Ductless Air Conditioning System: Delivering Cool Air Only Where It’s Needed
A ductless air conditioning system allows the ventilation and cooling of a building without the use of a centralized, built-in air duct system. It enables existing homes and buildings to be retrofitted with an air conditioning system without needing to install air ducts and vents in the structure. Also, in more temperate climates that do not need cool temperature in all rooms all year round, a ductless air conditioning system may be preferred.
The window-mounted air conditioner found in older homes and buildings is a typical example of a ductless air conditioning system. This system has been around for decades, and it remains popular in homes and buildings which only need a room or two to be cooled at a time. However, this relatively old system has been supplanted by the split system air conditioning unit, which is a more efficient way for temperature control.
Preference for ductless air conditioning system
As mentioned, the ductless air conditioning system is found mostly in older structures. This is because it was only recently that centralized air conditioning became a built-in fixture in home design and construction. In older homes, the need for air conditioning seemed almost an ‘afterthought’ when considering the design and construction of the house.
In newer home and building design, air ducts and vents are fundamental considerations. This is incorporated in the general heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems of the house, and is one of the major parts of its architectural design.
In recent years, the development of home and building HVAC systems tended to emphasize modernization, energy efficiency, and system control. Modern air conditioning must not only provide thermal comfort; the AC unit must also be able to modify the condition of the air to free it from pathogens and allergens from outside air.
Some configuration of a ductless air conditioning system is likely to be utilized in areas where the climate is cool most of the year. Here, there is no need for central air for the entire building. On the other hand, homes and buildings in tropical or arid areas are more likely to have centralized air conditioning.
Ductless air conditioning system & retrofitting
Central air systems are difficult to retrofit because of the bulky air ducts needed to cool different areas of a building. This will involve major construction work, and will involve tearing parts of the building walls and clearing away obstructions. In most cases, this is not entirely possible, especially if another property is adjacent to the building to be retrofitted.
The only option for older homes and buildings is to install a ductless air conditioning system. Those that use such buildings may need to fit a ductless air conditioning system, either the window-mounted type or the split system air conditioning.
Types of ductless air conditioning system
There are two types of ductless air conditioning system: the window-mounted and split system ductless air conditioning.
In a split system, the AC unit is made up of two components. One is a fan unit that disperses conditioned air throughout the structure, and this is the part that is installed indoors. The other part is the refrigerant unit that cools, dehumidifies, and filters the air. This other part is always placed outdoors.
Split system ductless AC units are designed to keep a single room cool. However, there are models that feature more than one fan unit, which can be placed in different rooms. These fans are controlled by a single thermostat, and may be mounted from the ceiling or on the wall. Structurally, these are usually small units that do not cause much disruption in the design of the building. Some fans are unobtrusive enough that they can be hidden with special covers and grilles.
On the other hand, the window-mounted system is a relatively simple system. They are generally fitted in small rooms, or when budget considerations allow only an inexpensive system. In a window mounted system, the cooling unit (the refrigerant) is attached to the fan unit, which are both enclosed by a single casing. This means that the refrigerant part juts out of the wall of the building, while the fan unit opens to the interior space.
Benefits
Retrofitting can be extremely costly in terms of both labor and material. On the other hand, installing a ductless air conditioning system in an old building does away with retrofitting costs. Retrofitting work will also likely interfere with the activities inside the building, whereas installing a ductless system is faster and will cause little disturbance.
The ductless system is also more efficient in homes and buildings in temperate climates. This system enables conditioning only in parts ofthe building that need temperature control.A ductless air conditioning system contributes to greater savings on energy costs, as well as leaving a smaller ecological footprint compared to a centralized system.