What Are the Benefits of Ductless Air Conditioners?

Flexible Zoning

• Ductless air conditioners are ideal if you want to create separate zones for areas or rooms of your home. You can choose a model that features up to four indoor air-handling units, so you can set up four different zones with a single unit. Each zone has its own thermostat, so you only have to turn the air conditioning on in rooms or areas that are in use. The indoor air-handling units are easy to install, so you can add them one at a time if you determine that you need additional cooling for your home.

Energy Efficient

• Because of its zoning flexibility, a ductless air conditioner can help make your home cooling practices more energy efficient. Turn the air conditioning on only in zones that are occupied, so you don't waste energy by unnecessarily cooling your entire home. In addition, because there is no duct work, you can avoid the energy losses that occur typically through ducts found in central air conditioning systems. According to the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Savers website, more than 30% of energy consumption associated with space conditioning can be attributed to duct losses, which means that you can cut back significantly on the amount of energy that your home consumes.

Design Possibilities

• Because you can install the indoor air-handling units in several ways, it often is easier to incorporate a ductless air conditioner in the design of a room. Hang the indoor air units on the wall, suspend them from the ceiling or install them so they are flush with the surface of a drop ceiling. Standing floor units also are available. The units usually feature attractive, modern-looking jackets as well, so they are not necessarily an eyesore in your room the way a window or wall-mounted air conditioner might be.

Noise Reduction

• A ductless air conditioner also is not as noisy as central air systems or window and wall units. The condenser and compressor, which usuallyare the noisiest components of an air conditioner, are contained in the outdoor unit. The only elements that are inside your home are the nearly silent evaporator units and the fan, so you don't have to deal with droning from your air conditioner just to have a cool home.