Ductless Mini-Splits Installation and Maintenance

Massachusetts homeowners understand the value of efficiency. With the cost of electricity, natural gas, and especially heating oil rising across the state, even those who don’t prioritize ecological stewardship have been finding recently that discovering more affordable ways to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer needs to be a priority. Switching to a ductless mini-split system can help you do that.

Ductless mini-splits are energy-efficient, versatile HVAC systems that can be used to heat and cool homes. Each system comprises an outdoor condenser unit connected via small tubes to one or more indoor air handlers.

The Benefits of Mini-Split Systems

The most frequently-cited benefit of ductless mini-splits is that they are more energy-efficient than traditional HVAC systems. The reason for this is twofold. First, ductless mini-splits move freon via small tubes instead of featuring large ducts that create air leaks and unwanted thermal transfer opportunities. Second, the ability to attach multiple indoor handlers to each outdoor condenser means that homes can be heated and cooled by zone, allowing residents to turn the heat or air conditioning off in areas they aren’t using.

Improved energy efficiency is not the only benefit of going ductless. These systems also offer a wealth of other benefits, including:

Improved Comfort

The fact that mini-splits offer zoned heating and cooling allows residents to set the temperatures to whatever they would like in their designated areas of the home. With a sufficiently large system, residents can choose the temperatures for their bedrooms, turn off the heat to a guest room completely when it’s not in use, or independently control kitchen temperatures to keep it cool and comfortable for home chefs. Precise, independent control means increased comfort for everyone in the home.

Installation

Ductless mini-splits often require professional installation. Using small tubes instead of giant ducts adds a lot of flexibility, as does the fact that indoor air handlers can be installed almost anywhere. The units can even be placed in hard-to-reach places high up on walls or ceilings, keeping them out of the way once the system has been installed.

Increased Convenience

Mini-split systems aren’t just efficient. They’re also very convenient. Combining heating and cooling into one system removes the need for switching everything over when spring or fall rolls around. Every system has a remote control to make it easy to maintain the perfect temperature in any part of the home.

Signs It’s Time for Mini-Split Repairs

The fact that ductless mini-splits are relatively easy to maintain doesn’t mean they will never break down. Unfortunately, all equipment requires repairs eventually.

Knowing when it’s time to call an HVAC technician in for help can keep the associated costs low, so keep an eye out for signs such as:

Leaks or pooling water
Unusual sounds
Musty odors

Insufficient heating or cooling
Lack of airflow

It’s OK to try simple fixes at home, such as cleaning the air filters or checking to ensure a circuit breaker hasn’t tripped. However, leaving the more complicated repairs to the pros is also essential.

Ductless Cooling and Heating System Services

Like ordinary HVAC units, ductless heating and cooling systems must be professionally maintained and need occasional repairs. The good news is that the lack of ductwork and versatile use of ductless mini-splits helps to make them a comparatively low-maintenance home heating and cooling solution.

Some experts recommend having the equipment serviced twice yearly, once before the heat turns on and once when the family is getting ready to use the air conditioner for the season. It’s best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and the advice of the HVAC company that installed the equipment.