If you’re in the market for a new heating and cooling system, you may want to consider ductless mini splits as an option for your home in the Cedar Rapids area. For those homeowners who aren’t familiar with these types of ductless systems, might have many questions about ductless HVAC systems. In this post, Novak Heating and Cooling answers all the common questions about ductless mini splits, including how long do mini splits last.
What Is a Mini Split HVAC System?
A mini split is a type of HVAC system that can provide cooling and heating to different areas of your home without the need for ductwork. A ductless mini split system consists of two main components: an outdoor ductless heat pump equipment or air conditioner and one or more indoor air handlers. The outdoor unit is typically installed on the side of your house or in the backyard, while the indoor air handlers are installed directly into the living spaces, such as the bedroom, office, or kitchen. Indoor and outdoor units are connected by refrigerant lines that run through exterior walls.
The air handlers supply conditioned air directly to the designated area, which eliminates the need for a central HVAC system and the associated ductwork. All air handlers in the system can be operated independently from one another, which produces a zoned system setup for highly efficient heating and cooling.
You Might Want a Mini Split If…
Mini splits are becoming increasingly popular. Many homeowners look to retrofit existing spaces, like an attic or garage, to create new living areas but want a heating and cooling system for comfort. The expense and hassle of extending ductwork into these new rooms and upgrading their current units to serve the additional area can make the project cost-prohibitive. The same situation applies when new additions are built on existing homes.
Instead of altering the existing central HVAC system, a ductless mini split can be installed to work alongside the central HVAC system while providing climate control to the designated space. Homeowners can continue to use the central HVAC units they are used to while using the mini split to control comfort levels inside the new living space without impacting the rest of the home.
Additionally, mini splits are perfect for homes or households that do not have the capacity to support the installation of a traditional HVAC system. This might be because the home is historical or older and originally built without consideration for ducts. In homes that have blocked or damaged ductwork, it may be necessary to install a new duct system when planning HVAC system upgrades. This can add thousands of dollars in expenses to the project, which may make the whole thing out of budget.
How Long Do Mini Splits Last?
New HVAC systems are expensive to purchase and install, so homeowners look for HVAC equipment that offers a long service life so they can make the most of their investment. But if you’re considering a mini split system, you may wonder about the ductless HVAC longevity so you can make the most out of your investment.
On average, ductless mini splits last around 20 years. That’s significantly longer than other traditional HVAC systems like heat pumps and air conditioners, and on the higher end of the service life range for furnaces.
To get the most out of your system and extend the ductless mini split lifespan, it’s important to follow a regular maintenance routine. A reputable HVAC contractor can provide the proper maintenance for your system to keep your ductless system’s energy efficiency at its best. As a homeowner, you can do some basic things yourself, like changing the air filters and cleaning the unit. There are also factors that affect the lifespan of your system to help it last as long as possible. Turn it off or set it back when rooms aren’t occupied to avoid unnecessary wear and tear that occurs during regular system use. Doing these things will help prolong the life of your ductless mini split system.
Mini Split Installation from Novak Heating & Cooling
The lifespan of ductless mini split systems are impressive, especially compared to other common household HVAC system types. To learn more about ductless mini split systems and to receive a quote for mini split installation in your Cedar Rapids area from an experienced HVAC installer, call the team at Novak Heating and Cooling today.