Is Central Air Right for Your Home?

Today, There’s More Than One Way to Keep Your Cool

If you haven’t shopped around for a cooling system in a while, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that you have more choices than ever—all designed to help you keep your home cool more efficiently. Traditional central air systems are more efficient than ever, and the coolant they rely on is more environmentally friendly, too. At the same time, mini-split systems are opening up new possibilities for condo and apartment dwellers. That’s right: an ugly, noisy window unit is not your only choice.

Not sure where to start? Here are the basics:

Central AC

If you’re a new homeowner shopping for a cooling system for the first time, you may not know how a central AC works beyond the thermostat. A central A/C system uses a system of ductwork and vents connected to an outdoor condenser and a single indoor unit that cools your entire house. If you already have an old central air conditioning that’s breaking down more often than it works, updating to new, more efficient equipment could be your best bet, since you have the ductwork in place.

Mini-splits

A mini-split system—also called a ductless system—uses one or more indoor units, called air handlers, which can be installed virtually anywhere—the wall, the floor, even from the ceiling. They connect them to an outdoor condenser via pair of slim refrigerant pipes that fit in a three-inch hole to cool your spaces in zones. These are also called heat pumps, which, despite their name, are great at cooling as well as heating.

Comparing Central Air and Ductless Home Cooling

Both types of system are great—but both have clear advantages and disadvantages.

Central Air Pros
There are plenty of good reasons to opt for a central air conditioning system for your home.

• Works on the same system of ducts and vents as a forced-air heating system.
• Easy temperature management with the same thermostat you use for heat in the winter.
• You can use your smart thermostat to program your cooling system to fit your schedule and comfort.
• One unit, one condenser, and no equipment inside the house.
• Less expensive to install than other whole-home cooling systems, such as mini-splits.

Central Air Cons
Central air has a few drawbacks that can make them less ideal for some homes.

• If you heat your home with a boiler system and radiators, you would have to have a a duct system installed for central air to cool your home
• Installation can take a couple days, especially if you need to install the ductwork.
• Your whole house is cooled to the same temperature, which can be inefficient if you are not using all your rooms all the time.

Mini-spit advantages

• There’s no need for ductwork. Installation is usually less than a day.
• Low-profile air handlers can be installed almost anywhere—from the wall, the floor, even the ceiling. All that’s needed to connect them to the condenser is a pair of slim refrigerant pipes that fit in a three-inch hole.
• Ideal for condos and apartments
• You can set up zoned cooling, with different rooms at different temperatures for more efficient energy use.
• Mini-splits can also provide supplemental heat, perfect for spring and fall or deep cold snaps in winter.
• Super high efficiency translates into big savings compared to running a central AC.
• Longer lifespan—up to 20 years.

Downsides of a Mini-split system

• Mini-split systems can be more expensive to install.
• Separate remote controls operate each unit.
• Not all smart thermostats are compatible with mini-split systems, and you may need a separate smart AC thermostat if you want to set up a programmable system.
• Units need to be installed on or near exterior walls.

What’s Right for You

If you already have ductwork, a central AC is most likely the smartest choice. But you might still benefit from mini-split units if you have spaces that your main system doesn’t reach effectively, such as a converted attic or basement space. Whichever option you choose, you can count on the expert team at Casey Energy to install your correctly. We’re also there for all your cooling system maintenance and repair needs. Contact us today for more information.