Mini split ductless air

Hi,

We are looking for opinions regarding ductless air conditioning/mini-splits.  Our house cannot support central air so we are thinking of installing the mini-splits.  What is the consensus on these?  We don't especially like the look of the units, and since they will be used in summer only, is it worth installing them?  Also, does it improve the resale value of the house or detract?  Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated. 

We were told that our house could not support central air.  That was more than 20 years ago.  We found a contractor who could and did make it happen.  

Beth2 said:

...We don't especially like the look of the units...

Look into ceiling cassettes. They sit between the ceiling joists.  They look much less intrusive.  

https://alquilercastilloshinchables.info/mitsubishi-mini-split-ceiling-cassette-reviews/

I would get second or third opinions on whether your house can support CAC. You can upgrade your electric service and many HVAC contractors can work miracles with incorporating ductwork in these old houses. It was one of the best improvements we ever made! I just wish we had done it sooner. We bought the house in 1994 and didn't do the AC until 2019. (Unfortunately our contractor is no longer in business but I know there are a number of others.)

Mini splits can also provide cost-effective heat during the colder months. Some are rated to provide heat inside when the temperature outside is as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. There are also significant NJ tax rebates for installing them.  The heat pump technology they use is much more energy efficient than a lot of other heating options, and there is no local carbon emission from burning natural gas or oil. At least some of our electricity is produced from sustainable sources.

You can be more selective in what rooms you cool/heat, so it’s another way they can be more energy efficient. CAC is typically two zones. 

I don’t know if the same heat pump heating technology is available in CAC systems. 

What is it about your house that makes it ineligible for CAC? 

I had a mini split system installed in my 1904 house and I love it, but do your research and talk to several contractors.  It is both art and science.  My house is very well insulated which I think is a necessity for any forced air system.  On our second floor we put a heat exchanger above the bathroom ceiling and ran short ducts to each room around it instead of wall units.   On the third floor we installed a ceiling cassette.  No wall units.  Our basement and first floor are handled by a conventional HVAC unit with ducts in the basement.  This solution has worked very well for us, but newer mini split tech is even better, and today I would have used a mIni split exchanger even in the basement/ first floor unit.

We absolutely loved our mini split AC.  Even if you can get a plaster walled house refitted for central air, the inevitable duct work in the closets is unattractive and would be a net negative for me, if I was in the market for a house.

Mini split is working great for us. We can cool our house using the "dry" mode dehumidifier. After almost 7 years, even in heat like this week, we have never used the actual air conditioner "cool" mode. But it would never work as a heat substitute for our furnace. Still well worth the investment.

I have heard that the newest mini split systems are better at their heating capability. I never thought they’d be a good replacement for the regular heat in a house but perhaps the warm up a couple of rooms while leaving the thermostat at something like 64 in the rest of the house. I hate using the fossil fuels to heat up our whole house when we’re spending most of our time in our kitchen and smallish family room!

I do like your idea of running just the “dry” feature. I’m always much more comfortable when it’s lower humidity. 

joan_crystal said:

We were told that our house could not support central air.  That was more than 20 years ago.  We found a contractor who could and did make it happen.  

That's encouraging.  Do you mind sharing the name of the contractor?

mrincredible said:

Mini splits can also provide cost-effective heat during the colder months. Some are rated to provide heat inside when the temperature outside is as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit. There are also significant NJ tax rebates for installing them.  The heat pump technology they use is much more energy efficient than a lot of other heating options, and there is no local carbon emission from burning natural gas or oil. At least some of our electricity is produced from sustainable sources.

You can be more selective in what rooms you cool/heat, so it’s another way they can be more energy efficient. CAC is typically two zones. 

I don’t know if the same heat pump heating technology is available in CAC systems. 

What is it about your house that makes it ineligible for CAC? 

A low basement ceiling apparently.

Beth2 said:

A low basement ceiling apparently.

Because of the main trunk? That takes away about twelve inches from the ceiling. 
Mini splits have been better over the years. There are some you can install yourself if you’re pretty handy. It’s a kit that you can buy online. And yes they heat up just fine.