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A Comparison: Duct vs. Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems

A Comparison: Duct vs. Ductless Heating and Cooling Systems

When it comes to having a heating and cooling system installed, you have essentially two basic choices. The first is a system that requires ducts, the second is a system that is ductless. Which is right for you will ultimately depend on your home and what exactly you are looking for in a heating and cooling system. Having a good grasp of the differences between these two systems can ensure that you get the one that is most ideal for your situation.

Duct Systems

A duct heating and cooling system will have both an outdoor and indoor component, connecting an outdoor compressor, to your interior rooms, through a network of ducts in the walls and/or floors of your home. In the summer, for example, air would be cooled in the compressor, and then vented into the home, into the ducts, where it will then flow into any room with open vents, via the connected air handling system.

Prime candidates for duct heating and cooling systems are those who already have ducts in the construction of their property. A house or commercial building that does not already have ducts would need a major overhaul in order to incorporate a system that requires ducts.

Ductless Systems

Ductless systems, as the name implies, do not require ducts. They are the more popular choice, especially in old construction that did not incorporate ducts into its design. For most operators, ductless systems are also more energy efficient, as they use refrigerated lines to deliver air from the compressor into the rooms of the building.

These lines are much easier to install than ducts (because they are smaller), and they more effectively circulate heated or cooled air, making it possible to get that air to a spot in the house that might not have been accessible, had the homeowner chosen a duct system.

The Bottom Line

Both systems have the ability to be paired with climate control units, allowing you more control over which rooms are heated or cooled and to what degree. For homes that are already equipped with ducts, installing a duct heating and cooling system can be very fast and easy. If the property is devoid of ducts, a ductless system is often the most cost-effective choice.

For more information on the difference between ductless systems and systems that require ductwork, contact 128 Plumbing Heating & Cooling.

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