The vast majority of homes in the northeast are still heated with boilers and furnaces. But electric-powered ductless mini-splits are starting to gain some traction among Boston homeowners looking for a more energy-efficient, sustainable, and flexible heating option. If you’re interested in the benefits of ductless HVAC systems but don’t want to get rid of your primary system, you don’t have to! Mini-splits make great heating supplements for boilers and furnaces.
Can you add a mini-split to central air systems?
Yes! Ductless mini-splits are easily combined with central HVAC systems to meet your home’s heating and cooling needs. Whether you have a boiler or a furnace, installing a mini-split is a quick, convenient, and simple process. You can install an indoor handling unit in any room where you want additional temperature control or in rooms where you don’t currently have it. Mini-splits are especially ideal for rooms not attached to your main heating system since extending ductwork from your central system would cost a significant amount of time and money.
Installing single vs multi-zone systems
Ductless HVAC systems have only three main components: an outdoor compressor, indoor handling units, and connecting lines. The number of indoor units you’ll need depends on your home’s heating and cooling needs. Single-zone systems, which only require one mini-split, are sufficient for average-sized rooms.
If you want temperature control in more than one room, you’ll need to install a multi-zone system with various indoor handling units. Most ductless HVAC systems can handle up to five mini-splits which gives you the ability to heat five different zones. It’s important to note that there are also different mini-split sizes based on the square footage they can cover.
The advantages of supplementing with ductless HVAC systems.
Increase the energy efficiency of your main system.
Ductwork is one of the biggest drawbacks of heating your home with a furnace. With up to 30% of air escaping through ductwork cracks, gaps, and poor connections, even the most energy-efficient units will end up losing air and wasting energy. By installing ductless mini-splits in highly trafficked rooms, you can unburden your central unit while increasing the energy efficiency of your home’s heating.
Improve your home’s temperature control flexibility.
Boston homeowners have ever-changing heating and cooling needs. Whether it’s something as simple as your temperature preferences fluctuating or as momentous as adding another member to the family, your home’s initial HVAC system can’t always meet your future needs. Given the cost of installing an entirely new system, many homeowners look for a viable alternative. That’s where ductless mini-splits can help. These systems can greatly increase your temperature control by allowing for heating and cooling in individual rooms.
Boost the lifespan of your ductless mini-split.
Supplementing with a ductless HVAC system doesn’t just benefit your primary system. The advantages of this coupling extend to your mini-splits too. By sharing your home’s heating and cooling needs, your ductless mini-split has a better chance of reaching its full lifespan. That means more savings and fewer repair costs for you! Although modern ductless HVAC systems work perfectly fine in freezing temperatures, relying more on your furnace or boiler can further increase the return on your investment.
Hire a professional for optimum results.
Supplementing your current HVAC system with mini-split technology is a fantastic way to increase flexibility, boost savings, and optimize comfort without having to spend a lot on an entire replacement. When installing a new ductless mini-split system, Boston homeowners should work with a talented and reliable provider with extensive experience pairing new models with legacy systems. These professionals can pinpoint the best kind of ductless systems to meet your home’s specific heating and cooling needs.
Interested in supplementing your current heating system with a flexible and energy-efficient mini-split? The New England Ductless team can help! As local ductless experts, we’ve been helping Boston homeowners make the most of ductless technology for years. Book an appointment today to get started.