How A Split A/C Unit Will Affect Your Florida Home
Split air conditioning units, which are also known as ductless air conditioning systems, feature an outdoor compressor unit and require no air ducts. These air conditioners are also called multi-split or variable refrigerant flow systems. A split A/C unit requires a 3” hole in your wall. This hole allows lines to carry refrigerant, electricity, and drainage from the outdoor unit to the indoor “zone” system. This system, also called the head, is mounted on the top of the walls in the rooms you need to cool. Several of the benefits associated with a split A/C system are examined below.
A Split-System Air Conditioner Will Enhance Energy Efficiency
A split A/C system will drastically improve your home’s energy efficiency. By using several ductless “zones,” you will be able to control the temperature of individual rooms rather than attempting to cool your entire house. Each zone will have a single thermostat. In the same way that you would raise the thermostat setting when you are away from home, you can isolate your cooled environments to only the rooms you are using. This approach will eliminate any wasted energy that would be associated with a traditional central air duct system being used to cool your Southwest Florida home. Additionally, the streamlined nature of a split system A/C helps conserve energy that you would lose in a central system. A central air duct system loses up to 30% or more of the air flowing through it because of holes or leaks. Your split A/C system will not be susceptible to such losses.
Split A/C Units Can Save You Money
Throughout the life of your split A/C units, you will save money that would have been spent to cool your entire home with a traditional HVAC unit. The most significant source of split A/C cost savings is a reduced monthly utility bill. An inefficient central HVAC system will cause your utility costs to surge during hot Southwest Florida summers. By taking advantage of the improved efficiency of a split A/C unit, you could reduce your monthly payments by nearly one-third. You may also be eligible to receive tax credits at the federal, state, or local level as well as utility rebates for using a ductless system.
A Split A/C System Is Easy to Install
Compared to traditional air conditioning systems, a split A/C system is generally easier to install. The connection between the outdoor and indoor units requires only a 3” hole in the wall. Because the systems require such a small home alteration, there is no need to reconstruct walls or ceilings and no reduction in the square footage of your house. Many manufacturers offer varying lengths of connecting conduits to accommodate distances between your outdoor unit and indoor evaporator. It is possible to locate the components as far as 50 feet apart, allowing you to situate your compressor in an inconspicuous outside location but still cool rooms on the opposite side of your home. Because a split A/C system does not require ducts, installation costs are notably lower than the price of installing a traditional HVAC system complete with ductwork. Moreover, many older homes cannot accommodate the necessary ductwork. Consequently, a split A/C system is both practical and efficient.
You Will Improve Air Quality by Using A Split A/C
Having a split A/C will allow you to breathe easier. Traditional HVAC systems have air ducts that must be regularly cleaned to remove dust and allergens. Even after professional cleanings, particles are left behind and will diminish the quality of your indoor air. Poor air quality can significantly impair the overall health of your family. Tiny particles floating around your home leave you prone to respiratory issues, aggravated allergies, and illnesses. Ductless split A/C units use a succession of filters to remove any allergens, dust, pollen, bacteria, or other particulates before they ever reach your living areas.
Split A/C Units Offer Flexible Interior Design Options
Split A/C units provide added flexibility in terms of interior design than alternative add-on systems can offer. The indoor air handlers may be hung on a wall, mounted into a drop ceiling, or even suspended from your ceiling. They also come in floor-standing models. Most indoor units are approximately 7” deep and are typically outfitted with sleek jackets. The dimensions and aesthetic appeal of split A/C systems allow for a multitude of design options to make your home cozy.
Split A/C Systems Are Environmentally Friendly
The increased energy efficiency of split A/C systems reduces your carbon footprint. By using less energy than you would with a traditional central air conditioning system, you are minimizing your greenhouse gas emissions. Split A/C systems adhere to Energy Star guidelines, meaning they are much more energy efficient than the minimum standards outlined by the U.S. Department of Energy. Furthermore, split A/C systems use a refrigerant called R410A. This refrigerant is unique because it does not have properties that can deplete the ozone. As a result, the air conditioning system will remain eco-friendly throughout many Southwest Florida summers.
You May Personalize Different Rooms in Your Home
Not everyone in your family will always be comfortable at the same temperature. Split A/C systems can provide separate climate-controlled environments to satisfy everyone’s preferences. While your daughter may be warm after returning home from playing in the Southwest Florida sun, you may be cool after a refreshing swim. In contrast to a central HVAC system, split A/C systems can produce different climates in each room. The possibility of unique environments will allow your daughter to cool down as you relax in a warmer room just down the hall.
Split A/C Systems Are Simple to Use
You can control most split A/C systems with a remote, which makes it simple to turn them on or off as well as regulate the temperature. The ability to control your system from a distance is especially convenient for units that are suspended from a ceiling or mounted high on a wall. You will be able to easily adjust the climate of your room without needing to stand up from your recliner.
Split A/C Units Are Quieter Than Alternative Options
While central HVAC systems and window units can be noisy and distracting, split A/C units are quiet. The workhorse components of split A/C units are located outside of your home, where you will not have to hear them. This positioning will permit you to work, relax, or sleep in a cool environment free from the distraction of a noisy HVAC system. You may even forget that the split A/C unit is in action.
Split A/C Units Are Safer Than Other Options
An unintended benefit of installing split A/C units to cool your home is the safety it provides relative to that of different unit types. By only requiring minimal modifications to install split A/C units, your home is kept safer than it would be with other air conditioning options. Window-mounted air conditioners and through-the-wall units leave your house vulnerable to intruders. The hole necessary to facilitate a split A/C unit is only 3” wide and unlikely to offer any access to the inside.
Split A/C Systems Can Be Used to Heat Your Home
Split A/C systems may also use a heat pump to control the climate of your home during winter months. During the relatively mild Southwest Florida winters, your system can be reversed to effectively remove cool air from your home and ensure peak comfort levels all season long. The versatility of a split A/C system is something that is not available with a central air conditioning system.
Split A/C Units Provide Ideal Climate Control
The array of benefits associated with split A/C units is abundant. Not only can split A/C systems keep each of your family members comfortable in their ideal temperature settings, but a split A/C will also keep the environment healthy and reduce energy consumption. By using less energy than you would with alternative HVAC options, you will gain a better return on your investment through lowered utility bills and associated costs. In addition to a healthy environment fostered by your split A/C system, you will notice a healthier family as the system improves your indoor air quality. With installation so quick and easy, you would be remiss not to consider a split air conditioning unit to cool your home during the hot Southwest Florida summer.