If you’ve considered upgrading your existing system or adding air conditioning to your home, you’ve probably realized there’s a large gap in the available options for home cooling. At one end of the spectrum are the small, relatively inexpensive window air conditioners that seem to have moved along noisily with few advances in technology since they entered the mainstream market in the 1940s. At the other end are large, quiet (as long as you’re inside) central systems designed to hook into existing central ventilation ducts. What do you do if you want something in between? What’s available for houses that have no ducting? Isn’t there a more efficient way to cool your home? Positioned between the extremes of window-mounted units and central systems is an air-conditioning technology that’s still new to most Canadians. Ductless air-conditioners, also called mini-split systems, are a newer approach to air conditioning developed in Japan, which use a type of heat pump technology to efficiently deliver cooling action to independently controlled zones in your home.

Ductless air-conditioners are called mini-splits because the two main halves of the equipment are separated by distance. One half is the compressor, which sits outdoors all the time, just like the compressor on a central air-conditioner. The other half of the ductless system, the indoor air-handling unit, is wall-mounted and connected to the compressor via a pair of hidden pipes. This is the unique feature of the mini-split approach. Think of the indoor component like a radiator that delivers cold instead of heat. It can be located as far as 75 feet from the compressor and without losing power or efficiency. Noise and vibration never get anywhere near the inside of your home, and cooling action can be delivered high up on any wall for maximum benefit. Typical mini-splits include two or three indoor air-handling units to deliver cooling throughout your home. Hook up is technically easy, requiring no ductwork and only a three- or four-inch hole drilled through an exterior wall.

Besides offering an air conditioner option that’s sized to fill the gap between central systems and window air conditioners, ductless systems have another advantage, too. They save money through lower electricity consumption. This happens in two ways. Since the cooling action of a mini-split is delivered to several independently controlled areas in your home, it’s possible to selectively cool different zones depending on the time of day. By focusing cooling action in bedrooms at night, for instance, and living areas during the day, you can save substantially by reducing the amount of total air cooled. And added to this there’s another energy advantage, too. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, typical residential duct systems can lose a staggering 25 to 40 per cent of the heating and cooling energy supplied to them by a furnace or air conditioner. This happens because of leaks within the ducts, especially those drawing warm air back into the system to be cooled.

Add to this the fact that the metal ducts themselves must also be cooled before you feel any benefit, and you’ll see where the energy losses come from. Operating without all that sheet metal has its advantages. what does the capacitor on a ac unit doFor duct-free houses heated with electric baseboard heaters or radiant in-floor heating, mini-splits offer cooling action that simply can’t be achieved with central air. one ton air conditioner unitDuctless systems also eliminate the risk of criminal intrusion into the home that window air conditioners create. ac window unit noiseSome systems are even designed to operate in reverse, supplying heat during cool weather. For homes without ducts, this can mean getting rid of those baseboard heaters, resulting in year-round energy savings.

At the moment, ductless, mini-split air conditioners are relatively new, and this means that a higher profit margin is built into their sales and installation. Currently, the cost-per-unit of cooling capacity is roughly one-third more than you’ll pay for central air. Despite the premium you might pay for new technology, the energy savings of mini-splits mean they’re worth considering. This is just one of a handful of technologies that let us do more with less energy while enjoying a better life in the bargain.HVAC systems move heat or cold air out of the room when you need. Essentially, your system acts as a transportation system for cold and hot air outside and inside the home. Traditional and mini-duct systems are called upon when they sense temperature changes in the room, however, high-velocity mini-duct systems use much smaller ducts in your walls. In fact, they are often 50% smaller than a traditional duct system. As such, they must use a high-velocity system to produce the same output.

As Old House Online perfectly displayed, think of both HVAC systems like drinking straws and paper-towel tubes. The straws represent high-velocity mini-duct systems and paper-towel tubes represent traditional duct systems. Due to the smaller volume, the straw requires much more energy. As you will soon read, that extra energy actually results in cooler temperatures and less electric costs. Typically, those who want to install a system for heating and cooling the whole home will choose between a low-velocity system (traditional) and a high-velocity system. The latter works through aspiration, which creates currents constantly moving the air and keeping the room at a stable temperature of your choosing. This is in contrast to the more traditional low-velocity or forced air systems, which use diffusion to drop cool air from one vent and then draw air back out through the return. Because of the nature of aspiration, a high-velocity system requires minimal ductwork, and in some cases, all it takes is a small plastic pipe rather than a traditional duct.

Chances are, most homeowners researching will already have HVAC installed in their homes. If so, high-velocity HVAC is probably not economical. However, there are two scenarios where high-velocity mini-duct systems are not only ideal, but economical as well. The first is with new construction. If you’re building a new house, ask your HVAC pro about high-velocity mini-ducts. While their installation cost is a bit more than traditional HVAC systems (not including a heat source), they can save you hundreds in maintenance and utility costs down the line. Furthermore, high-velocity air conditioners are perfect for older homes where space is a concern. When a family has lived in a home for years, you get used to the space you’re given. Well, if a traditional HVAC system was not added when the home was constructed, that means the designer or contractor did not intend for a large duct system. To install a traditional system, the homeowners would have to forfeit valuable square footage around the home.

Fortunately, high-velocity mini-duct systems don’t only preserve your space, but the integrity of your home as well. There are plenty of advantages in choosing a high-velocity mini-duct system: Because the ducts used in a high-velocity system are so small, they won't require a lot of remodeling to accommodate them and they won't take up a lot of extra space in the home. These mini-duct systems are also incredibly efficient at heating and cooling in a hurry, which is a plus for people who tend to turn their systems off during the day and then require instant temperature changes when you return home. To top it all off, high-velocity mini-duct systems can be very quiet, use less energy, remove up to 30% more humidity and be installed in far less time than traditional low-velocity mini-duct systems. While a high-velocity mini duct system might seem perfect, there are some noticeable drawbacks that every homeowner needs to address: For most homeowners, these drawbacks are worth overlooking.

Constantly blowing air is simply more effective, so the sensation is not often a problem. While mini-duct air conditioning will have small units installed in the interior of the home, the units are not intrusive and they are typically placed in less noticeable locations. Ultimately, the cost will be the biggest issue, as high-velocity mini-duct systems require a larger initial investment. Several factors influence the total cost of a high-velocity mini-duct system and each can play a role in the total high-velocity HVAC cost. The following are the primary factors to keep in mind when pricing installation of a high-velocity air conditioning system: As we already said, mini-duct systems usually come with a higher installation cost than most other HVAC systems. Furthermore, if you do not have any HVAC currently installed, you will also need a heat source if you decide to purchase a high-velocity mini-duct unit. As such, in addition to the regular installation cost, you must include the installation price of a heat pump.

SpacePak, one of the two major mini-duct manufacturers, says their systems are only compatible with heat pumps. Nevertheless, if you wanted a quick comparison to some of the other prominent HVAC systems in the world, please see all installation prices below: When analyzing the total cost of an HVAC project you must consider repairs, maintenance and utility costs. While installation is a big piece of the pie, it is not the only one. Fortunately, high-velocity mini-duct systems generally cost less than almost any other HVAC system. Traditional forced-air systems, those using larger ducts, experience duct leakage and some experts believe that leakage can lead to a 25% increase in utility costs. Unico, the other major mini-duct manufacturer, and SpacePak both claim their high-velocity systems have less than 5% duct leakage. Less duct leakage means less work for your system and more savings on your energy bills. Additionally, because the air is always blowing, you can afford to keep the temperature higher than traditional HVAC systems.

In fact, some say 70° on a mini-duct thermostat feels like 66° on a traditional system. Finally, maintenance and repair is never far away with HVAC. Because you’re dealing with a much smaller system, repair costs tend to be less expensive. For larger duct systems, HVAC pros and carpenters may have cut large holes in the walls, replace large parts or order brand new parts. None of this is cheap and sadly, usually has to come out of the homeowner’s pocket. HVAC may not be the most popular DIY category, but some active homeowners do install mini-duct HVACs on their own. Beware, while it is easier than traditional HVAC systems, it’s still a challenging process. Below are the major steps all need to do to install a high-velocity mini-duct system. For a more in-depth process, please see The News. If that process sounds tough, you’re not alone. Almost all homeowners hire pros to install their high-velocity air conditioning systems. To save some cash, always get multiple HVAC quotes.