Ductless Mini-split Systems: Central Air for Older Houses

If your house does not have ductwork ("i.e. ispopularity, and therefore there are more qualified
ductless") you might think that you cannot haveinstallers. It is still important to be sure that your
central air conditioning installed. That was a correctinstaller has experience in this area, and particularly
assumption not too long ago when there weren'twith homes similar to yours. It is also important
effective systems that could be installed in housesthat you get several estimates, as the installation
with forced hot water heating or electric heat. Inof mini-split systems can greatly range in price.
that case, most people had to use bulky, drafty,This is one type of housework where calling
energy inefficient air conditioners that had to bereferences, especially people who have had
put in and taken out of windows seasonally. Andductless mini-split systems installed, is also
you often had to put one in each and everyimportant.
room you wanted to cool.Ductless minisplits increase the resale value of
Recently, however, a new system called theyour home; in fact, in some areas older homes do
ductless mini-split has been brought to the market.not sell because of the prohibitive cost of installing
Now you can have central air no matter howcentral AC. Some people have even installed
your home is currently heated, and you don'tductless minisplit systems in houses with existing
have to change or tear down your currentcentral air in order to save money. This is
system. Ductless mini split systems are as quietparticularly likely in homes where the air travels
as a breeze, and use less energy than otherthrough long, uninsulated ducts before it reaches
systems. They can cover your whole house, andthe vents, or where the vents are large and
even have multiple thermostats so you canunsightly.
control the temperature in different parts of yourOne of the most attractive features of ductless
house.mini splits is how quiet they are. You will not even
The mini- split system is practically invisible. Inknow the system is running, but you will feel the
fact, the small (one to three inch) holes can betemperature drop to a comfortable level. In fact,
located high on your walls, low to the ground, oryou may have been in a home with a ductless
anywhere in between. Your installer may be ableminisplit system and not even known it - you just
to give you advice about where to put them toleave knowing that you were comfortable.
ensure maximum system efficiency. The rest ofThe next time you are carrying that bulky
the system can be installed partially in a crawlwindow air conditioning unit up a flight of stairs to
space or basement, and partially outside. Thereinstall it in a window, or going into a room where
are no visible features inside the house exceptthe air conditioner can't reach, think of installing a
the small holes.ductless mini-split system.
Ductless minisplit systems are growing in