If you’re thinking of getting a new HVAC system installed in your Richmond, VA home, there are many reasons why a ductless HVAC setup is an excellent option. There are many benefits that conventional HVAC systems may not be able to provide, such as easy installation, increased energy efficiency, lower utility bills, and zoned cooling and heating. Let’s consider several more benefits of investing in a ductless HVAC system for a small space in your home.
1. Easy to Install
The process of installing a ductless HVAC system is easier and faster compared to central AC and heating that include ductwork. Because there is no need for ductwork when installing a ductless HVAC system, the process is less complicated, and we can usually have it done in just one day if we’re working in a small space. If you are considering an addition to your home, you can add on a ductless system that is just for the addition. You don’t have to extend the ductwork in your home to accommodate your new small space. Such extensive work often results in removing portions of drywall and ceilings in other areas of your home. This quickly becomes a whole-house project.
2. Better Indoor Air Quality
Ductless HVAC systems provide excellent indoor air quality when you compare them to central systems that incorporate ductwork for heating and cooling. The ductless units do not use ducts, so they don’t trap dust, pollutants, debris, and pests. The air the ductless system circulates is safer and fresher for your household. A central AC unit has a duct-based system that has spaces for dust mites to accumulate and breed. These systems can also aid in the accumulation of bacteria and mold in your home. This central air system may increase respiratory problems and allergies as well. Some ductless units have a multi-stage filtration setup that helps get rid of viruses, bacteria, and dust in the air. When you walk into your home, you may notice the improvement in air quality thanks to fresher smelling air.
3. Zones for Heating and Cooling
One of the best things about having a ductless HVAC system is the ability to create heating or cooling zones in your home. You manage each unit independently, so you can set different temperatures in different rooms, regardless of how small they may be. This increases your comfort level and helps you save on energy usage. You don’t have to heat or cool a room that isn’t in use very much. You can easily set a schedule or reminders to turn on units in different zones of your home so you remain comfortable throughout the day, preventing overuse of your heating and cooling equipment.
4. Quiet Operation
Another benefit of installing a ductless HVAC system in your home is that it isn’t very noisy when in use. Indoor ductless units run at low noise levels, so you don’t notice them in a quiet room for remote work or when studying. You also have the option of turning off the heating or cooling function in one area of your home if you need that area to be quiet for the time being. A ductless HVAC system is ideal for a room with children who nap during the afternoon. A ductless system is especially appealing to people who like a peaceful and quiet environment.
5. Costs
You may think that the cost of a ductless HVAC system is high upon receiving your initial estimate. However, over time, they have become very budget conscious. The enhanced solutions for energy savings and the benefit of targeted zones give you a reduction in utilities in the long run. Also, some utility companies may offer incentives if you install an energy-efficient system such as this.
Ductless systems also help you save money when it comes to maintenance costs. Ductless HVAC systems require less maintenance than a central system. You won’t have to worry about having any ductwork cleaned or maintained regularly to keep the airflow and air quality in your home optimal.
6. Enhanced Security for Your Home
A conventional HVAC system may be a disadvantage because it infringes on the structural architecture of your home. Ductwork can allow pests into your home. Ductless systems only require a tiny hole to attach the necessary conduit. Therefore, there are fewer entry points to your home and added security. Ductless systems are much smaller, and they are a much more sealed unit. There are also fewer chances that damage will occur to your ductless HVAC system because there are fewer visible components on the outside of your home.
7. The Value of Your Home
If you purchase a ductless HVAC system, it has the potential to raise the value of your home. Potential buyers look for energy-saving and low-maintenance benefits such as this. Today’s home buyers also tend to focus on efforts to protect the environment as well as lower energy consumption to help offset the price of utilities. If you have a home with no air conditioning or central heating that you are trying to sell, an HVAC system that is ductless is a great option to quickly boost the value and appeal of your home to buyers. This process doesn’t take much time and is often worth the upfront investment.
8. Energy Efficiency
When you decide on getting a ductless HVAC system, one of the major long-term benefits is energy efficiency. The rising cost of electricity is a great reason to look for ways to cut back on your home’s energy usage. Upgrading from a forced-air HVAC system to a ductless one may be exactly what you need to start to see substantial changes in your utility bills. A central air system relies on many ducts to transport the cooled or heated air throughout your home. Throughout this transfer of conditioned air, it’s possible for air to fluctuate in temperature while traveling to its destination. When it gets to the air vent or register, it is not the same temperature as it was when the air started at the blower. This means your air conditioner and furnace work harder and more frequently to get your home to the temperature that you have your thermostat set to.
When there is damage to ductwork, this increases wasted energy. Ductwork problems like holes and cracks cause cooled or heated air to leak from the ducts, increasing the amount of energy lost. A ductless mini-split system doesn’t have ductwork, so you have cool or warm air produced right in the areas that need it.
9. The Versatility and Flexibility of Ductless HVAC
Some of the common small spaces where you can install a ductless system are an area of a finished basement, garages, sunrooms, and guest bedrooms. The flexibility and versatility of a ductless system mean that you can add heating and cooling to small rooms that traditionally don’t offer this benefit without an extensive amount of labor.
At Davis & Green in Richmond, we provide mini-split services, AC repairs, and AC maintenance services for homes in the area. Our friendly team also provides indoor air quality services, heating equipment installation and repairs, generators, and plumbing services. Contact Davis & Green for more information today!