Like most people, it’s likely a priority of yours to have functioning heating and air conditioning in your home, as it should be! Having a properly running heating and air conditioning system is crucial for your North Andover home’s comfort and the health of your air.

It’s no known secret that heating and air conditioning units are costly and a tricky item to mess with. There are so many factors to HVACs that you might not know where to begin when updating or looking for a new system. For instance, have you heard about ductless systems? If not, it’s okay.

Ductless systems are wonderful options to consider for your North Andover home’s heating and air conditioning service. If it’s time for you to consider a possible HVAC upgrade. We make installation and maintenance easy! Here is everything you need to know about this option.

What Is A Ductless System?

A ductless unit, or ductless mini-split, is an HVAC system installed in residential homes or commercial buildings that do not require the use of ductwork. This can be a major plus for omitting common and recurring issues many people have with standard HVACS. In fact, you could get the same amount of heat or air with the same energy usage for much less cost-wise than you would with a central unit.

People who have standard central HVACs may notice a rise in energy usage when their system begins to wear out. Because of this, their energy bill is also rising to cover the cost of the extra energy usage. A good thing about using a ductless mini-split is that you could save up to 40% of energy usage compared to the standard unit.

A mini-split also reduces the amount of space around your home consumed with the indoor component to an HVAC unit or any remodels that may need to be done to fit the units inside. Ductless systems are much smaller and can be placed on either your walls, windows, or baseboards, yet they still provide the same amount of heating or air conditioning. You’re getting the same temperature you would get with a standard unit.

Since ductless mini-split systems do not require the use of ductwork in your home, these boxes are connected to the outdoor compressor through a series of wires. That gives you one less part you need to clean or worry about!

Can A Ductless System Provide Heating And Cooling?

Yes, a ductless system provides both heating and cooling, but certain mini-splits are cooling only. The great thing about ductless units is that you have free reign to use them how you please.

Ductless systems are not used to heat or cool your entire home at once unless you have it set that specific way. Instead of having a central ac unit responsible for heating or cooling the entire home, homeowners place ductless systems in the rooms they want to control the temperature for. For example, you might have a ductless system in your living room and another one in your kitchen. Both systems can be going at once while providing different temperatures.

This works perfectly for areas of your home that need to be set to different temperatures. For example, if you live in an older house where one area is colder than the others, a ductless mini-split can help.

You have complete control over the temperatures you set in the rooms you position these heaters and coolers. If you have recently added onto a house or own a business and you’re looking for ways to save money while still feeling comfortable, a ductless mini-split would be the better option instead of a central unit.

Types Of Ductless Systems

If you are interested in installing ductless mini-split systems into your home, you should note the different types to install in your home. There are several different kinds of ductless systems to help fit the varying needs homeowners have, such as the right space to install them and the size/where they will be installed.

The main types of ductless mini-split systems are:

Single-Zone (one room)
Multi-Zone (several rooms connected to one compressor)
Different placements = wall, ceiling, floor mounted mini-splits

To know which type of ductless mini-split is best for your home, you should consider where and how you would like to optimize these items. People who use ductless systems enjoy the small component these boxes are made in. They do not take too much room up on your walls, ceilings, or floors, and they need to have space between them and other things you have hanging on your walls for safety purposes.

It might be hard to know which kind of ductless system you need at first, but with the help of professionals, you can feel confident in your selection of size and where it’s mounted upon installation.

Are Ductless Systems Better Than Central Units?

There are several reasons why homeowners are starting to shift from centra HVAC units to ductless systems. For starters, there’s a lot of energy and money to be saved from these simple systems.

Since ductless systems do not have to produce heat or air conditioning for an entire house, there isn’t much energy being used when these units are on. Also, homes do not need to make massive renovations to accommodate the big indoor component with a standard central unit, which is another plus to ductless systems.

Ductless mini-splits, like the name suggest, also do not require the use of ductwork to pass the air or heat through the home. Instead, they are hooked up to the outdoor compressor through a series of wires, and the change of there being leaks in the ductwork (which results in uneven temperatures) is minimized.

There’s no solid answer to if ductless systems are better than central units. It all comes down to if your home is suitable and can benefit from a ductless system more than a central one. If your home could benefit from the varying use of a ductless system instead of a constant schedule from a central unit, then these systems might be better for your home.

Do North Andover Homes Need A Ductless Unit?

Since Massachusetts is prone to extreme temperatures, even record-breaking ones, homeowners in North Andover would appreciate the flexibility ductless systems offer.

These systems are easier to use than standard central units since they allow homeowners to control the temperature in every room completely. However, there is also the predicament at the energy levels that will be used throughout the year and the varying amount that comes into play during the extremely cold months when central units are hard at work producing heat.

People who live in North Andover need a ductless mini-split for complete control over their unit at different times in the season when the weather can be very unpredictable. In addition, they are easy heaters and coolers to use and do not run on a set schedule as central HVAC units do.

Homeowners do not have to wait for their home to reach a certain temperature before the heat or air kicks on. With a ductless system, homeowners have the freedom to turn on the heat or air whenever they feel like it! This is a major plus to homeowners in North Andover because this means they can use their service to their own discretion and choice.

Ductless Mini Split Pros And Cons

Before you pull the plug on installing a ductless mini-split, you should be aware of the pros and cons that come with these systems.

All in all, there are more pros than there are cons to installing a ductless mini-split. The biggest cons of ductless systems are their up-front costs and aesthetics. Some ductless systems can be chunky and take up a lot of space on a wall or wherever they are placed in a home. They can certainly throw off your decor, but if you’re willing to overlook that, then it might not be a con after all.

The up-front cost is another con to consider since it’s more than a standard unit, but the pro that goes with it is all the money you will save on the back half of installation. In addition, since these units help save energy, you will not be paying as much for your monthly use as a standard HVAC unit.

Since these systems are relatively small in size and do not need ducts to flow the air, you do not have to worry about leaks. This pro alone can also help you save energy and money monthly since leaks cause air to seep out, which puts the system into overdrive.

There may be other pros and cons to consider once your technician assesses your home and the areas you want your mini-splits to be placed in.

The Best Place To Install A Ductless System In Your Home

If you wonder where the best place in your home is to install your ductless system, you have several options! If you have a recently added-on section of your home, an older home, or commercial property, those are all excellent places to add in a ductless mini-split. But if you are transitioning from a standard HVAC, your bedrooms, basements, and room additions are the best areas in your home for these units.

When you install your ductless mini-split, you must stay mindful of where your other items are in your home. For instance, no curtains or wall hangings should be sitting near your system. Whether they are placed on the walls or the baseboards, make sure there is a great deal of space between your unit and the other items you have on the wall.

If curtains cover a ductless system, this could pose a potential risk of starting fires once your curtains get too hot. Your hired technician can help you find the right place in your recommended rooms to install your units and give you advice on what to make sure is away from the system. You should make sure that your system has room to breathe on its own and isn’t crowded by other items, including furniture. Bookshelves, tables, chairs, and couches should all be moved away from the system if you choose a floor-mounted ductless system, so these items do not overheat. You also want to place these units where the air they distribute is easily accessible and flows into the room.

How To Find The Right Company To Install Your Ductless System

Deciding to invest in a new HVAC system is a huge choice. These systems are already not very costly, and unfortunately, the installation of ductless mini-splits is a little more expensive than standard HVACs.

Since this is such a huge investment, you must hire a company that will best help you not only in installing the system but assessing your needs and assisting you in choosing the right product for your North Andover home.

So, where do you start looking for the right heating and cooling company to work with? First, you should do your homework and research close by companies in your area that specialize in HVAC services, especially ductless.

The company you work with should have a strong background in installing these units and have proof of references or positive reviews to back them up. Look for 3 to 4 companies in your area you would like to consult with in person. When you meet with these companies, here are a few things to discuss:

Experience
Cost
Reviews
Services

One of the most significant deciding factors in selecting a company to work with is the cost. You should choose the company that you feel will provide the best work at the best cost, whether that fits your budget or is slightly over or under.

You will be able to tell the kind of work a company performs based on their reviews and work history. Therefore, you must read these reviews beforehand to know you’re selecting a trustworthy company.

What To Expect From Installation When You Get A Ductless Mini-Split?

While ductless mini-split systems can be installed DIY style, you must hire a professional to install the unit since wires need to be hooked up and refrigerant lines need to be cut. The professionals you hire should have your new system installed in just a few hours.

Installing a ductless system is a tedious process. Before your professionals install your system, you will have needed to pick out the kind of ductless system you want and the rooms you would like to put them in. Your hired professional will discuss the appropriate system size for your rooms and needs with you beforehand.

When your hired professionals come in, you should expect them to bring the required tools to cut lines and drill holes where your system will be mounted. In addition, your professional company may have several people working on the installation process if you are installing several units in rooms and the outdoor compressor. Because of this, it is recommended that you have someone at your home while your professionals are at work.

As your hired professionals install your new ductless mini-split, they will hook up the refrigerant lines for the air conditioning functions and do all the technical work for you. When they are finished, your professionals will turn the system on and let it run for a little bit to ensure everything is working properly.

Since your ductless system does not require ducts, you should have a major outdoor compressor or indoor renovations to accommodate these systems.

How To Clean Your New System

Everyone knows something that helps the longevity of heating and cooling systems is making sure you properly take care of them. After your new unit is installed, you must perform regular maintenance to make sure everything is clean and running correctly. Many issues that can come from heating and cooling systems can be prevented from good maintenance practice.

You should clean your ductless mini-split every month to month and a half. When you go to clean your system, you should plan to clean the inside and outside units. Although, your technician can clean the outdoor compressor when they stop by to perform their yearly check-up.

Let’s break down how to clean each section. First, here is how you clean your inside unit. Keep in mind that if you have several ductless systems in different rooms, all of them should be cleaned.

Turn off the power
Wipe off the outside of the box with a damp cloth to get rid of dust
Remove the filter. Filters can be replaced, but you can wipe down the filter on the front with some detergent and water. Let the filters dry completely before you attach them back to the unit.
Before attaching the filter back, clean the coil inside the cabinet by wiping it down with a damp rag or a coil cleaner.

Cleaning a ductless system is similar to cleaning a standard unit, although ductless filters do not need to be replaced as often. It is best to replace your ductless filter between 3-6 months to keep it unclogged and able to trap pollutants from passing through.

Here are the steps to clean the outdoor compressor:

Turn the power off
Remove any outside debris, leaves, or sticks that may have gotten near the compressor.
Spray down the outside fan cage and wipe it down with a damp rag to remove any dirt. Next, you will do the same with the grille and fan blades.

It is easy to forget to clean your indoor and outdoor compressors. Life throws all kinds of distractions our way, but if you want to preserve your investment and continue breathing high-quality air, set reminders in your phone or planners to clean your systems routinely.

Ready To Install? Call The Pros Today!

Ready to install your home’s new ductless mini-split? Trust the professionals at 128 Plumbing to help! We have been in business for 29 years, helping residents in North Andover, MA, achieve the comfort their home deserves without breaking the bank. And with the colder months on the verge of arriving, now is the time to get to it.

We handle all things electrical, heating, and cooling, and we would love to help you install your new system fast. Our goal is to provide honest advice and be with you every step of the way when picking out your home’s new system—after all, this is a significant investment!

Don’t wait until the cold shows up and it’s too late. Instead, call our office today at (781) 670-3261 to get started.