With proper maintenance being performed on a regular basis, ductless air conditioners are expected to last for approximately 20 years or more. This lifespan is longer than the 12 to 15-year lifespan that's typical of central air conditioning systems. It is, therefore, safe to assume that a ductless mini-split will last quite a bit longer than the alternatives.

In general, ductless air conditioners require less electricity for operation than other options. Systems like these come with impressive SEER and HSPF ratings. Their overall sizes are smaller and they can deliver customized cooling and heating to meet the needs of building residents. Indoor air handlers in areas of the home that aren't being actively used can be turned off for energy savings. As a point of comparison, traditional, central HVAC systems regularly cycle off and back on again. Lots of energy waste occurs as a result of this cycling. Ductless air conditioners have variable speed motors that can make necessary adjustments to the compressor speed rather than shutting off and back on.

Property owners have the opportunity to create zones within their buildings with ductless AC units. With zoned heating and cooling, it is possible to determine areas that need the most conditioned air. Indoor air handlers can be installed in high-demand areas and additional indoor air handlers can be added later on as changes in preferences or needs dictate.

How much space a single indoor air handler can cool with a ductless system depends upon the unit capacity or the BTUs (British Thermal Units) per hour. For instance, you will need 9,000 BTUs to cool down 350 to 400 square feet of space while 23,000 BTUs is needed for spaces measuring 1,200 square feet to 1,400 square feet. Other factors must be considered as well when determining the BTU requirements for any home or zone. Scheduling an appointment for an estimate with a reputable HVAC contractor is the best way to determine what these requirements are for your home.

These two system types have a number of similarities. However, you will need to install a window unit in each room, whereas ductless systems require a single outdoor unit with multiple, inconspicuous indoor air handlers. The biggest selling point for window ACs is its low upfront prices. However, they don't provide adequate comfort and they lack both efficiency and the ability to improve the quality of the indoor air - which isn't the case for ductless cooling designs. You should also note that window air conditioners tend to be quite loud, don't offer as much comfort, take up a lot of window space, and diminishes natural light.

Even though ductless air conditioning systems are pretty quick and easy to install, installing one by yourself is never a good idea. To start, this could result in irreparable system damage. Moreover, safely working with AC refrigerants requires training and experience. Someone who lacks this training should never try to handle these projects alone. More importantly, manufacturers will often void warranties on equipment that isn't installed by licensed HVAC professionals. Finally, HVAC contractors are able to properly size units and unit capacities for homes. Without this support, you may wind an overly large or under-sized unit, thereby causing problems with comfort and efficiency in the future.