Are Mini Split Air Conditioners Worth It?
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Time to read 7 min
Table of Content
Introduction Pros of Installing Mini Splits Pro 1: They Are Ultra Efficient Pro 2: They Don't Use Ductwork Pro 3: Climate Control Pro 4: Installation is Simple, Less Intrusive Cons (Challenges) of Mini Splits Con (Challenge) 1: More Expensive, Sometimes Mr. Cool DIY Mini Splits Con (Challenge) 2: Intricate Design Process Con (Challenge) 3: Higher Maintenance Cost Conclusion
Introduction
We can answer the question "Are Mini Split Air Conditioners Worth It?" by looking at the pros and cons of mini splits. Most homeowners want to know both the benefits and the challenges before installing mini splits in their home or business. Hopefully this article will provide concise information to help you decide whether mini split air conditioners are worth it.
💡 Did you know
Got Ductless can help you size and select the right mini split equipment and necessary accessories. If at any point you decide that mini splits are the solution for your home and want to talk to an expert feel free to call us at 866-399-0206 to speak with a non-biased pro.
Are Mini Split Air Conditioners Worth It?: Pros of Installing Mini Splits
Pro 1: They Are Ultra Efficient
There are a few reasons why ductless mini splits are more efficient than traditional ducted central air systems.
- Ductless mini splits don't use any ductwork. Shocker. When central air systems push air throughout the house they have to do it through ductwork which requires a lot of power. Ductless mini splits provide direct airflow and are not constrained by any ductwork.
- Ductless mini splits are able to be controlled by zones. Typically mini splits are designed by placing indoor units in various enclosed spaces in your home. This means if you are not using your bedroom you can turn off the bedroom's unit saving you money.
- Ductless mini splits use inverter technology (see below for definition). This means the system is never wasting energy. This leads to huge cost savings.
Image from Mitsubishi
⚡ Inverter technology defined simply is the process in which the outdoor unit uses variable speed to modulate energy flow so its only using what it absolutely needs. The outdoor will never work at 100% saving you money.
Pro 2: They Don't Use Ductwork
Mini splits air conditioners are worth it because of the pro of not having to use ductwork. This means there is less surface area for mold, hair, dirt, and duct to accumulate. Since mini splits just recirculate air through its filters it is able to capture particles more effectively.
Mini split filters are washable so you can have cleaner air in your home. Higher air quality leads to higher health quality since you are removing external allergens and other particles that aren't helpful to the body.
Mini splits air conditioners are worth it because of the pro of not having to use ductwork. This means there is less surface area for mold, hair, dirt, and duct to accumulate. Since mini splits just recirculate air through its filters it is able to capture particles more effectively.
Mini split filters are washable so you can have cleaner air in your home. Higher air quality leads to higher health quality since you are removing external allergens and other particles that aren't helpful to the body.
Pro 3: Climate Control
Mini splits are worth it because of the pro of having climate control within your own home. Since mini splits are set up by zones, you can have different temperatures set for each zone.
A great example of this is if your wife is in her office working on something and you're in the living room watching TV or doing something that you enjoy you can have different temperatures set for different indoor units. Let's see she looks it a little warmer and the spouse likes it a little cooler. You're able to set those temperatures to match your needs.
Pro 4: Installation is Simple, Less Intrusive
We hear from a lot of people that have either older homes or historic homes where they're really concerned about having to through an entire construction process to put in ductwork and figure out how to configure a central air system. Ductless mini splits have so many indoor unit options that manufacturers like Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, and LG have come up to match whatever room you have.
If you have a historic home and you don't want to run ductwork because of minimal space you can install ductless and keep the installation simple.
If you have new construction, the installation is even easier, You can hide all the piping in the walls and enjoy all the benefits of ductless mini splits.
Image from Home Depot
Cons (Challenges) of Mini Splits
Some people look at cons as deal breakers when in reality they are just challenges. We will look at them in that light in this article.
Con (Challenge) 1: More Expensive, Sometimes
Since mini splits are broken up into zones, there are typically more pieces of equipment that are involved.
Additionally, when considering installation, you have to account for the installation of each zone as well. This leads to mini split projects typically costing more than traditional central air systems.
Now this reality has significantly shifted in the year 2024 for 2 reasons.
- Mini splits are no longer novice technology. Service companies have become extremely familiar with them and have created procedures which help them speed up the installation process.
- Some states require central air systems to use sheet metal ductwork rather than cheaper alternatives. In recent years post-COVID, the price of sheet metal has skyrocketed making large ductwork designs to be exceedingly expensive.
💡 One way to lower the cost of installing mini splits is to consider DIYing part or the entire project. There are products available that give you the flexibility to either install just 1 zone to cover 1 room or multiple zones to cover an entire house.
Mr. Cool DIY Mini Splits
One Room Project
Are you needing a mini split but just can't afford to pay someone to install a system for you? Look no further than Mr. Cool's DIY mini splits. You can choose between more affordable options with lower efficiency ratings (Easy Pro) or higher quality single zone options (4th Gen).
Entire House Project
Perhaps you need mini splits for your entire house. You can also DIY your entire house with a multi-zone DIY Mr. Cool mini split system. Connect up to 5 indoor units to one outdoor unit. Don't know where or how to start? Speak with a Got Ductless pro and have us design the entire system for you.
Con (Challenge) 2: Intricate Design Process
A lot of people underestimate the design process for mini splits. Professionals will rush to guess the indoor and outdoor unit sizes which leads to the end user having a system that doesn't work well. This needs to mini splits getting a bad reputation when in reality it was just designer error.
If you are working with a contractor and they are recommending certain units, double check their work by using tools like our sizing calculator. At the end of the day, its your home and you want to make sure you are enjoying the mini splits for years to come.
Con (Challenge) 3: Higher Maintenance Cost
Another cost that needs to be accounted for is maintenance cost. Mini splits are mechanical objects that need routine care. Similar to a car, it will require expensive part replacements if routine care is not given.
Since mini splits have more components than a central air system you will have more parts to take care of. We cannot stress the importance of regularly washing your indoor units filters on a monthly basis to prevent gunk build up that would require a much more thorough cleaning.
There are a variety of products available on the market to ensure the longevity of your system. You can either do this yourself or hire a local contractor near you.
Image from Undraw
Conclusion
Mini splits offer a clean and efficient heating and cooling solution. They are the optimal solution for most households when they are properly designed and installed. We recognize that people are most pleased with mini splits when they fully understand all their pros and cons.
If you have any questions about mini splits, feel free to reach out to our ductless pro team. They can help you properly design and choose the right system for you.
What are the disadvantages of a mini split system?
The main cons of ductless mini splits are that they are typically more expensive to install, they require more detailed design, and they are more expensive to maintain over time.
Are mini splits better than central air?
Mini splits are better than central air in efficiency, cleanliness, and comfort. The real question is whether it is an economical option for your application. If you already have central air and ductwork, it is better to use mini splits as supplemental heating and cooling rather than a substitution.
Are mini splits better than window units?
Mini splits are better than window units in almost every category. They are quieter, permanent, more efficient, and long-lasting. With mini-splits, you can regain the functionality of your windows and save energy by not having to install window units every spring. Mini splits are far more expensive than window units but would add to your house value.
The Author: Mark with Got Ductless
Mark has been around ductless mini splits for over a decade. Residential sales, installation, and design experience have given him a well-rounded knowledge of the technology and its benefits. Check out the Got Ductless Youtube channel to see and hear more from Mark.