The summer heat in Sacramento, CA makes air conditioning a necessity. If you don’t have a cooling system that’s able to beat the heat, you might be in for a rough summer. Many homeowners in the area are turning to ductless mini-split AC systems these days. Are they worth the investment? At Clarke & Rush, we want to help you decide what’s best for your household. If you like, we can install a new ductless cooling system that’s energy efficient and perfectly sized for your home.
But first, you need to decide if a mini-split is right for you. Traditional central air systems are still very popular. Forced air coming through the ductwork is a tried and true way to cool a home. So, which is a better fit for you? To help you make an informed decision, let’s go over some pros and cons of mini-splits versus central air systems. We offer both, so we don’t have to play favorites here.
Installation and Infrastructure Requirements
Mini-splits and central cooling systems function in different ways. We’ll take a look at the positives and negatives of mini-splits compared to the more traditional models.
Pros of Ductless AC
The biggest pro for a ductless system is that it does not require any ductwork. A central air system requires a duct going to every room that it will cool. So, for homes without ductwork, mini-splits save a lot of time and money in the installation process. Installing ductwork is a large-scale construction project, while we can install mini-splits quickly in any home.
Cons of Ductless AC
A negative aspect is that most mini-splits have wall-mounted air handlers that stick out. With central air, you only see flush vents on floors and ceilings. Most mini-splits have large rectangular air handlers on the walls, unless you opt for something sleeker and more expensive. However, there is really no low-profile mini-split system. It’s a noticeable feature of the home.
Energy Efficiency and Operating Costs
Pros of Ductless AC
Modern central air units can be energy efficient, but mini-splits take SEER2 ratings to an entirely new level. That’s mainly because mini-splits aren’t losing energy from the condenser to the handler. Central air conditioning systems can use 30% or more of their energy traveling through ducts. It can be even more if the ductwork has leaks or the home has poor insulation. Mini-splits blow conditioned air directly into the room without first having to travel through a maze.
Cons of Ductless AC
Operational costs for mini-splits might be lower, but the initial cost of purchasing and installing the system is typically higher. This is especially true if you’re installing central air conditioning and have ductwork already installed. Central AC comes at a lower up-front cost per square foot. Mini-splits have lower costs over time.
Temperature Control and Zoning
Pros of Ductless AC
Control zones are the standard for mini-splits. They provide for cooling directly from the air handler since there are no ducts for air to travel through. These units are like larger, more efficient window units that are installed in walls. The zoning means you can condition different rooms the way you want. With a classic central air system, you control every room via one thermostat. If you want your kitchen cooler than your living room, it’s not going to happen without expensive upgrades. Mini-splits solve this problem.
Cons of Ductless AC
This isn’t a huge negative, but having to control different thermostats is something some people consider tedious busywork. However, a workaround here is to get smart thermostats that you can operate via a phone app or Wi-Fi-enabled home assistants. Either way, ductless mini-splits require individual settings. For larger houses with many rooms, this individual operation may be annoying.
Indoor Air Quality and Maintenance
Pros of Ductless AC
Ductless systems offer superior indoor air quality overall. Traditional central air systems collect dust and debris at multiple points: the vents, inside the ducts, and on the unit itself. This can get messy. The central unit is then blowing this dirty air into every room. Mini-splits have multi-stage filtration systems built into each head. The handlers are simple to clean. In this geographic region, seasonal allergies can get severe with dirty air. Mini-splits are much cleaner.
Cons of Ductless AC
The negative here is that the head mentioned above needs regular cleaning, as frequently as you would clean a filter in a window unit. This is something you could easily forget, especially during a hot summer where the AC is constantly running. Although the air is cleaner, you have to clean the system more. While there isn’t much to clean, the air handlers get dusty pretty quickly.
Heating Capabilities
Pros of Ductless AC
Something most people don’t know about mini-splits is that many of the models are heat pumps. This means that they can provide heat in the fall and winter as well as AC in the spring and summer. They do this by extracting air from outside and forcing it inside. Sacramento rarely freezes over, so you may not need a backup furnace, boiler, or portable electric heater if you have a mini-split. We can advise you further about this.
Cons of Ductless AC
A con is that mini-splits don’t provide quite enough heat in subfreezing weather. People up north who have mini-splits struggle to create enough heat when it’s really cold outside. Even in Sacramento, if you have a mini-split, you may decide it’s a good idea to keep a backup heating unit for occasional cold snaps.
The Verdict
Going over these pros and cons, it’s fairly clear that mini-splits win out in most categories. We’ve provided plenty of information to help you make up your own mind. If you choose our team at Clarke & Rush to handle your installation, we’ll be happy to install either type of system in your home. The idea here is that you should be well informed about any AC system you’re going to invest money in. It’s a significant long-term commitment,
You can choose the ease, efficiency, and energy savings of a ductless system. Or you can opt for the whole-home coverage of the classic central air system. We’re proud to be your go-to HVAC contractor in Sacramento. We have decades of experience under our belt and will do a fantastic job for you either way. In addition to our AC options, we offer a full suite of HVAC services to meet your home comfort needs.
Contact our team at Clarke & Rush today to learn more about our AC options in Sacramento.