Mini Split Air Vs. Central Air Price
Heating El Paso repair specialists and cooling account for about half of all energy used in the average home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, which means that your selection of an air conditioning system could have an effect on both utility bills and the environment. While standard air conditioning systems stay more prevalent in U.S. residences, mini-split systems could be a much better buy for a number of homeowners. When comparing these technologies, then consider equipment costs and operating costs to find the best system for your house.
Realizing Cooling Systems
Most individuals are familiar with normal air conditioners, which use a central outdoor compressor and direct cool air through a network of ducts to distribute it throughout the house. Mini-split air conditioners represent a newer technologies. They comprise an outdoor compressor/condenser in addition to an indoor fan unit. The indoor unit mounts to the wall or ceiling within a single room and also connects to the outdoor unit via a small conduit. These systems do not use ducts, but rather transfer refrigerant through the conduit to cool a single room or other small area. It is possible to connect multiple indoor fans to a single outdoor unit to cool many rooms, or even cool only 1 room with a single fan. These systems typically are not designed to cool the whole house such as a central air conditioner.
Upfront Price for Mini-Splits
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that mini-split air conditioners price about 30 percent over central systems predicated on cooling capability. A single 1-ton mini-split averages $1,500 to $2,000, based on an August 2012 report from the DOE. A similar tech, mini-split heat pumps, which may heat in the winter and cool in the summertime, cost $3,000 to $5,000 on average, based on an October 2013 report by Building Green.
Upfront Price for Central Air
If you already have forced air El Paso AC repair specialists via a network of ducts, plan to spend $3,500 to $4,000 for a central air conditioner capable of cooling a 2,000-square-foot house, according to a 2014 quote by This Old House. If you do not have existing ducts, plan to spend about double that amount to your new systems plus the required ductwork.
Operating Costs
Central air and mini-split cooling systems work quite differently, which may result in significant differences in operating costs. Central air systems cool the whole house, such as occupied and unoccupied rooms. Mini-splits can cool a great deal more economically since they represent a kind of zonal cooling, meaning they only cool busy rooms. If you merely require cooling in a small part of the house, mini-split systems may save you money on energy bills. These systems also save by removing duct losses, which account for about 30 percent of their energy absorbed by a central El Paso AC repair specialists system, according to the DOE.
Installation and Repair
1 cost that is easy to overlook as you compare cooling systems relates to the installation of repair associated with these systems. If you do not have ductwork in your home, installing central air may be a messy and time-consuming procedure which needs tearing open walls and ceilings. This often contributes to the demand for wall repairs, painting and other refinishing which can add to total installation costs. Homeowners without existing ducts can reduce mess and installation time with mini-splits, which demand only a 3-inch hole drilled at the outside wall to adapt the conduit.
