Summer is such a wonderfully relaxing season. It’s the time for swimming, vacations, cookouts, and plenty of sunshine. Unfortunately, it’s also the time for either suffering through the heat or paying outrageous cooling bills. But there’s a truth more upsetting than just the bills: if your heating and cooling system uses ducts to distribute conditioned air, you could be losing 20 to 30 percent of that air due to leaks. Patching up ducts isn’t a difficult or expensive project. But if you responsibly maintain your HVAC and find that it still doesn’t meet your expectations for efficiency, there may be another way to address the problem: a ductless air conditioner. This is also a good retrofitting solution for homes without ductwork, as well as an energy-efficient option for new construction. A ductless heat pump, also called a “mini-split system,” is made up of an outdoor component (condenser and compressor) and an indoor component (evaporator and blower assembly).

The two units are connected by a conduit containing electrical wiring and tubing. The units transfer heat from outdoors to indoors, or vice versa, via a refrigerant that runs through the conduit. In cooling mode, the ductless mini-split system transfers heat from your home to the outside unit. Most mini-split systems allow you to install up to four units in your home. The area that each unit heats or cools is called a “zone.” The units work independently of one another, cooling or heating only zones that are occupied as opposed to the whole house—which saves you energy. While it may sound over-the-top or inconvenient to have more than one mini-split system in your home, the units are small, requiring only a three-inch hole in the wall. They can be mounted on the wall, suspended from the ceiling, or free-standing. Mini-split systems are also able to scale back the amount of energy they use whenever heating or cooling needs decrease. Traditional units waste energy by cycling on and off, but mini-split systems subtly adjust to meet fluctuating demands, saving you energy.

Installing a ductless mini-split system will result in monthly energy savings, but it does constitute a sizable upfront investment. Here’s a cost breakdown to help you decide if this project is right for your home: The cost of the equipment largely depends on whether your home will require one, two, three, or four systems: Quad – $3800 and up The size of your home and its energy efficiency affect the number of units you will need. Keep in mind that projects like adding insulation to your attic, closing off leaks around doors and windows, and adding a low-emissivity film to your windows can make the job much easier for your ductless air conditioner. Comfort and energy efficiency are the biggest advantages of mini-split systems. But if yours is installed incorrectly or isn’t the right size, you won’t experience either of those benefits. Unless you are a builder or remodeler, it’s worth hiring a contractor with the right tools in their belt. The contractor has to lay concrete for the outdoor unit, cut a hole in the exterior wall, run the electrical lines for the conduit, and perform other tasks as needed, such as getting rid of some of your current system’s components.

Expect to pay between $1300 and $2000. While you may be tempted to settle for the best price regardless of specific experience, remember that ductless heating and cooling systems are still a niche market in the U.S. You may have to hunt a little for the right contractor, so don’t settle for someone you’re not sure will do a good job just because they offer the best price.By now you know that ductless is a quiet, efficient heating and air conditioning solution for your home that will reduce your energy costs and quickly pay for itself.rc ac unit But, what can a homeowner expect to pay for this modern and convenient comfort system in South Jersey, specifically in Atlantic and Cape May Counties?air conditioner mini split unit Ductless mini-split technology has been around for more than 50 years, but has only been available to South Jersey homeowners for about thirty years.ac units at sears

In Japan, ductless accounts for 90% of all HVAC systems sold and in more than 80% in Europe. Unfamiliarity and spotty access to information has slowed the growth of ductless in the United States, but high energy savings have caused major utility companies, government agencies and homeowners to take notice. The financial incentives associated with ductless technology has made it one of the fastest growing segments in the HVAC industry. This is important: Not all contractors have experience with ductless technology, so make sure to ask your contractor how long they’ve been installing the systems.  Mitsubishi offers additional benefits when a ductless system is installed by one of their trained, certified contractors.  Comfort Now is proud to be associated with Mitsubishi Electric Ductless systems, and proud to be recognized as one of South Jersey’s only Mitsubishi Diamond Contractors that has qualified for Elite Status. As an Elite Diamond Contractor, Bob McAllister provides a 12 year parts warranty on any new Mitsubishi Ductless System.

So, how much can you expect to pay to have a Mitsubishi ductless system installed in your home? AT LEAST ONE INDOOR WALL UNIT (EVAPORATOR/AIR HANDLER) AND, LINE SETS TO CONNECT THE TWO TOGETHER Professional installation of the most basic, or single zone, configuration (consisting of one wall unit and condenser) will cost between $2,800 and $4000.  Some homeowners need only one ductless unit for their home, while others install 3, 4 or 5 units. It all depends on the layout of the home and what works best for the homeowner. A multi-zone system consisting of two indoor evaporator units typically run between $7500 and $8000. At first glance, the cost of ductless heating and air conditioning can seem steep, however, the benefits in energy efficiency will save you a lot in the long run. Since there are no ducts, you won’t lose energy via ductwork. Typical forced air systems experience duct losses equivalent to about 20% of the system’s energy consumption.