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In summer, triple-digit temperatures are the norm in El Centro, CA. For locals, having a reliable and efficient cooling system is about far more than comfort and convenience. When the mercury soars, functional air conditioning is critical for maintaining safe, habitable homes. At Arctic Air Conditioning & Heating, we help our clients find the most cost-effective ACs to install for their budgets, households, and goals. Read on to learn whether a ductless air conditioner or central air will help you save the most money.
How Ductless AC and Central AC Differ
A central air conditioner has one indoor air handler connected to an outdoor condenser unit. With just one thermostat, a standard, central AC establishes and maintains a uniform temperature throughout the building. For air delivery, central ACs route cooled air through complex networks of air ducts that service all connected rooms.
Ductless mini-split systems divide homes into multiple cooling zones. A ductless AC has one outdoor condenser, but separate air handlers for each service area. Each air handler has its own thermostat, and residents can adjust each thermostat independently of the others. Rather than offering uniform temperature control, ductless ACs provide customized cooling. These systems don’t have any ductwork. Instead, ductless ACs distribute cooled air right where they produce it.
Eliminate Duct-Related Energy Waste
The greatest source of energy waste in a ducted HVAC system is ductwork. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and research done by the University of Florida, HVAC air ducts can lose up to 40% of the cooling energy that air conditioners produce. For this alone, ductless ACs are considered more efficient than central ACs in most environments.
Enjoy Zoned Temperature Control
With a standard, central AC, you’ll cool every room in your home, including those that are empty. This can result in significant energy waste, especially if you live in a large, multi-story house with active residents. For instance, if you’re home alone and relaxing in your bedroom, your AC will cool all empty downstairs areas when delivering cooled air to your location.
Ductless mini-split systems eliminate this waste. You can use the air handler in your immediate location to create your desired conditions without sending cooled air into unoccupied areas of the building.
HVAC Zoning for Central Cooling Systems
If you currently have central cooling, don’t fret. Installing a ductless air conditioner isn’t the only way to enjoy zoned temperature control. HVAC zoning systems create heating and cooling zones, much like ductless systems. They then divide HVAC air ducts with duct dampers to support individual service areas. Like mini-split systems, zoned central HVAC systems have multiple thermostats that residents can control independently.
Per the DOE, zoning can help homeowners cut their cooling-related energy use by up to 30%. These are savings that you can enjoy with a ductless AC or a zoned central HVAC system.
Uniform Cooling Could Be More Cost-Effective
With no duct-related energy losses and zoned air delivery, ductless ACs are inherently more efficient than central air conditioners. However, this isn’t guaranteed to be the case for all environments.
For some households and building layouts, uniform cooling is more cost-effective. For instance, you might use less energy to cool all of a small, single-story home than you would to route cooled air into a single area. This is especially true when heat gains from low-use areas rapidly offset localized cooling. Standard, central AC can also be more cost-effective for homes with uniform occupancy and fairly static cooling needs.
Ductless Mini-Splits Have Higher Upfront Costs
The upfront cost of ductless mini-split systems can be twice that of central air conditioners. Although ductless ACs save both energy and money, they represent a significant investment.
The break-even point for any big-ticket purchase is the point at which the resulting savings exceed the initial cost. In places like El Centro, where consumers use their ACs nonstop during the summer months, those who install ductless ACs could hit their break-even points within just three to five years.
The Costs of Installing Central Air Conditioning
For many homeowners, existing infrastructure is a big determining factor in whether ductless or central AC is the right choice. Although ductless air conditioners cost more than central units, retrofitting an older home with new ductwork could be more expensive. If you live in an older building that lacks HVAC air ducts, installing a ductless system might be cheaper.
Which Option Will Be Most Cost-Effective for Your Home?
There isn’t a single AC design that’s guaranteed to be best or most cost-effective for every El Centro home. We’ve proudly served El Centro and the surrounding cities since 1996, and we’re committed to helping our clients make informed decisions. We can help you find the perfect cooling system for your household.
We provide expert AC replacement, repair, and maintenance services. We also offer a fantastic selection of ductless mini-split air conditioners. If you’re in the market for a new cooling system, contact Arctic Air Conditioning & Heating today to schedule a consultation.
