The Unique Needs Of Ductless HVAC Systems

Individuals with limited space at home may want to consider choosing a ductless HVAC system. Ductless systems offer unique benefits since they don’t any ductwork. Instead, you can easily install a ductless HVAC system in any room within hours. Then, you can control the temperature in the room quickly and easily. Just remember that ductless HVAC systems have unique needs. Therefore, you should spend time learning about the requirements.

Harder Installation

One thing you have to understand about ductless systems is that the installation process can be tougher. It is often easier to install a conventional HVAC system. The biggest difference is that a ductless HVAC system requires several holes to be drilled in your exterior walls. The holes ensure that the air handlers inside the home are connected to the outside unit. You’ll have to be careful when drilling the hole to avoid hitting pipes and cables. Once you’ve drilled the holes, you’ll have to find a way to install the inside unit. It can be placed on the ground or wall. Depending on the type of setup you want, you may have to install brackets to hold the ductless unit. Suffice to say, the installation process can be tedious. It is often best to let a professional handle it for you. Professionals have installed countless ductless HVAC systems so they have enough experience to get it done right. Be sure to team up with a qualified, licensed HVAC specialist in your area. Call our office because our techs can install ductless HVAC systems.

Understand the Air Handler

You’ll also want to learn more about the air handler. The air handler for a ductless system is different because there might be more. Typically, conventional HVAC systems have one air handler inside your home. As for a ductless system, you may have an air handler in each room that you want to cool. Although this guarantees that each room can be kept cool, there will be a higher risk that one of the units is going to break down. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t let this hold you back because it is easy to replace ductless air handlers. They’re usually easy to access and replace. If one ductless air handler has malfunctioned, you can rest assured knowing that the others will continue operating as intended. Therefore, you can still keep your home comfortable while waiting for the technician to arrive.

Refrigerant Hoses

Whether you’re dealing with a conventional or ductless HVAC system, you have to worry about refrigerant leaks. Unfortunately, this happens from time to time. Ultimately, ductless systems tend to have a higher risk because there are more air handlers. Since there are more air handlers, there are more refrigerant lines. Plus, the lines are going to be located across your home. Due to these factors, there is a higher risk that you’ll experience a leak. Nevertheless, the risk is slim. If you don’t repair the problem quickly, you may experience insufficient refrigerant levels. Unfortunately, this can lead to damaged motors and compressors. It is pertinent to be ready for such problems. Make sure that you can tackle the problem quickly. If you notice any of the issues below, it could be a refrigerant leak.

• You hear a weird hissing coming from your air handler
• The coils have frozen
• Your electric bill has climbed for no reason
• The system is running for longer to keep your home cool
• The vents are blowing hot air
• Your system is no longer working

Décor Issues

If you decide to install a ductless HVAC system in your home, you’ll have to find out where you want to install the air handler. The smaller unit has to be placed in your home somewhere. While it is compact, it is still going to take up space in your home. You’ll also need to make sure that the unit in your home is not blocked. For instance, you cannot put it behind a table or chair. It is going to blow air into your home. Therefore, the front has to be free. Ultimately, the items in your home and the wall’s materials can limit the number of places where you can install the air handler. Be sure to consider this carefully before moving forward. Otherwise, you may jump the gun and drill unnecessary holes in your exterior walls. Again, it is often a good idea to work with a licensed professional. Doing so ensures that you can tackle this problem with precision.

Water Leaks

You must remember that HVAC systems are going to experience condensation. The water has to be transported outside and away from your home. Typically, the water will drain out through a small pipe. Whether you have a conventional or ductless system, there is a chance that the drainpipe is going to get clogged. However, there is a big difference here. When you’re dealing with a conventional HVAC system, the condensation will take place outside. If there is a leak, you’re likely going to file a puddle of water near your exterior unit. With a ductless system, there is a risk that the water is going to leak into your walls. It can be harder to identify water leaks when dealing with a ductless system. The connections are going to go through your walls. Therefore, you have to worry about water pooling inside your walls. If you don’t spot the problem soon, the water is going to damage the materials in the wall. Water damage could lead to severe and costly structural damage. In some cases, the wood may no longer be able to support the weight of your air handler. To identify problems, place your hand on the wall and feel it. If you feel any wetness, you might need to call a professional. You can also check for a moldy smell and paint bubbles.

More Complicated Controls

Finally, it may be harder to control your ductless HVAC system. You have to understand that each unit is going to have a built-in thermostat. All units can be connected to a programmable thermostat that is later installed on your wall. The problem is that this is harder than you could ever imagine. It is difficult to connect all ductless units to one programmable thermostat. Instead, it is often easier to use a remote control or the buttons on the unit. Alternatively, you can purchase Wi-Fi sensors for each room. Regardless, it can be harder to control each ductless HVAC unit simultaneously. If you use a programmable thermostat, you may turn on the heat in every room when you don’t want that. You’ll have to create a unique control system to ensure that you can control the unit in each room. Nevertheless, it is worth the effort to connect each unit to a programmable thermostat because it’ll make it easier to control your home’s temperature. Contact a professional in your area because they can help you create a control system for your ductless HVAC systems.