Ducted vs. Ductless AC Showdown: Which Will Reign Supreme in Your Home?
This day has come. You may have been waiting and planning for it, or maybe the need to replace and install a new air conditioning system in your home has come upon you like snow from a clear sky. You started researching the issue and were immediately confronted with many options and suggestions for installing air conditioning systems in your home.
Ducted vs. Ductless Air Conditioners: Make the Right Choice
The two main are installing a traditional ducted air conditioning system and the second option is installing a ductless one. Someone may have suggested that you furnish your home with fans, but that's not our option. With Richair experts, let's figure out what is behind the slight difference in the words “ducted” and “ductless,” and the huge difference that installing each of these systems makes for your home.
Everything Has Its Place: Pros and Cons of Ducted and Ductless AC
As it is easy to guess when we talk about duct and ductless air conditioners, their main difference lies in the principle of installation and work inside the premises, hence the system's name—duct and ductless.
- Ductless air conditioning relies on a network of ductwork to distribute cold air throughout the room, while ductless air conditioning works through individual indoor units. A ductless air conditioner provides centralized cooling, constant temperature control, and uniform airflow throughout the room. It's ideal for large rooms and provides aesthetic benefits by hiding the system behind walls or ceilings.
- On the other hand, ducted air conditioners are flexible and easy to install, allowing the temperature to be adjusted independently in different areas. It is suitable for small spaces and provides energy efficiency due to the absence of air loss through ductwork.
Comprehensive Comparison of Ducted and Ductless Air Conditioners
If you briefly answer whether equally well ductless and ducted air conditioning systems cool, the premises can answer yes, but! And that's the whole point. After all, even the most expensive and high-quality system improperly installed or selected not for the fitting room will fail its task. So let's examine different air conditioning systems' main differences and purposes.
Benefits of Ductless Air Conditioners
- Ductless air conditioners, or mini-split systems, are ideal for areas where ductwork is impossible or undesirable.
- Channel Free systems allow for targeted cooling as air does not need to be routed through ductwork.
- With ductless air conditioners, you can adjust the temperature in different areas of your home.
- Ductless systems are a great option for retrofitting older homes or buildings that lack ductwork infrastructure.
Advantages of Ducted Air Conditioners
- Ducted air conditioners are suitable for cooling large areas or entire homes because they can evenly distribute conditioned air through a network of ducts.
- Ducted air conditioners tend to be quieter because noisy components, such as the compressor and fan, are outside the living space.
- With a ducted system, you can control your home's temperature and settings using a single thermostat or control panel.
It may seem that both systems have exceptional advantages, but again, it all depends on the specific installation site and the tasks that the system must perform.
What Cools Better - Let’s Talk About the Effectiveness of Different AC
Both ducted and ductless air conditioning systems have their advantages regarding cooling efficiency. Understanding their efficiency will help you decide based on your specific needs.
- Ductless air conditioning systems are great for cooling large rooms or entire homes. By distributing conditioned air through a network of ductwork, these systems can maintain a constant temperature throughout a room. They are especially effective in multi-room spaces, providing uniform cooling and eliminating hot spots. Duct systems also offer improved air quality because they often include air filtration systems that remove dust, allergens, and pollutants.
- Mini-split systems provide superior cooling efficiency in targeted areas. Ductless systems eliminate the energy loss associated with ductwork by directly cooling specific areas or rooms. This makes them very energy efficient and economical in terms of utility bills. In addition, ductless systems provide installation flexibility, making them ideal for spaces where ducting is not possible or desirable.
Regarding overall cooling efficiency, the choice between ducted and ductless systems depends on room size, desired level of control, and budgetary considerations. Ducted systems are more suitable for large rooms and provide centralized management, while ductless systems provide zone cooling and easy installation. Evaluating your specific requirements will help you determine which method will cool better for your needs.
Ducted vs. Ductless Air Conditioners: Which System Is Easier to Set Up
This is where we get our first winner. After all, the installation system of ductless air conditioners is familiar to standard HVAC systems. Let's look at the installation features of each method.
Installation of Ductless Air Conditioners
Installation of ductless is relatively simple and requires minimal intervention. These systems consist of an outdoor unit connected to one or more indoor units by refrigerant lines, eliminating the need for extensive ductwork. A small hole drilled in the wall allows easy routing of refrigerant lines and electrical connections, making installation quick and unencumbered. The ease of the installation process also reduces the overall time required to create a ductless system.
Installing Ducted Air Conditioners
Installing ducted air conditioners is a more complex process. It usually involves designing and installing a network of ductwork throughout your apartment or home. This requires more time and intervention, including cutting out walls, ceilings, or floors to accommodate the ductwork. In addition, points such as airflow optimization and balancing must be considered to ensure the entire room is cooled effectively.
Ergonomics and Ecological Impact - Which AC System Is Better
Having been installing air conditioners for many years, we at Richair Comfort Solutions know that well-tuned air conditioning systems can perform well in terms of energy efficiency and environmental performance. However, it still does not compare to ductless mini-split systems. Let's have a look at concrete figures.
- Duct systems distribute conditioned air through a network of ducts, which can cause some energy losses. In the U.S., the minimum energy efficiency standard for new ducted air conditioners is a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) 14. However, many high-efficiency models are rated SEER 18 or higher, providing significant energy savings.
- Ductless systems eliminate the need for ductwork, reducing energy waste and increasing efficiency. In the U.S., ductless air conditioners typically have a SEER rating of 20 to 30. Some models even exceed these ratings, reaching SEER 40 or more—this high-efficiency results in lower energy consumption and reduced environmental impact.
Considering all this, ductless air conditioners outperform standard systems in terms of energy efficiency and environmental performance due to lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Any System Will Work Better if You Choose the Right Installer
It's up to the small stuff once we know which system is right for what, which is best to choose, and how best to use it. Refrain from stumbling at the last step and choosing a reliable company to install the system you like. After all, installing an air conditioner is not plugging in the socket and enjoying the coolness. It is a design and installation and even design work.
