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To duct or not to duct, that is the question.

Understanding the differences between central AC vs. a mini-split AC can be daunting and frustrating. While central air conditioning can be significant and powerful, it may not necessarily be the best choice for you.

Likewise, a smaller and more targeted ductless air conditioner might sound more appealing, but it could struggle to cool your home in the way you desire.

In-Depth Look at Central Air Conditioning Systems

Central air conditioning systems have cooled countless homes across the country, bringing comfort to many, especially in the summer.

Let’s further explore the advantages and disadvantages of mini-split vs. central air conditioning systems.

Comprehensive Whole-Home Cooling

Central air conditioning systems are a complex network of air ducts powered by an outside generator and an indoor unit, which regulate consistent airflow throughout an entire home. The indoor unit has a powerful fan that distributes cool air evenly throughout your home.

Consistent Air Distribution and Filtration

With a powerful generator, cool air can be distributed throughout the entire home, creating a comfortable overall environment. Central ACs can also have built-in advanced filtration systems to provide clean and fresh indoor air.

Integration with Home Heating Systems

A central system can also evenly distribute heating throughout a home, warming up large areas quickly and efficiently with the same connected ductwork and generator.

Drawbacks of Central AC You Should Know

A central AC providing a consistently cool or warm environment also comes with some drawbacks.

Higher Energy Usage in Certain Conditions

The cost of using such a big system can be pretty high. Because central AC cannot target specific rooms, it will always require and use more power to keep the whole house at a desired temperature. This use of additional energy can become expensive over time.

Complex and Costly Installation with Ductwork

If your home does not have pre-existing ductwork and you want a central air conditioning system, then installing proper ductwork is also required. Ductwork installation involves setting up a complex network of air ducts throughout your home, which can cost a lot of time and money.

Limited Zoned Temperature Control

Central air conditioning systems are only designed to cool an entire home, not one or two specific rooms when needed. This means it could take longer to also feel the effects of cool air because of dispersion.

What You Need to Know About Ductless Mini-Split Systems

Born from the innovators at Mitsubishi and Toshiba in Japan, ductless mini-split air conditioning systems have been taking over the world because of their effectiveness, simplicity, and reliability. Now it’s time for us to examine further the costs and benefits of these smaller and quieter units.

Advantages of Ductless Mini-Splits

Ductless mini-split air conditioners operate with an outdoor unit and an indoor unit exchanging and transforming air to a desired temperature within a targeted space or room. This allows for benefits like energy efficiency, zoning control, and more direct cooling.

Energy Efficiency and Lower Operating Costs

A ductless mini-split AC requires less power to run compared to a central AC system. This means that mini-splits are more efficient than central air and operate at a lower cost.

Personalized Temperature Control by Room or Zone

Another advantage of mini-splits over central air conditioning is that you can have separate AC units in different rooms for personalized temperature control. If you are sleeping all night in your bedroom, you can rest assured knowing that you are using less energy and money to stay cool and comfortable.

Minimal or No Ductwork Required for Installation

Installing a ductless mini-split AC means little to no ductwork is required. There is no need to pay for extensive and complex air duct installations.

Potential Limitations of Ductless Mini-Split Systems

The ductless mini-split system is not without drawbacks that should be considered before making a decision. Certain limitations of a ductless min-split system might warrant a central system installation instead.

Initial Equipment and Installation Expense

Because the ductless mini-split system is still relatively new in the U.S., some initial equipment and installation expenses might be higher than those of a centralized system. If your home already has central air conditioning ducts installed, it may be more cost-effective to choose central air conditioning.

Indoor Unit Visibility and Aesthetic Impact

It’s not the ugliest thing in the world, and it could definitely be worse. However, the unit of a ductless mini-split AC is visually more noticeable than a central AC, making it harder to design your interior.

Maintenance Considerations and Air Filtration Differences

The ductless mini-split air conditioning system remains a minor player in the U.S. market, which can lead to higher maintenance costs due to the generally limited availability of technicians with the necessary experience.

Ductless mini-split ACs also have fewer air filtration options.

Comparing Costs: Central AC vs. Ductless Systems

The cost of installing, maintaining, and operating your air conditioning system can accumulate in various ways for both parties. Let’s break down exactly how these two systems compare in terms of cost and AC services.

Installation

Both types of systems can be expensive because of their requirements to penetrate the walls of your home. However, a full central air conditioning system installation will still cost significantly more than a full ductless air conditioning system installation.

Maintenance

When it comes to maintenance, a mini-split system is usually less expensive than a central system because of the size and complexity of the air ducts in a central AC. On the other hand, AC repairs tend to be more expensive in the U.S. for ductless mini-splits because of the current scarcity.

Operation

For operation and energy efficiency, ductless air conditioners are often considered a better choice because they require significantly less power to cool a home.

How to Decide Which AC System Fits Your Home and Lifestyle

How big is your home? Does your home already have air ducts installed? How important is the cost of installation and maintenance for you? How often do you use your air conditioner?

Your needs can be very different from someone else’s, depending on your answers to these questions.

If you have a large home with air ducts already installed and you use the AC often, then a central system might be best for you. If you have a smaller home with or without air ducts and you rarely require air conditioning, then a mini-split system might be best for you.

In the end, the choice is completely up to you, and there is no right or wrong way, only the cool way.

Installation and Maintenance Tips for Both Systems

The installation and key maintenance tasks for each system vary greatly. If your home has no air ducts to begin with, then the cost of installing a central air conditioning system could be significantly more expensive than installing a ductless system.

Additionally, while both systems require annual maintenance to run smoothly, a central air conditioning system can be more expensive due to the complexity of the air ducts.

When to Call a Professional

There are many instances when homeowners should consult an HVAC professional. Our technicians at Home Comfort Experts provide consultations, system repairs, replacements, and installations.

Count on Home Comfort Experts for Ductless and Central AC Installation and Repair

Home Comfort Experts is the company you can count on for any of your ductless or central air conditioner needs. Our experts handle the selection and the full installation or replacement process to ensure the AC runs at peak performance.

Contact us for a free consultation on central vs mini split air conditioner systems.

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Central and Ductless Air Conditioning FAQs

Central and ductless air conditioning systems have different requirements, so it’s easy to get confused about which one might be better than the other for your circumstances.

Here are some common questions regarding central and ductless air conditioning.