Ductless air conditioners are popular among property owners because of their energy savings and zoning capabilities. However, there are many myths that can make you reconsider choosing these systems if you take them seriously. Here are five common myths about ductless AC systems in Elberton, GA, that you should ignore:
Ductless AC Systems Eliminate Energy Loss
Ductwork contributes to the largest amount of energy lost in central AC systems. Ductless air conditioners eliminate these losses by delivering cooled air directly to the room you intend to cool. Additionally, they have zoning capabilities, so you can avoid cooling rooms that aren’t in use.
While ductless air conditioners save more energy than central systems, they don’t eliminate losses. Like with other systems, ductless air conditioners get inefficient as they age, so it’s best to schedule professional maintenance to keep yours in good working order. Faulty components, such as clogged filters and dirty coils, will affect your system’s efficiency.
Furthermore, these systems use refrigerant to transfer warmth from the indoor air to the outdoor environment. If there are cracks or gaps in the coils and conduit, the refrigerant may leak, leading to inefficiency. This happens when the system doesn’t absorb enough warmth from the air and has to work longer and harder to meet your desired temperatures.
Ductless Air Conditioners Cause Poor Air Quality
The lack of large mini-splits in ductless systems has some people assuming it allows pollutants and contaminants to circulate freely inside a building. However, these systems have filters that are often more efficient than those in central AC systems. Ductless AC systems have a washable air filter in every indoor air handler, which removes pollutants such as dust particles, pollen and pet dander.
Keeping your filters clean is one way to ensure you have high-quality indoor air. Clean the air filters in your ductless air conditioners regularly to remove trapped dirt particles. Access the filter by opening the front panel on the indoor unit after turning off the power supply to the system.
You can use a vacuum cleaner to remove loose dirt, then wash the filter with a mild detergent solution if there’s stubborn grime. Rinse thoroughly until there’s no more soap and let it dry completely. Reinstall the filter according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Ensuring you completely dry the filter is vital because moisture can favor the growth of biological contaminants. These can reduce indoor air quality by spreading spores and creating musty smells.
You Can Only Use Ductless Mini-Splits for New Construction
Today, ductless air conditioners are more common in newer buildings. However, owners of older homes who need to upgrade their cooling systems to more energy-efficient models can invest in ductless AC systems. You can also choose them if you need a system with zoning capabilities for individual temperature control in different rooms.
Since these systems don’t have extensive ductwork and have a compact size, you can easily install them regardless of the age of your building. Besides, ductless AC systems are a good option if you have some rooms in your home that don’t have a supply of cooled air from the existing air conditioner.
Ductless AC Systems Don’t Evenly Cool Rooms
There’s a significant difference in how central air conditioners and ductless AC systems work. This difference and the ductless system’s compact size make some people assume that mini-splits can’t cool a room as easily as central systems. However, ductless systems are powerful and provide uniform cooling in a space.
Indoor units in these systems have fans that control the direction and intensity of airflow. This helps distribute cool air evenly throughout the room, eliminating hot spots.
Ductless Air Conditioners Require Extensive Maintenance
Unlike central systems, ductless air conditioners have advanced technology, which helps them to achieve higher energy efficiency. Some people mistake this to mean the system requires extensive maintenance.
Ductless systems require maintenance practices similar to central air conditioners. Regularly inspect and clean the air filters and schedule preventative maintenance every year.
An HVAC service technician can address issues you face regarding your air conditioner. Contact our professionals at McGee Heating & Air Inc. today for all issues relating to ductless air conditioners in Elberton, GA.
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