into contact with coils that are cooled by refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant turns to gas and removes humidity and heat from the air. Fans blow that cooler air back into the living space, and any moisture is collected by an evaporator coil and drained outside.
Each indoor ductless AC unit can be controlled individually, meaning ductless air conditioning actually offers more flexibility and room-by-room fine-tuning than central AC.
Like any household technology, ductless AC has both pros and cons, so it’s good get informed before deciding if it’s right for you.