Is Ductless Heating & Cooling Right for You? 

Traditional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems rely on ducts throughout a building to transfer hot and cold air, controlling the indoor temperature. However, mini-split HVAC systems are ductless; they can heat and cool your home using an indoor air handler and an outdoor HVAC unit, negating the need for ductwork.

Ductless heating and cooling has several advantages over traditional HVAC units, and many homeowners in Montana are making the switch. However, there are a few things you know about mini-split systems before choosing to have one installed in your home. Continue reading to learn whether or not a ductless HVAC system is the right choice for you.

Advantages of Ductless Cooling & Heating

• Energy Efficiency - Ductless systems are much more energy efficient than traditional HVAC systems since none of the energy they produce is lost in ductwork. Beyond this, mini-split systems feature variable-speed air handlers that adjust as needed to produce the desired temperature in a home, rather than always running at full blast. This means that ductless cooling and heating will reduce monthly energy costs for your Bozeman home.
• Zone Control System - One of the nicest features of ductless HVAC systems is that they feature zone control systems, allowing you to set different temperatures in different zones of your home. If you like to keep it nice and cool in the bedroom but warmer in the living room, that will be no problem with a zone control system. Thanks to the convenience of zone control systems, ductless heating and cooling allows for improved indoor comfort.
• Better Indoor Air Quality - A major problem with ductwork is that it can spread bacteria and allergens throughout your home, making you and your loved ones sick. Air ducts are often vulnerable to mold growth as well. Going ductless will improve the indoor air quality of your home in Bozeman, reducing the chances of your family getting sick and having breathing problems.
• Quiet Operation - Another advantage of making the switch to a ductless HVAC system is that it will run more quietly. Air blowing through traditional ducts can make obnoxious booming and rattling noises that are hard to ignore. By contrast, mini-split systems make very little noise while heating or cooling your home interior.
• Ease of Installation - Since there's no ductwork involved, mini-split system installation is a fairly simple and straightforward process. Ductless cooling and heating units can be installed pretty much anywhere in your home without the need for extensive renovations.

Drawbacks of a Mini-Split System

• Installation Cost - The initial cost of installation for a mini-split system is generally higher than the cost of installing a traditional HVAC system. However, this is offset by the fact that long-term energy costs for a ductless system will generally be lower due to improved energy efficiency.
• Visibility - The indoor air handlers of ductless HVAC systems are wall-mounted, making mini-split systems more visible than traditional heating and cooling units, which rely on hidden ductwork. Depending on your aesthetic preferences, this may be a drawback to mini-split systems.
• Vulnerability to Sub-Zero Temperature - Although mini-split systems are built to perform in any climate, extreme cold temperatures may overwhelm them. In the Bozeman area, where temperatures often drop below zero in the winter, certain ductless heating systems may not work as well.

Determining If a Ductless HVAC System is the Right Choice

Installing a ductless heating and cooling system in your Bozeman home may be a great choice for you. A mini-split system will improve the energy efficiency, zoned temperature control, and indoor air quality of your home. If you have a newly constructed home, opting for a ductless system can save you from the expense of installing ductwork. However, if you're concerned about the cost of installation or the aesthetics of a mini-split system, you may be better off sticking with a traditional cooling and heating system.

Have you decided to make the change to ductless? Give Monarch Heating and Cooling a call today if you're interested in ductless HVAC system installation in the Bozeman area!