Commercial HVAC Installation: Ducted vs. Ductless System
Being a business owner there are many decisions which you have to make.
Choosing the right HVAC system for your commercial space is surely one of those decisions.
Right HVAC system plays a vital role, it is not only essential for the comfort of your staff and clients but has also strongly impacts your energy bills and maintenance costs.
More the options, more the confusions! Contractors aggravate the situation by offering many alternatives to you without explanation. You’ll eventually come upon the ducted vs. ductless mini-split debate, and choosing one might be difficult.
In this blog post we will compare 2 popular HVAC systems: ducted and ductless. We will talk about their features, benefits to help you make the perfect decision.
Ducted HVAC System
A ducted HVAC system is a classic central heating and cooling system that circulates air throughout the building via a network of ducts. Ductwork is often constructed of metal and installed in a mechanical room or on a rooftop. They are ideal for bigger business locations.
These air ducts transport heated or cool air from an air conditioning unit or furnace to vents in each room.
They feature a central air handler that distributes conditioned air to the various zones throughout the structure.
A large office building in downtown, installed a ducted HVAC system to replace their old, inefficient system. They saw a 25% reduction in their energy bills and received positive feedback from their employees about the increased comfort levels.
Features:
Consistent temperature: Ducted HVAC systems offer centralised heating and cooling. They offer a consistent temperature throughout the building. They are the right choice for large commercial spaces.
Customisation: Ducted HVAC system can be customised as per your layout to accommodate any room size. The customisation ensures all the spaces in the building receive the right number of services.
Better indoor air quality: You can use humidifiers, air purifiers to improve the air quality.
Higher Life Span: If you maintain it well, ducted HVAC systems have a lifespan of about 25 years.
Advantages:
Efficiency: Ducted systems are more expensive when installing, but they offer your lower energy bills and less maintenance over time. They provide higher energy efficiency.
Personalised temperature control: This system allows you to control temperature in different zones of the building, ensuring everyone is comfortable.
Aesthetically Pleasant: Ducted systems are more aesthetically pleasant than ductless systems since they are often hidden. This implies that they do not detract from the overall appearance and feel of the structure.
Ductless HVAC Systems
A ductless HVAC system, also known as a split-ductless system or a mini-split system, is a small heating and cooling system that does not require ductwork.
These systems are appropriate for smaller business buildings or places with challenging ducting installation.
A ductless mini-split system eliminates the need for ducting by utilizing separate units positioned in different rooms.
Mini-splits do not cool an entire structure; instead, they blast air into specific rooms as needed. Because there are fewer moving components in mini-split systems, they are more efficient than central systems.
The primary distinction between these two systems is that ducted systems only require one air handler to serve the whole structure.
The ductless HVAC system, on the other hand, has several air handlers distributed around the building or residence, heating and cooling it.
Features:
Temperature Control: It allows you to control temperature of different zones in the building.
Easy to install: It is easy to install. As a result, installation is quicker and less disruptive to everyday company operations.
Flexible: They are easy to move. If you want to move it to another place, flexibility makes it easy.
Energy efficient: Ductless HVAC systems are energy efficient as they control the temperature for a particular zone.
Benefit:
Improved air quality: The multi stage filtration process improves the air quality by removing the dust and other pollutants.
Noiseless: The ductless systems operate without any noise.
Higher Degree of comfort: Ductless systems allow more better temperature management, ensuring that each room in the building is at the desired temperature.
When to use Ducted or Ductless HVAC system
Space
If you enjoy high ceilings and are unwilling to give them up, a ductless mini-split system is great for you. Ductless HVAC can also be used in areas where there are no existing ducts.
It is costly to make extra room for duct air conditioning installation.
Furthermore, your current HVAC system may not be capable of cooling the additional room, and you have no plans to replace it.
Alternatively, you may add a ductless air conditioner to help cool the extra room.
But if your space has available duct then ducted air conditioning is a good alternative here since it saves you time and money. You simply need to connect it to the central duct to get started.
Climate
Duct HVAC systems remove moisture more effectively than ductless systems. It’s just a question of attaching the unit to the existing ventilation system.
Incase you don’t live in a humid climate; ductless systems can work for you.
Better Airflow
If you want a better air flow, choose ducted air HVAC systems. The central ducts efficiently convey air through each chamber. A ducted system also eliminates air pressure difficulties and stagnant air.
Conclusion
What’s the harm in having the best of both worlds?
When deciding between ducted and ductless HVAC system, there is a happy medium.
The combination of ducted and ductless systems achieves the ultimate aim of efficiency, comfort, and convenience.
Consider this: a ductless system makes it easier to air-condition places where adding additional ducts would be costly or complicated
You may also utilize the ductless system to cool and heat individual rooms.
Additionally, merging the two technologies provides a solution for places that are always at odds with their thermostats.
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to choose between ducted and ductless HVAC systems.
Air conditioning is a sophisticated process that needs much thought. Your ultimate decision between ducted and ductless system is totally dependent on your individual requirements.
You must consider your budget, the space that requires temperature management, and zonal control while remodelling or building from scratch.
