English
Spanish
Using ductwork to distribute the conditioned air from forced-air systems (furnaces and heat pumps) is the long-standing traditional way of heating and cooling homes. But the traditional method now has competition with the ductless mini split heat pump. As a consumer looking for a comfort system for your home, you face choosing between the two. Is one inherently superior? Is new technology the winner, or did tradition become the tradition for good reasons?
We won’t keep you in suspense: the answer is both and neither. The system that will work for your home depends on your home’s individual needs and your plans. We’ll look over some of the advantages and disadvantages of the two in this post, but keep in mind that you will need to consult with HVAC professionals to make the best choice.
For help with ductwork in Greenwich, CT or to find out about ductless mini splits, contact Celco Heating and Air Conditioning.
Ductwork: The Old Standard
The main advantage of ductwork is that it is everywhere. If you are not currently planning to construct a new home or to build a home, you probably have ductwork in the walls and ceilings of your house. Even if you use a boiler for heating, your air conditioner requires ductwork.
The presence of ductwork means that it is easy to have a heat pump installed that simply hooks up to the existing ventilation system. Ductwork systems are also unobtrusive, with the ducts hidden and only small vents needed in rooms.
Ductless: The New Technology
Ductless mini split systems are heat pumps as well, and don’t operate any differently than one in the outdoor cabinet. But instead of sending cooled or heated air from a single indoor unit into ventilation shafts, a ductless mini split heat pump has multiple indoor blower units that connect through refrigerant lines to the outdoor unit. The blowers send the conditioned air directly into the room.
The main advantage here is that it permits flexibility with new construction and saves tremendous space. They are also perfect for add-on rooms. Ductless systems permit zone control: homeowners can choose to heat only the rooms in the house that receive use. However, ductless systems do look more obvious inside rooms (the blower units) and may not be efficient solutions for homes that already have ducts.
We Can Help You Make The Choice
If you have ductwork in your home, you may want to stay with a standard heat pump (or furnace and AC), unless you are building an additional room, in which case ductless can offer great savings. For new construction, give ductless mini splits serious consideration. Celco Heating and Air Conditioning will be there to assist you so that you make the right choice for ductwork and other heating and air conditioning services in Greenwich, CT.
