DUCTLESS AIR CONDITIONING FAQ

Daikin Ductless FAQ

Q: Are Minneapolis and Saint Paul a good area for Ductless AC?
A: Yes. It’s hard to imagine going through a Twin Cities summer without air conditioning. Ductless systems are gaining popularity throughout Minnesota due to their high energy efficiencies and ability to cool only where needed, which will help you save money on your utility bill.  A Ductless AC unit can be installed just about anywhere so they’re great for older homes without duct work, any home that has hot spots or any time you want to convert an attic or garage into living space.   Consider a ductless system  when you want to add air conditioning or replace your air conditioner.   They are also a great solution for cabins and office spaces.

Q: What is Ductless Air Conditioning?
A: As the name implies, a ductless air conditioner is a system that provides cooling but does not require duct work.  Think of it as a more modern way to add air conditioning to your home.  Because they don’t require traditional HVAC ductwork, they’re a much more versatile option for air conditioning and can be added to just about any home.

Q: Why choose a ductless system?
A: Ductless Systems,  often referred to as Ductless Mini Split or simply a Mini Split, offer super high energy-efficiencies.   These high efficiencies are attractive to many home owners, who are interested in lowering their utility bills and increased home comfort.  In addition to being more efficient, they are much more quiet that a traditional AC system, so they don’t disrupt sleep when they kick on and off.

Q: Are ductless AC units a new type of technology?
A: Ductless systems were developed in Japan in the 1970s. They were intended to be improvements on window air conditioners. The main vision was the same: provide spot cooling to homes and buildings where a more complete, whole-system approach was either unfeasible due to space or financial constraints, but ultimately serving as a much friendlier cooling solution.

Q: How does a Ductless Mini Split work?
A: The ductless system is an easy to install 2 part system that consists of an outdoor unit (compressor) that is connected to one or more indoor units (evaporators) by refrigerant lines that run through a three-to four-inch hole in the outside wall. The number of indoor units used will depend on how many zones, or rooms, you need to cool. Each outdoor compressor can operate up to five inside units, letting you target the specific areas inside your home. When more than one indoor unit is used with a single outdoor compressor unit, the system is known as a ductless mini-split system.

Q: When is it a good time to consider a Ductless Air Conditioner?
A: Any home that has hot spots or places in the home where they can’t get relief can choose a ductless AC unit.  Some choose a ductless system for their master bedroom because of the quiet nature of a ductless unit and the increased comfort due to their advanced air flow movement that never blasts air directly on you.  Homes that don’t have duct work can add AC easily. Home owners who have an AC unit that is more than 10 years old can often benefit from a new, higher efficiency Ductless System. Anyone remodeling their home can easily add AC to areas. Anyone who suffers from asthma or allergies may benefit from a ductless system.  Forced air systems deliver cool air that has been forced through ductwork that contains dust, mold, viruses, allergens, pet dander, dust mites and a host of other allergens that can affect your breathing.

Q: Will a ductless system completely replace my current Air Conditioning system?
A: It depends. In many cases a Ductless System is used for a specific area of the house in which case you would keep your standard AC unit and use the ductless for an area.  In other cases you may want to upgrade to a whole house AC system which is zoned for each area of the house.

Q: How do I hire a Ductless Contractor?
A: Hiring the right contractor is the most important part of the process. You want to find a contractor who has been properly trained on ductless technology. We’ve worked hard to achieve Daikin 3D Dealer status. As a Daikin 3D Dealer you know we’ve attained the highest level of training and can provide additional warranty benefits. Home Service Plus® advisor will help you select the right unit, help you with financing options and ensure a professional installation.

Q: Does it matter what brand I choose?
A: We think so. We have chosen industry leader Daikin for our brand of ductless mini splits. Daikin is the world’s largest manufacture of ductless systems and offer the best warranty, the highest efficiencies and the broadest product selection.

Q: Is a ductless AC unit more efficient than a central air conditioner?
A: Yes.  A Ductless AC uses Inverter Technology, which is far superior to how a central AC systems work. Watch Video.

A traditional air conditioner forces air through a maze of duct work. This duct work will  develop leaks over time which can  contribute to up to 30% of energy lost in the cooling process.  This is a little known fact to most home owners.

Compare this to a ductless system that delivers comfortable air directly to your room.  Also consider that today’s ductless air conditioners are much more efficient than your aging central air system.

Q: Are they aesthetically appealing?
A: Indoor units are attractively designed so they won’t clash with your home décor. Units are typically installed high on one wall, though some models consist of a recessed ceiling unit. Free-standing floor units are also available for those who prefer them. Additionally, Daikin has released their Emura which is modern and appealing wall mounted unit that matches any home décor.

Q: What are some common applications for a Ductless Mini Split system?
A: Ductless Systems are very versatile and have a wide range of uses. Consider a Ductless Mini Split  for these situations:

Single room comfort – we’ve installed ductless in just about every type of room, including: living rooms, exercise rooms, sun rooms, theatre rooms, poker rooms, and the ever popular man-cave rooms.

Building a new home – new construction is an excellent time to discover ductless. You’ll save on not having to install all the ductwork and you’ll love the energy savings that are available.

Home remodeling – you may find you need heating and cooling in an area of your house. Instead of creating more ductwork, consider going ductless.

Home additions – if you’re converting a garage or attic space into living space, a ductless heat pump makes a great choice. They’ll provide a practical and cost effective solution.

You want to upgrade an outdated system – the energy efficiency of a ductless system makes them an excellent choice when you’re ready to upgrade.

When you want to add AC – Protect yourself from outdoor contaminants and allergens, like pollen, smoke while keeping your home security intact.

Q: How efficient are Ductless AC systems?
A: Ductless systems have an excellent reputation for energy efficiency, using 25% to 50% less energy than central air conditioning systems. Because they use variable-speed compressors, zoned operation and duct-free performance, they use less energy than conventional systems. The consistently high SEER ratings ductless systems earn for air conditioning performance attest to the efficiency of these systems, with these ratings often far exceeding the minimum performance requirements for energy efficiency. Daikin Ductless system SEER ratings have exceeded 26, which speaks to their superior performance. 

Q: How much does a Ductless Air Conditioning system cost?
A: The price of a ductless AC system will vary based on manufacturer, model, system capacity and a number of other factors. Other factors that impact overall cost include how far refrigerant lines and copper tubing must be run to connect the indoor and outdoor units as well as the degree of complexity of your install. Ductless AC Twin Cities makes it easy for anyone to afford a ductless system via a variety of payment options, including 12 month interest free financing.

Q: Are incentives available for Ductless AC systems?
A: Various incentives, such as tax credits and cash rebates, may be available from utility companies. These companies understand the rising cost of energy and reward consumers for making energy-efficient choices in cooling products. Your Home Service Plus® advisor will review any rebates and incentives as well as provide a savings over time analysis.

Q: How long will a ductless system last?
A: Ductless cooling systems will last for decades, providing home and business owners with dependable indoor comfort and convenient, cost-effective, energy-efficient operation. If you keep it well-maintained, your ductless air conditioning system should give you over 20 years of reliable service.

Q: How much maintenance does a ductless system require?
A: It’s important to schedule routine maintenance for your ductless heating and cooling system. Just like any piece of equipment you’ll need to clean it regularly and schedule maintenance.

Twin Cities are discovering the benefits of Ductless Air Conditioning. Find out how a ductless mini split system can keep you comfy this summer. Get a Free Quote Today!

Ductless Air Conditioner Twin Cities – Ductless Ac Minneapolis & Saint Paul