Aussie Industrial Fix-its

If you are trying to decide between installing a central AC system or a ductless unit, there are some important considerations such as installation cost, ease of maintenance and efficiency that will affect your decision. And on nearly all these factors, you will find that a ductless AC unit can offer you more for less when compared to a central AC system. With that in mind, here are the answers to some commonly asked ductless AC questions.

1. What's the Difference Between Ductless AC and Central Air? Unlike a central air system, a ductless AC unit does not require ductwork to be installed into your walls, floors or ceiling. Instead, a ductless AC system consists of an indoor air-handling unit, and an outdoor condenser that are attached by copper tubing and electrical wires.

Because a central air system requires ducts, it is much more labor intensive to install than a ductless unit, resulting in higher setup costs. If budget is a big consideration, a ductless AC unit is the clear choice.

2. Can You Install a Ductless Unit Yourself? You can, but there are several things to keep in mind. One is that a ductless unit, while not as complicated to install as a central air system, still requires you to understand some basics about electrical wiring, running the coolant and knowing how to install drainage lines.

Another factor is that if you incorrectly install the ductless unit, you will void the warranty, which means that you will be responsible for paying for anything that goes awry with the unit. All things being equal, you're better off hiring a professional like Airtherm Airconditioning Pty Ltd to do the job.

3. What Are Some Advantages of a Ductless Unit? In addition to a lower installation than a central air system, a ductless unit gives you the option of controlling what areas of a home or office you want to cool. For example, a central air system blows air to all parts of your home or office at the same rate. With a ductless unit, you can choose which rooms to cool.

If you only want to control the temperature in one room, then a single air-handler unit is sufficient. But you can also buy zoned ductless units, with multiple air-handlers that you can mount in other rooms. The thermostat on each air-handler can be set at a different temperature, which means that rooms that aren't occupied often can be set to cool at much lower rate than frequently used rooms. This type of zoning can save you money, because you control the amount of time that AC is being used.