The cost of ductless air conditioning can only be measured when you step back and look at the big picture. If you’re comparing it to the cost of traditional AC systems, you need to consider what else goes into the equation.
Traditional AC systems require ductwork throughout your home to distribute the cool air. The cost to install the ductwork and hook up the AC can add dramatically to the costs. Ductless air conditioning works without ductwork. It delivers cool air directly from the unit itself.
The True Cost of Ductless AC
When analyzing how much air conditioning costs, there are 5 things to consider:
- The cost of the unit
- The operating cost of the unit
- The cost of ductwork installation
- The cost of indoor air quality
The Cost of AC
The cost of any air conditioning system has to do with the SEER ratings. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating and it’s the way AC systems are measured. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit will be. Ductless AC offers some of the highest efficiencies available.
The cost of the AC system will be impacted by how many rooms you need to cool or the area that needs to be air conditioned.
The Operating Cost of the Unit
What will your energy bill look like? One of the big benefits of choosing ductless is that they offer some of the highest efficiencies around. A ductless Air conditioner uses inverter technology. Think of it like a car running on cruise control as opposed to a car that accelerates fast and then slows down. Inverter technology offers lower operating costs, many home owners report savings of up to 50% on their utility bills.
Ductless cooling and heating units can save 30-40% of the costs of a forced-air system simply by avoiding ductwork. That can add up quickly when you consider that 50% of a home’s utility bill goes to heating and cooling.
The Cost of Installation
If you need to install ductwork in your home to distribute air conditioning it can be expensive. There’s the cost of the ductwork itself and the cost to install the ducts and return air vents. Since the ductwork goes inside walls, floors, basements, attic, and ceilings, you’ll also need to build in the cost of tearing up the walls and ceilings and then repairing the damage.
A ductless air conditioner unit does not require ducts. Air is drawn in by the unit. Heat and moisture are removed and sent outside via the refrigerant. Then, the cool air is blown directly into the room. This improves efficiency and saves you from using ductwork. A ductless system is easy to install and is flexible in design.
The Cost of Indoor Air Quality
Have you ever looked inside an air duct? It’s not a pretty sight. When dust settles on your furniture or tabletop, you can clean it up. When dust settles in your air ducts, it can remain there for a while and pick up other contaminants. Then it’s pumped right back into your home. Odors can also get trapped in the dust particles and lead to musty or unpleasant smells.
It’s not just dust. Bacteria, mildew, pollen, pet dander, and other pollutant get trapped in the ducts. When your system fires up, you’re recirculating these problems into your home. A traditional AC unit can recirculate the air in your home as much as 5-7 times every day.
If you sneeze a lot, have allergy or asthma, or are sensitive to contaminants in the air, ducts are potential breeding grounds for poor air quality.
Is Ductless AC right for you? It might be your best choice. If you need to add AC to your Minneapolis or Saint Paul home, consider a free consultation. We’ll make sure to give you an assessment of your home and make recommendation on the best way to keep it cool this summer.