Wall-Mounted Ductless Mini Splits Vs. Window ACs: Understanding The Differences With Your Air Conditioner Repair Professional | Burleson, TX
Although they both work towards cooling your home to ensure it is comfortable under the scorching summer heat, there are stark differences between ductless mini-split ACs and window ACs. However, understanding the unique constraints and features of each can help you choose the best unit for your home. Although most window air conditioning is popular in residential spaces, ductless mini-split systems are quickly gaining popularity owing to their cost and energy savings over time. Although deciding the unit to install at your home ultimately comes down to your needs, consulting your reliable air conditioner repair technician can prove beneficial.
Maintenance and Care
It is recommended that the homeowners wash the filter screen of the window unit at least once per month. However, rather than do this yourself, you should hire an air conditioner repair technician to do the job. They will remove the mesh filter on your unit and wash it with the grill using water and soap. Should the professional notice any mold on your HVAC filters, they will thoroughly clean it with an antimicrobial cleaning agent. The professional will also vacuum the condenser and evaporator coils, normally using a brush attachment to remove the debris or even straighten the bent coil fins using a fin comb.
When it comes to a ductless mini-split air conditioner, the protocol for care and maintenance is no different. You should enlist the services of an air conditioner repair technician to inspect and clean the unit regularly. Coils need washing, an exterior component needs dusting, and filters need a change. The professional will also clean the refrigerant and condensate lines to ensure that the air quality being distributed at your home is high.
Noise Levels
Also called ductless heat pumps, the mini-splits are quiet to operate. On average, a wall-mounted ductless air conditioner produces about 32dB of sound. In contrast, a window air conditioner can generate about 78-82 dB of noise. A costly, high-quality window AC unit can produce about 72 dB of sound. However, still, this is considerably higher than the levels of noise an average mini-split (ductless) air conditioner produces. A normal human whisper produces about 30 dB of sound. While a humming refrigerator produces a sound of about 40 dB.
On the other hand, a 2-3 person normal conversation generates about 60 dB of sound. The noise a window AC produces may only be compared to the sound of city traffic inside your vehicle. These sounds worsen when the unit is distressed because of a faulty element. Hence, if you prefer a serene, quiet home, consider calling an air conditioner repair expert to replace that window air conditioner with a ductless mini-split heat pump.
Temperature Control
Depending on the model and make of your unit, window air conditioners have a wide range of fan and temperature settings. Some AC units have only high, low, and medium temperature and fan settings. Other models even have digital thermostats. However, most window ACs don’t have smart sensors which turn the unit off and on whenever required. However, their manual thermostats can be adjusted manually. On the other hand, the ductless wall-mounted heat pumps have varying speeds, meaning the air conditioning unit can run its fan at about 30-100% capacity. If the unit doesn’t have a smart thermostat, you can have an air conditioner repair professional pair it with one for automatic adjustment of fan speed and also keep temperatures at an even keel.
Energy Efficiency
The other area where these systems differ is energy efficiency. The energy efficiency of the window air conditioners depends heavily on the model and make of the unit you choose. On the other hand, ductless mini-split heat pumps are highly energy efficient. They beat the window air conditioner hands down on this front. Unlike a traditional window AC unit, any standard ductless mini-split air conditioner will use 40% less energy. Thus, if energy efficiency is your main concern, you should have your air conditioner repair technician install a ductless mini-split heat pump.
Installation Costs
Installing a window air conditioner is considerably cheaper upfront. The purchase price of some window units is also considerably lower. Comparatively, the cost of installing a ductless mini-split air conditioner dwarfs that of window AC considerably. This is particularly because the labor the air conditioner repair technician will have to put in when installing a window AC unit is considerably less than installing a ductless mini-split heat pump.
Operating Costs
Though the cost of ductless mini-split heat pump air conditioner installation is higher than installing a window AC, the operating costs are lower. According to Energy Bot, as of February 2023, the average electricity rate in residential properties is 14.82 ¢/kWh, representing about 5% less than the national average. According to the data from the US EIA, an average window air conditioner uses about 950W each hour. It can be easily inferred from the data above that running the unit costs over a hundred dollars a month. On the other hand, a heat pump uses about two-thirds of the power a window AC uses, meaning that it will use less than a hundred dollars in a month. If high cooling utility bills overburden you, you should consider having an air conditioner repair technician replace the existing window AC.
Air Quality
According to Consumer Reports, homeowners should always be aware of mold growth when using the air conditioner. Continued use of an AC with mold will expose your family members to a risk of respiratory infections. In contrast, installing a ductless air conditioning system can help enhance indoor air quality. They are also easy to maintain and also clean. Hence, the air conditioner repair technician will only charge you a little for their maintenance and care.
Do you want to replace your current system with a ductless unit? Call us at Minuteman Heating & Air to book an appointment for professional installation or replacement.
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