Why Use A Ductless Air Conditioner For An Oil-Heated Home Without Ducts?
Oil-heated homes mostly use hydronic heating systems, so they aren’t equipped with HVAC ductwork. This means that in summer oil-heat homes rely on window air conditioners to cool their homes instead of central air systems. This may have been a sound option before, but the advent of ductless cooling systems has changed the situation. When it pertains to air conditioning for old houses, this is a better solution. Now is a good time to switch from a window air conditioner to a ductless unit for a superior cooling option.
Why Window Air Conditioners Are Poor Cooling Solutions
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Here are several reasons window air conditioners are poor cooling solutions:
Window Air Conditioners Are Bulky
Central air conditioners consist of indoor and outdoor units that work in tandem to provide you with cold air. On the other hand, window air conditioners combine the indoor and outdoor units in one unit. This results in a bulky cooling unit, as engineers haven’t found a way to significantly reduce its size since its advent. A substantial part of the unit protrudes outside the house and ruins the aesthetics of your home. It can also lower the value of your property because of decreased curb appeal.
Window Air Conditioners Are Expensive
Air conditioning systems consume a lot of energy. However, you shouldn’t just look at the cooling equipment’s price when buying a new one. You should also think about how much they will cost you once you are using them. The bad news is that window air conditioners are costly to operate due to their inefficiency. This means they use more energy for their size versus other cooling units.
Window Air Conditioners Are Loud
Window ACs have all their components in one box, so you will hear all sounds they make clearly as they go through their cooling cycle. This can be annoying if your window air conditioner is installed in your bedroom. The loud noises can keep you awake all night. You may have a cold room, but you still won’t be able to sleep well with all the loud bangs and clicks. It can get worse as time passes. Look for a better cooling solution if it becomes unbearable.
Window Air Conditioning Units Don’t Cool Well
Although window air conditioners are bulky, they have severely limited cooling capacities. You can buy the largest window units available, but it won’t still be enough to cool a large room. They can sufficiently cool small to medium-sized rooms only. Bigger rooms need several window air conditioners. Furthermore, these units are notorious for their inability to properly remove indoor humidity.
Windows Cooling Systems Negatively Affect Indoor Air Quality
Window cooling units tend to have gaps along the perimeter, letting unfiltered outdoor air into your rooms. This air may have many pollutants that can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Poorly designed window air conditioners may not be able to filter the air properly, and the air that passes through the unit may still contain some allergens. Window air conditioners also create the perfect environment for mold and bacteria growth, causing poorer indoor air quality.
Advantages of Using Ductless Air Conditioners
Now that you know why window air conditioners aren’t ideal cooling solutions, here is one of the best alternatives and the reasons you should consider it:
Ductless Air Conditioners Are Energy Efficient
Ductless air conditioners are better at converting electricity into cooling capacity than window air conditioners. Ductless cooling systems may have a higher initial purchase price, but you will have lower monthly energy bills. This will result in big savings down the line.
Space-Saving Ductless Air Conditioners
Ductless systems have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. The indoor air handler is slim and narrow, making it easy to place it anywhere. It also doesn’t use any window space or block natural light. You can install it high up on a wall, so it is hardly noticeable and doesn’t ruin the room’s facade.
Ductless Cooling Systems Are Quiet
Most of the ductless air conditioner components that make noise are in the outdoor unit. Therefore, you won’t hear them because the exterior wall provides insulation. You will only hear a low hum from the indoor air handler, which is barely noticeable. This way, you can go about your daily activities and sleep soundly without distractions.
Ductless Air Conditioning Units Enable HVAC Zoning
You can divide your home into HVAC zones with ductless air conditioners. This allows you to set different temperatures per zone. All home occupants receive greater comfort because you don’t have to endure a fixed temperature setting for the whole house. Room occupants can adjust the thermostat settings according to their preferences. To save energy, you can also switch the ductless air conditioner in unoccupied zones.
Ductless Air Conditioners Provide Higher Indoor Air Quality
As there is no dirty ductwork, the indoor air remains unspoiled. Ductless air conditioners are equipped with advanced multi-layer filtration systems. These are highly effective in capturing pollutants and allergens, so you can enjoy a healthier home.
Why Ductless ACs Are The Most Affordable Option For Homes Without Ducts
Many homes with hydronic heating systems weren’t designed to have HVAC ductwork. Therefore, installing a forced-air cooling system needs ductwork installation throughout the house first. The walls or ceilings of the house may need to be torn down to let the ducts pass through. It is a long, costly, and labor-intensive process to do so. On the other hand, ductless air conditioner installation doesn’t require significant changes to the home. The indoor and outdoor units only need to be connected through a conduit that passes through a small hole in your home’s wall. You can rest assured that its installation is quick, affordable, and non-disruptive.
Conclusion
Window cooling systems are an outdated technology that has many setbacks. Homeowners should consider a cooling system upgrade now that better alternatives are available. Doing so can improve your cooling comfort, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality. Ductless air conditioners offer all these benefits and affordable installation. Contact a professional HVAC technician to help you choose the best ductless air conditioner for your home.
Call McAllister Energy For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
McAllister Energy offers superior heating and cooling services in Camden County, New Jersey. We hire the best-certified technicians who can provide you with excellent HVAC tune-ups, repairs, installations, and replacements. Each of our techs has the knowledge and experience to service your HVAC system correctly.
McAllister Energy guarantees the most competitive heating and cooling service costs in the area. Our maintenance services can improve your comfort, increase your energy efficiency while reducing your home heating and cooling costs. If you happen to need an HVAC repair or replacement system, we can recommend the best one for your home while staying within your budget. We back all of our work with a guarantee to ensure your satisfaction. To schedule a service appointment, give McAllister Energy a call today. We offer free, in-home estimates.
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