Ductless mini-splits were first introduced to the U.S. about 35 years ago from Japan and they have become increasingly popular due to their many benefits such as saving you energy and money.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), duct losses account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning in a typical home. Ductless mini-split systems have no ducts, so they avoid the energy losses associated with the ductwork of central forced air systems.
If you’re intrigued by the advantages of ductless mini-splits, and want to reduce energy consumption, check out the 7 reasons below to see if they might be a good fit for your home.
You have a non-ducted heating system
If you heat your home with hot water heat, radiant panels, or wood, kerosene, or propane space heaters, the U.S. DOE says that “ductless mini-splits make good retrofit add-ons.” To get the best out of your ductless mini-split system, ensure that your insulation and air-sealing are updated so that you’re not losing heat (and money) out the door!
You put an addition on your home
If you’ve added a room on to your house and extending or installing ductwork is not doable due to budget or structural limitations, a ductless mini-split system can still give you the comfort that you get with a typical system. Ductless mini-split systems can easily be paired with existing forced air systems when you throw an extra room into the mix.
You have a new home
Ductless mini-splits are popping up in newer and modern homes all over the U.S. If you just bought or constructed a new home that is extremely energy-efficient, you might only need a small space conditioning system to feel comfortable which is where ductless mini-splits come into play! They’re small in size and sleek to look at, which make them fit into any home design.
You want a more energy-efficient home
DMS systems aren’t just for new homes! If you have an older home that’s typical in Massachusetts, and you are looking for ways to make it more energy-efficient, ductless mini-splits can be the way to go! “They move heat rather than generate heat, so they can provide up to four times the amount of energy they consume,” says Forbes. Not only will it feel good to save money on energy, it’ll also feel pretty great knowing that you’ve found a way to reduce energy consumption. (And of course warm feet in the winter will feel pretty cozy, too.)
You want to heat individual rooms
Many of the best ductless mini-split models can have as many as 8 zones or rooms connected to one outdoor unit. That means that you get the flexibility of heating individual rooms to your liking and it saves you energy and money because you don’t have to heat or cool unoccupied spaces to the degree that you do your main living areas. That’s right, it also means no more fighting over the thermostat!
You want to save money on energy
If you feel like you’re wasting energy (and money!) trying to make your home’s temperature consistent in every room, ductless mini-splits can be an advantageous option. Forbes says that ENERGY STAR-qualified systems can reduce cooling and heating costs by 30%! When you pair a ductless mini-split installation with other energy-efficiency efforts, like a no-cost Home Energy Assessment, you’re going to see those energy costs dwindle.
You’re renovating your house
A ductless mini-split installation is less expensive and a lot simpler than one that requires a bit more work to install from scratch! If you’re doing a renovation on a strict budget and timeline, a small 3-inch hole in the wall is going to seem pretty doable! The good thing about a ductless mini-split system is that they’re easy to install and operate.
If you can relate to any one of the 7 reasons above, you should consider putting a ductless mini-split installation on your 2021 list! At HomeWorks Energy, we work to help our Massachusetts neighbors find affordable, no-cost, and easy ways to lower your carbon footprint and save money on energy.
Click here to set up your no-cost Heating & Cooling Consultation with HomeWorks Energy, or call 781-305-3319 to save your spot over the phone. You’ll be able to chat with our home energy experts and see if ductless mini-splits are right for your home. Until then, let’s do what we can to make Mass green for our families and our neighbors!
