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Difference Between Central AC and Ductless AC
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Homes can have very different air conditioning systems. The two big contenders are duct units and ductless. Each of these offers excellent benefits, the biggest being providing comfort to people in their homes. If you've been shopping around for a new air conditioning unit, it's likely that you've been giving some thought to either one of these. But, what are the differences, and should you really care?
When outfitting your home with a new cooling system, you can choose one that you already have or something new. If you don't currently have ductwork established in your home, putting ductwork in can be quite a task. It can also be more expensive than just replacing a wall unit that you may have already had. Let's take a look at the differences and what to expect.
One Has Ductwork
The most glaring difference between the two is the fact that one has ductwork and the other does not. The ductwork is how air gets through your home from the central unit. A split system doesn't work this way. Instead, a split system will be connected to outside equipment and mounted to a wall inside your home. The downside to this is that the split system will only be able to cool that room and possibly in the adjoining room. It will not be able to cool your entire house.
One Is More Energy-Efficient
One is incredibly more energy efficient than the other. Can you guess which one is? The split system is actually the winner for energy efficiency. This is because you're only cooling one room at a time. If you were to set your thermostat to a higher temperature, you might be able to have comparable energy expenses with the central, but not likely.
One Cools Entire Homes
As mentioned above, one of the biggest drawbacks to a split system is that it only cools one or two rooms. With a central unit, you can cool the entire home down just by pressing one button. This doesn't give you the option for customizing temperatures, though. People that like cooler areas, they may not be so happy about you regulating the system to 75° year-round.
Final Thoughts
You might be on the fence as to what unit is right for your home. At first glance, it can seem that ducted air conditioning is the best option—especially if you already have one installed in your home. However, split systems aren't something to overlook. They have a quiet operation, can quickly cool down a room, and cost less to operate and maintain. Which is right for you? Talking to your HVAC contractor might be the best way to settle the debate.