Selecting the right air conditioning system for your home is an important choice. The two options that present themselves most commonly are ducted air conditioning and split-system air conditioning. Both offer different benefits and suit different home layouts, budgets, and cooling needs. A proper understanding of how each system works can give you some insights into your investment with regard to advantages and disadvantages.
What is Ducted Air Conditioning?
Ducted air conditioning is a system that uses a central unit to cool (and sometimes heat) an entire home through a series of ducts. The main unit is generally found in the ceiling, attic, or outside the house and cools the air which is then distributed through vents into various rooms. The vents are usually located such that they remain discreet and pleasing to the eye, either in the ceiling or wall.
Zoning is one of the most prized features in ducted systems. Zoning allows you to control parts of the home at different temperatures. For instance, the living space can be cooled at daytime, with bedrooms cooled at night, thereby minimizing heating and cooling energy use. Indeed, flexibility makes the ducted systems a handy addition for large families with varying cooling preferences.
Advantages of Ducted Air Conditioning
Ducted air conditioning provides the great advantage of giving uniform cooling in the entire house. Each room will usually have a comfortable temperature-making it perfect for a large family or for multi-storied houses.
The second major advantage is aesthetics. While split systems have bulky wall-mounted units, ducted systems have just vents in each room, making it very neat and modern. The vents can be customized to further enhance the interior design of your house.
Ducted AC operates in a quieter manner than split systems. Since most of the AC setup is hidden in the ceiling or outside, the noise of any ducted air conditioning is kept to a minimum, making for a quiet setting in the living rooms. This is particularly good for light sleepers or those who prefer complete silence in their home.
Along with that, zoning facilities enable homeowners to utilize energy more efficiently. Turning off cooling in areas not being used prevents unnecessary consumption of electricity and cuts down on costs.
Disadvantages of Ducted Air Conditioning
Nevertheless, ducted air conditioning does come with various disadvantages. Perhaps one of its most significant is the initial cost. The purchase and installation of a ducted system are still far greater than a split system. This can include the cost of the unit plus all ductwork and vent installation.
The ducted system, however, is also a higher energy consumer compared to a split-system air conditioner, particularly if all zones are operating simultaneously. Inefficient management of the system may also reflect in the higher monthly electricity bill.
Ducted air conditioning systems, however, are quite complex and hence would require professional knowledge for installation. Several structures may often be modified, making it hard and consequently expensive to install in limited ceilings and older homes that were not built primarily for ducted air conditioning.
Ducted air conditioning best fits large homes, multi-storied houses, and also for people wanting centralized cooling without ruining the aesthetic of their homes. Though expensive to buy and install at first, one would feel it really pays back in terms of comfort and convenience over the longer term.
What is a Split Air Conditioning System?
A split air conditioning system is also known to be made up of two distinct parts – an indoor and an outdoor block. The indoor unit is left mounted on a wall, while the outdoor unit is placed outside. The indoor unit blows cool air into a given area, whereas the outside unit has the compressor unit that carries the heat from the inside of the main house.
Split systems do not have ducts like ducted systems. Rather, a split system works by directly cooling an area- that is one room or a particular zone. Thus, they perfectly match dry, confined types of housing, that is smaller in stature-singles, apartments, and places where it is desired to cool only one or two rooms.
Split systems are available in a myriad of sizes, as certain models may cool down one room, while others can cool an area composed of two or three rooms. The outdoor unit can handle a lot of indoor units-per unit it is connected to.
Pros of Split Systems
Split systems are much cheaper to install and buy than ducted systems. Because of this, budget-minded homeowners or renters can readily opt for them.
When cooling certain rooms rather than the whole house, split systems are also energy-efficient. If you are cooling the bedroom or living room, the split system can be a more economical choice.
Compared to ducted systems, split systems require a relatively simple installation. Since there is no ductwork needed, installation typically takes only a few hours by a technician. This makes it a nice option for existing homes where retrofitting a ducted system into the house is not feasible, economical or effective.
Heating and cooling are provided in a single unit. Many models utilize reverse-cycle technology where there is heating in winter. It thus presents a versatile and economical option for year-round climate control.
Cons of Split Systems
While split systems are good for cooling specific rooms, they normally cannot suitably cool an entire residence. In the event that room air-conditioning is wanted in several locations all at once, more units will often need to be fitted. Hence, there is no increasing expense and space taken on the wall.
Additionally, in contrast to ducted systems, which have vents that are discreet, split systems have an indoor unit sitting on the wall and visible. While sleek in a modern design, they may be considered by some homeowners as unattractive or an encroachment on their decor.
The split systems are more suitable for houses, apartments, or a few rooms that require air conditioning. They are practical and cost-effective for localized cooling needs.
Which Type Is Best for You?
Blended air conditioning as against split systems is dependent on many factors, including size of the house, budget, energy effectiveness and cooling preferences.
Ducted air conditioning works best for those desiring complete cooling throughout the home, an unbroken interior design, and advanced zoning options. It provides long-lasting comfort but usually comes at a bigger cost right from the start.
On the other hand, certain smaller homes, personal apartments, or those needing an overwhelming cooling need in just a few rooms can very easily be cooled with a split system. Their installation is fast and inexpensive, opening the way for you to control the comfort level of individual rooms.
For really hot climates where you are going to be using your system quite a lot, it could well be worth the investment in ducted for the convenience of cooling the whole house, while a split allows a much more affordable and practical solution that handles successful targeting of cooling specific sections or areas.
