Ducts or No Ducts: Which is Right for You
If you’re considering a new heating and cooling system, you’ll need to choose between a ductless or traditional ducted model. There are pros and cons to both options for your Fairdale, Kentucky, home. Consider your ductless and ducted options carefully before deciding which system is best for your home.
Does Your Space Have Existing Ductwork?
One of the primary considerations, when you’re comparing ducted and ductless systems, is the current layout of your home. If you have existing ductwork, the ease of installation for a new ducted system versus a ductless system is very similar. However, if you don’t currently have ductwork, installation of new ductwork is more complex. Ductless is ideal for historic homes or spaces like garages and basements where you want to add heating and cooling without the hassle of dedicating space to new ductwork.
Do You Suffer from Asthma and Allergies?
If you struggle with asthma and allergies, indoor air quality is an important consideration with any new heating or cooling system. A system with ducts has a lot more square footage of dust, pollen, dander, and other irritants to settle in. These contaminants will build up in the ducts over time, creating a nearly unreachable hazard in your home. Cleaning the ducts isn’t a DIY job. This is something for which you will need to hire a professional should excess debris, and dust accumulates in the ductwork.
A ductless system is entirely free of long lengths of ducts, so there are fewer places for dust to accumulate. With regular maintenance, you can easily keep irritants and allergens to a minimum. With either system, you’ll have the opportunity to add additional air purifiers and cleaners to your home for better indoor air quality if this is a priority for you.
Interested in Energy Savings?
Have your utility bills been higher than you’d like lately? If you’re looking for an easy way to minimize your energy expenses, a more efficient heating and cooling system is a great place to start. A modern furnace or air conditioner will almost certainly operate more efficiently than an older unit. However, a ductless heat pump is more efficient still.
A heat pump both heats and cools your home by moving heat from one place to another. During winter, it pulls heat from the outdoor air and delivers it to the home. In summer, a ductless heat pump draws heat from the indoor air and sends it outside. In contrast, a ducted system works with a furnace which generates heat itself, using more energy in the process.
Do You Want to Heat and Cool Smaller Spaces?
Are you tired of heating and cooling a large home when you spend the majority of your time in only a few rooms? A ductless system uses a single outdoor unit and several indoor units, strategically positioned around the home. You can turn these on and off individually for more customized heating and cooling.
If you prefer a ducted system, but you’re still interested in a smart way to direct the air to specific spaces of the home, consider zoning your system. Zoning allows you to separate particular areas of the house and manage them individually with a smart thermostat.
Is Humidity a Concern?
If managing humidity in your home is a factor, then a ducted system is recommended. Traditional air conditioners are more efficient at removing humidity from the air. You can also add a whole-home humidifier or dehumidifier to a ducted system to adjust humidity levels throughout your home. If you do go with a ductless option, separate humidifiers or dehumidifiers will be needed in various area of the home to help maintain moisture levels.
If you’re struggling with the choice of a ductless or ducted system for your house, contact our professionals at One Choice Mechanical, LLC for smart advice to help you pick the best option. We can help you explore the latest home comfort products on the market and schedule a professional system installation for you when you’ve made your choice.
