HVAC vs. Ductless Mini Split

5 years ago

I am building a 1200 square foot home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (including the master), small office, living and kitchen (open concept) and laundry room.

I don't know a whole lot about Ductless as I have always had HVAC, but the concept and what little I do know has me interested in considering Ductless. I thought I'd start a conversation about it here as part of my research. As many articles as I read on the topic, there's nothing like getting advice or hearing stories from people who have experience or use these in their own homes! I look forward to hearing everyone's opinions, experiences, and stories!

Featured Answer

PRO

Austin Air Companie

5 years ago

Mini splits are best suited for 'spot cooling & spot heating'.

If you don't consider all 'spots' in the structure then you will have hot spots and cold spots within the structure. While 1200 square feet isn't all that large it's large enough to pose challenges to mini split design.

What does comfort mean to you? That's the whole reason we put systems in our homes to be comfortable.

It's one thing to be in your living room, quite another to be in the bed room trying to sleep. You spend 1/3 of your life in the bedroom sleeping.

If all you had was one room in your house, mini split would be more practical solution.

The more rooms you heat and cool, means more heads you need to heat an cool. The more equipment you have, the more maintenance, breakage and so on.

This is why ducted HVAC systems are best for a house.

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Comments (9)

mtvhike
5 years ago
Do you plan to have your Ductless supply heat as well as AC? Where are you located?
Sammy
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The only reason I would install a ductless system is if I had no other options. But since you’re building from the ground up, and you’re building open-concept style, ducted makes more sense—at least to me. Btw, HVAC, which stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, is all-encompassing—in other words, ductless mini-split is a type of HVAC system, as are window or through-the-wall units, high-velocity, and ducted/central a/c and forced air, etc., which is what I think you mean when you say HVAC. Does that make sense? For your benefit, I think it’s helpful to get the terminology right from the jump. 😉
Tea thanked Sammy
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Tea
Original Author
5 years ago
@mtvhike Yes, both heat and AC. I am located in Missouri. Thank you for replying, I look forward to your input!
Tea
Original Author
5 years ago
@Sammy That is great information, I really appreciate the clarification. Thank you so much!!
sktn77a
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
If you go with mini split, you'll need at least 4 heads - one for each bedroom and one for the open plan living area. And you'll need supplemental heat for the bathrooms (eg radiant floor). Sounds like a ducted heat pump system would be best.

Now let's just wait for the MiniSplit Warehouse spambot to reply with incorrect information!
Tea thanked sktn77a
Tea
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thank you to everyone who answered my question with their experience and advice. It was really helpful and helped me better understand how these things work. I'll definitely be going with a traditional ducted HVAC system. I hope this discussion can help others who are feeling as lost as I was!
Mini-Split Warehouse
5 years ago
Ductless mini split are a great option for your home... do not be afraid!!

https://www.heating-air-conditioning.org/

There are multi zone system with 5,6,7,8,9 indoor units.
PRO
CoolAir Inc.
5 years ago
Yes multi zoning is ideal if you do not need spot cooling or heating. But ductless air conditioners are better in consuming less energy because you only have to turn on the air conditioner where you are.