BOOK SERVICEComparing Central A/C vs. Ductless Mini-Split A/C
The weather is starting to heat up in New England and it’s no surprise that many homeowners in the Boston area are thinking about upgrading their current air conditioning system. The two most common systems available are central A/C and ductless mini-splits, but which is the right choice for you? Don’t worry, the team at McMahon is here to help.
What’s the Difference?
Central A/C and ductless mini-split systems both cool your home, but they accomplish it in two different ways. Central A/C has one main unit that uses vents to distribute cool air throughout your home. Ductless systems use one or multiple wall-mounted indoor units that connect to an outdoor unit with small refrigerant lines.
There’s no one “right” answer for which type of A/C system to install, but rather determining which benefits are more important to you and best suit your home.
Central Air Benefits
Whole-Home Cooling: By using ductwork, central air conditioning continues to be the preferred system for cooling your entire home.
Convenient Controls: With a single-unit design, your temperature controls can be connected to your thermostat system. Many are also compatible with smart home features to control your home’s cooling at different times of the day through your smart devices.
Out-Of-Sight Comfort: Because central A/C utilizes ductwork, outdoor units, and components that are tucked away in unseen areas of your home, the only visible parts of this system are the vents in each room.
Can Increase Home Value: Central A/C is seen as a reliable, desirable feature for potential homebuyers. Installing this system will likely increase the value of your home.
Central A/C Is Great For:
- Larger homes
- New homes
- Homes with existing ductwork
Ductless Mini-Split Benefits
Energy Efficiency: Ductless systems are incredibly energy efficient because they do not require additional energy to push cool air through your vents and allow for zoned cooling, which also cuts down on energy costs.
Zoned Cooling: Energy-savings are just one of the perks of zoned cooling. Zoned cooling allows you to customize your comfort. Each room or zone with a mini-split can be set to its own temperature, which is great for homes with unique floorplans or family members who have different temperature preferences.
Installation Flexibility and Simplicity: Mini-split systems are extremely easy to install because they require little preparation. Not only are the indoor units compact and can be installed on almost any interior wall, but they only require small drill holes to run the refrigerant line to the outside unit.
Year-Round Comfort: Some ductless mini-split systems include a heat pump, which means it can be used as supplemental heat in your home in the colder months.
Ductless A/C Is Great For:
- Older or smaller homes
- Additions, garages, finished attics, and finished basements
- Homes with limited or no ductwork
Related Post: Benefits of Installing a Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump
Request A/C Installation Services with McMahon
The experts at McMahon Plumbing & Heating are here to help you determine which A/C system is best for your Boston home! Our experts will walk you through the entire process and get your new system installed as quickly as possible, so you can enjoy comfortable temperatures in your home for the rest of the summer season. Reach out to our team today for a quote!