Debunking 6 Myths About Ductless Mini-Splits in Houston, TX

Ductless mini-splits are popular in Houston, TX. However, some persistent myths about them still dissuade some homeowners from buying one. To remedy that, here’s the truth regarding six common myths about ductless mini-splits.

1. Mini-Splits Only Offer Cooling

The first persistent mini-split myth we’d like to debunk is that they only offer cooling. Mini-splits come in two varieties. One offers cooling only, while the other uses heat pump technology to provide efficient cooling and heating.

If your home already has a functional heating system, you can purchase a mini-split as an air conditioning solution. You can also install a heat pump model to upgrade your home’s heating and cooling efficiency simultaneously.

2. Mini-Splits Are Only for Renovations

Since ducted central HVAC systems still dominate in new Houston homes, people often think mini-splits are only for renovation projects. They see them as a way to add heating and cooling to home additions and newly-finished spaces. On the contrary, ductless mini-splits can serve as an HVAC solution for your entire home.

A ductless mini-split can include up to eight indoor air handlers. That’s enough to cover the average home. Plus, you can install multiple systems if you need additional coverage.

3. Mini-Splits Don’t Heat and Cool Evenly

Another common ductless mini-split myth is that they don’t heat and cool evenly. In reality, the opposite is true. With an air handler in each room, mini-splits offer precise temperature control.

You can set a different temperature for each air handler with a mini-split. Or, you can entirely turn off individual air handlers. They offer zoned heating and cooling, which ducted systems need an add-on to accomplish.

Mini-split air handlers also feature adjustable vents. That lets you direct conditioned air to wherever you need it. Some models can detect hot and cold spots in a room and adjust their vents automatically.

4. Mini-Splits Are Louder Than Ducted Systems

Some believe a mini-split will make more noise than a comparable ducted HVAC. Perhaps that is due to the visible presence of the air handlers mini-splits rely upon. With equipment in each room, a mini-split must make more noise, right?

On the contrary, ductless mini-splits are typically quieter than ducted systems. A mini-split air handler makes approximately 25 to 35 dB of noise while running. That’s hardly above a whisper.

Most mini-split outdoor units operate at noise levels of 50 dB or below. A ducted AC’s outdoor unit can be as loud as 82 dB while running. The difference is primarily due to ducted HVAC outdoor units being far larger than those of mini-splits.

5. Mini-Splits Don’t Filter Your Home’s Air

Some homeowners also believe that mini-splits don’t filter air as well as a central ducted HVAC. In truth, mini-splits offer a few advantages for indoor air quality. One is that a mini-split won’t spread dust, dirt, and allergens between rooms.

Mini-splits feature washable air filters in each air handler, providing more overall filtration than ducted systems. If you wash the air filters according to the manufacturer’s suggestions, your home’s air quality won’t suffer. You can even purchase upgraded filters to improve your home’s air quality further.

6. Mini-Splits Don’t Last as Long as Ducted Systems

The final persistent myth about ductless mini-splits is that they don’t last as long as ducted HVAC systems. The average ducted heat pump and AC system will last about 15 years.

A well-maintained mini-split should last you about 20 years. So, its longevity should meet or exceed most ducted HVAC systems. Plus, owning a heat pump mini-split means never having to replace your AC and furnace separately again.

Davis Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. sells and installs the latest ductless mini-split systems from leading manufacturers like Carrier. Our expert team of HVAC technicians can help you choose and install a mini-split to serve your home. So, if you’re considering an HVAC upgrade, call Davis Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. today!

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