If you own an older home, you’re probably aware of its quirks and limitations. One of them might be a lack of built-in HVAC ductwork. It didn’t become a standard feature in newly constructed homes until the 1960s.
As a result, your older home likely has either an electric resistance or hydronic heating system and no central AC. For a long time, the best cooling solution for older homes was window air conditioners, and you may even believe that’s still your only viable option.
Thankfully, that’s no longer the case. Today, you can install a ductless HVAC system to handle your home’s heating and cooling needs. Here are reasons why ductless systems are a perfect fit for many older homes.
What Is a Ductless HVAC?
A conventional ducted HVAC system uses a single outdoor unit a nd a single indoor air handler, which relies on ductwork to carry conditioned air throughout the home. Ductless systems obviate the need for ductwork by using multiple smaller indoor air handlers. Ductless HVACs have a longer history than you might realize.
They first appeared in post-war Japan, where crowded cities left little room for large central HVAC systems. Mitsubishi Electric’s new approach to heating and cooling led to the development of its aptly named Ductless Mini Split Heating and Cooling System. In 1959, the company began selling the system, which featured a single, sleek, wall-mountable outdoor unit and multiple small air handlers.
The Mitsubishi mini-split system used heat pump technology for efficient heating and cooling, and today’s mini-splits still do. Heat pumps work like conventional air conditioners in cooling mode.
In heating mode, they reverse their refrigerant flow. This allows them to extract heat energy from the outdoor air and carry it indoors to warm your home. Ductless mini-splits are common in much of the developed world.
They’re just now gaining traction in the US. That’s mainly because homebuilders began installing ductwork in most homes just as mini-splits became available.
The Benefits of a Ductless Mini-split in an Older Home
Ductless mini-splits are a perfect match for older homes for multiple reasons. Here are the most important among them.
Ease of Installation
If your older home lacks ductwork, installing it can be costly and destructive. You’d need to damage multiple finished walls or sacrifice space inside your rooms. Mini-splits only need a few small holes in your walls near each air handler.
Each air handler is connected to the outdoor unit using a bundle of refrigerant and electrical cables. The only other thing running through your walls is a condensate drain tube. The outdoor unit supplies the needed electricity, and refrigerant flows as required.
So, most homes don’t require substantial electrical system modifications to support a mini-split.
Energy Savings
A mini-split could reduce energy usage if your home uses window air conditioners. Window air conditioners are the most inefficient cooling method because they operate on a small scale. They also allow significant energy waste as conditioned air escapes through them and the surrounding windows.
A ductless mini-split is typically more efficient in cooling mode than a central AC. In heating mode, a mini-split heat pump is even more efficient. In that mode, heat pumps can operate at efficiency levels approaching 400%.
Quiet Operation
Mini-splits are designed to operate with minimal noise, making them an excellent choice for maintaining a peaceful and comfortable home environment. The average indoor air handler for a ductless mini-split produces just 32 dB of sound while running—equivalent to the gentle hum of a quiet whisper in a closed room.
In contrast, traditional window air conditioners typically generate noise levels between 50 and 60 dB, making them noticeably louder. For even greater noise reduction, many mini-splits come with a special quiet mode, allowing them to operate at nearly silent levels, perfect for bedrooms, offices, or any space where tranquility is a priority.
The outdoor unit of a mini-split is equally impressive in its quiet operation. Most models run at about 55 dB, which is significantly quieter than conventional central AC outdoor units that can reach 70 dB or more. With their whisper-quiet performance both indoors and outdoors, mini-splits offer a noise-free solution for efficient and comfortable cooling and heating.
Zoned Heating and Cooling
Another reason ductless mini-splits work so well in older homes is that they offer zoned heating and cooling. With a mini-split, you can control each air handler independently of the others. That can improve the comfort of your home, especially if it isn’t well air-sealed.
It means you can turn individual air handlers up higher to compensate. The inverse is also true. With a mini-split, you can turn off air handlers in rooms you’re not using.
This prevents you from spending money on heating and cooling rooms unnecessarily. No centralized HVAC system gives you such fine-grained control over home temperatures.
Superior Humidity Control
Humidity can be a comfort challenge in the Dixon area, particularly in the summer. If you currently use window air conditioners for cooling, you should know that they don’t always effectively dehumidify the air. This can make your home more uncomfortable than it should be, even at moderate temperatures.
Mini-split HVAC systems are far more effective at dehumidifying your home’s air. Many even have dedicated dry modes that reduce humidity without drastically lowering room temperatures. This saves plenty of electricity on mild days that are just a bit too humid for your comfort.
Perfect for Electrification
As California prioritizes electrification to slow climate change, owners of older homes face unique challenges. One is eliminating their fossil-fuel-powered heating systems. Ductless mini-splits are the perfect solution for this.
They are all-electric, yet far more efficient than other electric HVAC options. Plus, mini-splits pair well with rooftop solar systems and on-site battery storage.
Local Ductless Mini-split Experts
Since 1991, Greiner Heating and Air has offered quality heating services and cooling solutions to homeowners in Dixon. This includes selling, installing, and servicing the latest ductless mini-split systems. We also provide comprehensive installation, maintenance, and repair services for all other HVAC types. We service water heaters, offer indoor air quality services, and install thermostats and ductwork.
Our HVAC technicians are highly trained and have decades of collective experience. They have the skills to make a mini-split installation in your older home as convenient as possible. We also offer financing options on approved credit and can help you navigate available incentive programs.
If you want a ductless mini-split installed in your Dixon home, contact Greiner Heating and Air today!
