A ductless air conditioner normally consists of a wall-mounted indoor unit combined with an outside compressor.
You can improve the efficiency of the system simply by removing the ducts.
The inbuilt thermostat makes it capable to control each area with individual temperature.
Pros and Cons of Ductless Air Conditioning Systems
ADVANTAGES OF DUCTLESS SYSTEMS
The main advantages of ductless systems are their
- Flexible placement
- High efficiency
- Low noise levels
- High degree of comfort.
In these cases, ductless systems can also work as a supplement to central air conditioning systems (like ‘hot rooms’ located upstairs or at a corner).
Another huge advantage of ductless systems is that heat pump models can also provide the required heat.
DISADVANTAGES OF DUCTLESS SYSTEMS
- Cant be installed in every application
- Some people don’t like wall mounting
- It can be expensive
Things to Consider Before Buying a Ductless Air conditioner
If you’re around the idea of investing in a ductless mini-split air conditioner, main factors to consider to get the desired product are mentioned below.
Cost
Cost is the main downside of buying a ductless air conditioner. If you want a ductless air conditioner that’s powerful enough to cool a large room you have to pay a pretty high amount.
In addition to the price of the unit itself, you have two main additional costs to factor in — installation and ongoing energy costs. Some DIYers may have the skill to install a ductless air conditioner themselves, but most customers will need an HVAC specialist for help.
The second category is mostly good news. Energy costs with a ductless air conditioner will be lower than any other type of air conditioner providing the same amount of cooling.
Be prepared to expect an uptick in your energy bills if you haven’t been using anything for cooling before.
Number of Zones
You’ll find single-zone ductless air conditioners designed to cool one room and multi-zone models that can work with several rooms.
The cost will go up for each zone you add, but if you live in a house with several rooms you need to keep cool, then making sure you get an air conditioning unit with the right number of zones is important.
One of the benefits of zones is that you can control each one distinctly. A quad-zone air conditioning unit, for example, can be set to four different temperatures based on the needs of people in each of the four rooms.
The same goes for dual-zone and triple-zone units.
Or you can turn the A/C off entirely in any room that’s not currently in use. This cooling strategy will not only save you money but is something that you are unable to do with central air conditioners.
Power / BTU Requirements
The power of all air conditioners is measured in BTUs. The higher the BTUs, the greater space an air conditioner will be able to effectively cool. In many cases, you’ll see a specific room size provided in the specs of a product as well, but you can also do the calculations yourself based on the BTU information they provide.
Energy Efficiency
They are energy star certified. It lets you know that you have a lot of options that perform well regarding energy efficiency.
As you’d expect, if you want to cool a larger space or more rooms, the energy you use will increase. But the option of cooling just the space you’re in will help you keep it low.
Voltage
A lot of ductless air conditioners use the standard 110-120 volt outlet, but some larger models require a higher voltage.
If you purchase a model that needs a 220 or 240-volt plug, then you’ll have to work with an electrician for an upgrade to ensure you don’t blow a fuse or even cause a fire.
This is an important factor to consider when shopping for an A/C unit. If you’re looking to save on installation costs, then you will need to consider the type of volt outlet the unit requires.
Ease of Installation
You’ll very likely need to call in an HVAC specialist who is experienced in installing ductless vents.
In fact, some ductless air conditioner manufacturers also make professional installation a requirement if you want to take advantage of the product’s warranty.
If you do decide that you’re up to the task of installing it yourself, then make sure to do some research to get an idea for what will be involved.
Durability
Obviously, an investment as big as a ductless air conditioner is one that should be for keeps. You don’t want to have to deal with expensive repairs or worse, replacing the whole thing, for many years to come.
Some ductless units come with warranties, so you know you can count on the product for longer or at least get it fixed with minimal cost and trouble. If you’re looking for more durable air conditioning check for portable battery fan which is a more cheaper way to alter your home cooling.
Reviews and brand reputation can also give you a head’s up to how long units have lasted for other customers. To get a better idea of the best brands, please read the brand section below.
Top 5 Ductless Air Conditioners
#1 Klimaire KSIF012-H115-S Ductless Air Conditioner
The Klimaire KSIF012-H115-S 12000 BTU ductless mini-split air conditioner is one of the best ductless air conditioners on the market today, the Klimaire KSIF012-H115-S uses DC Inverter technology that keeps your electricity cost at a minimum.
includes a pre-vacuumed indoor unit, pre-charged outdoor unit, mounting bracket for the inside unit, remote control and a 13 ft. Installation kit. You can enjoy comfortable, cool air in your room up to 400 to 550 square feet in size. It provides you with 12,000 BTU but runs at whisper-quiet operation.
The sleek and attractive wall mount indoor unit is engineered with oscillating louvers that ensures evenly distributed air throughout the room to avoid hot and cold spots with the auto swing function. The multi-speed fan allows you to adjust the airflow precisely to the setting that gives you the greatest comfort. You can always enjoy 3 adjustable fan speeds, all-in-one efficient heating, and cooling, along with dedicated dehumidification.
The auto-clean is also a great function that cleans and dries the evaporator to prevent bacterial growth to maintain healthy indoor air quality. The unit also has a very useful remote control that has a follow me function where the temperature sensor automatically chooses the operation mode by sensing the temperature around you.
Other key features such as Self-diagnosis, Refrigerant Leak Detection, Turbo Function, Sleep Mode, and Freeze Protection are also included.
Some users have complained of the unit being on the heavy side, and a bit of difficulty in installing it. All these can be solved with the help of a professional.
Product Description
Item weight: 95.5 pounds
Item Dimension: 38 x 36 x 16.5 inches
#2 Classic America Ductless Air Conditioner
Classic America uses the worlds #1 manufacturer of ductless mini-split units, to ensure the highest degree of quality, efficiency and performance in their modern, simple, yet versatile and cost-effective ductless mini-split system. The Classic America ductless air conditioner has a modern and sleek look. It has remarkable features that provide you with 12,000 BTU of cooling comfort in your home.
It features an automatic air swing, a sleep function, a timer, and washable filters. The unit can heat or cool a room in a house quietly, effectively and efficiently. The inbuilt wireless remote control allows the user to select among 5 operating modes; Auto, Cool, Heat, Dry and Fan.
Features an Innovative temperature-monitor thermistor protection device that causes freeze prevention.
Product Description
Item weight: 17.2 pounds
Item Dimension: 31.7 x 7.6 x 11.2 inches
#3 Whynter Ductless Air Conditioner System
The Whynter ductless air conditioner and heat pump system is equipped with two 3M + Activated Carbon filters, and two High-Density filters to reduce odor and clean the air.
It uses the most advanced inverter technology to provide you with energy-efficient cooling and heating. This unit is a versatile machine with its five operational modes—Auto, Cool, Dehumidify, Heat, and Fan modes. It has a dehumidifying capacity of 60 pts/day.
It features Infrared remote control with the follow-me feature, sleep mode & auto-restart function.
This single-zone Mini Split Inverter Air Conditioner & Heat Pump Systems by Whynter allow you to cool or heat a specified area without the need for extensive ducting or floor space. Featured Sleep mode function that saves energy by maintaining a comfortable temperature.
Follows a function which automatically sets the operating modes by sensing the room temperatures.\
Product Description
Item weight: 17 pounds
Item Dimension: 8 x 29 x 12 inches
#4 Senville Ductless Air Conditioner
The Senville Ductless Air Conditioner is specially designed for large rooms, offices, or commercial buildings. Some users found it difficult to mound the unit into the ceiling, so it is best to hire a professional.
It operates using DC Inverter technology to deliver high performance and energy efficiency. The unit can effectively cool your room in the summer and keep it warm during the winter with whisper-quiet operation. This unit also comes with a wireless remote control so adjusting the settings is quite easy and simple.
The AURA Series has a 2-year warranty on parts and a 7-year warranty for the compressor. The AURA Series by Senville is far more affordable.
Please note: Electrical wiring harness and cables not included.
Product Description
Item weight: 26.5 lbs
Item Dimension: 22.44×22.44×10.24 inches
#5 PIONEER Mini Split Ductless Air Conditioner
Heat or cool any contiguous area, quietly, effectively and efficiently with this unit. The series comes in a range of capacities; from 9000 BTU/hour to 36000 BTU/hour.
An automatic switchover feature is available for automatic operation using its temperature sensor. The timer function allows the user to set the system to start or stop running at a certain time. Night mode function automatically adopts the temperature settings to the naturally changing body temperature levels during the night. Auto-restart function memorizes all settings in case of a temporary power failure and restarts. Your system will continue running the same way after the power is reconnected. Cloud programmable wireless Internet remote access function is also available.
Smart buyers choose Pioneer brand Inverter split systems for their top quality, reliability, and performance, available at extremely affordable prices.
Product Description
Item weight: 17 Pounds
Item Dimension: 26.5 × 7.4 × 11.4 inches