The average centralized air conditioning system uses up to 5,000 watts of electricity. That’s about $4 per day and nearly $116 a month. Central air is a common system to provide a home with both heating and cooling. It circulates air through a system of ducts throughout the home. Ductwork is typically run under flooring, behind walls, or above the ceilings, but the efficiency of these systems is often pitted against the ductless split system. But what is a ductless air conditioner, and how efficient is it in comparison to the typical centralized air? Would it be a great option for your home? Keep reading to learn more about the efficiency of a split-system air conditioner.
What is a split-system air conditioner?
A split air conditioner often refers to a ductless or a mini-split system. Both of these use an indoor compressor and an indoor unit to force airflow. These are becoming more popular because they’re easy to install, improve indoor air quality, are low-maintenance, and add value to the home. Plus, split-system air conditioners and ductless air conditioners both don’t run up your electricity bill. Although the cost might seem steep, the cost of replacing ductwork or adding more ducts to an existing system will cost more in the long run.
How does it work?
Instead of using ductwork, the ductless system pumps a gas refrigerant through a cooling circuit to remove heat from your home. These are also known as mini-splits because they use the indoor and outdoor units. The indoor unit blows air over evaporator coils, and the gas refrigerant absorbs the heat, which brings it to the outside unit. The outside unit then dumps the heat outdoors, removing air from your home. Because there’s an indoor unit connected, there’s no need for any ductwork. This is perfect for an additional room in a house where ductwork isn’t available, or it’s a great addition to a room that doesn’t get good airflow. Multiple indoor units can also connect to a single outdoor unit.
Is a split-system air conditioner efficient?
A split-system AC is significantly more efficient than a regular ducted air conditioning system. It can cut electricity costs by a whopping 30 percent. When you use the air conditioning that relies on ductwork, the air has to travel throughout all of the ducts in order to cool the room. But with a ductless system that is split into indoor and outdoor units, the system doesn’t have to work as hard. That’s because they’re connected more seamlessly and the air doesn’t have to go through any ducts. They also have fans that change speeds depending on the indoor and outdoor conditions for maximum efficiency. The system stays on to maintain a specific level of temperature, which saves energy throughout the day. And since you can have multiple indoor units, you get to set different temperatures for different areas of the house. You don’t have to pay to keep an empty room cool. And it’s a great solution if you’re trying to cut energy costs.
How does a ductless mini-split compare to central air?
In comparison to central air conditioning, you won’t have to pay for the maintenance of a duct system. You also don’t use as much energy to run a split AC. Plus, ductless systems add value to your home. They’re quieter and a lot easier to install.
While the upfront costs of a ductless system might seem daunting, you save a lot of money in the long run. Central air uses a lot more energy, and you don’t get to be as selective with your thermostat. For maximum efficiency, choose a split AC system and contact your local cooling and heating services for installation.
