Ductless Mini Split Systems

Sometimes traditional heating and cooling systems aren’t the right fit for your home —literally. Unlike traditional systems, ductless systems don’t require ducts inside your walls.  These wall mounted air handlers are flexible, and work wherever you need them. Often, they are a great solution in a retrofitting situation. Older homes weren’t built to accommodate the ductwork of standard modern air conditioning systems. With a ductless mini split system, you can preserve the integrity of your home’s architecture without having to carve out spaces for ducts and vents.

Likewise, maybe you have a room in your home that is just too hot in the summer (or too cold in the winter) —a spare bedroom, an office space, or a room over the garage. Not only are ductless systems among the most energy efficient options today, they are also a perfect solution for these situations, too!

As we mentioned, a ductless unit cuts out the middleman: your ductwork. These eco-friendly systems will add instant temperature control and comfort anywhere in your home, without the need for air ducts. With virtually endless configurations available, a ductless system will work wherever you need it!

Your neighborhood Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer can help you determine if —and how— a ductless system is right for your home. CarrierOhio is here to easily put you in contact with your closest Carrier Factory Authorized Dealers, no matter where you are in Northern and Central Ohio —including Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, Elyria, Mansfield, Mentor, Sandusky, and Youngstown.

Find the Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer in your neighborhood.

Happy family of four sitting on their couch smiling.

How Does a Ductless System Work?

Ductless systems are quite simple, and involve two main parts: an outdoor compressor and an indoor unit to circulate air. A conduit connects these two parts to complete the system. The primary benefit of a ductless system is the ability to deliver comfort without the need for traditional ductwork.

The indoor units come in a variety of sizes and can be mounted either to a wall or ceiling. You can also add multiple indoor units to different areas of your home to create a zone control system. Each indoor unit has its own thermostat, which gives you greater control over the temperature in every area of your home.

Do Ductless Air Conditioners Also Heat?

No, ductless air conditioning systems do not provide heating capabilities.  However, there are ductless heat pumps available. A ductless heat pump system is capable of providing both heating and cooling modes for year-round comfort. When the heat pump is in heating mode, heat is absorbed from the outdoor air (even in cold temperatures) and is then transferred indoors to provide warmth. Your Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer can help you decide if a ductless heat pump unit is right for your home!

Man Carrier Dealer showing woman customer how to operate Ductless system in sunroom, with remote control.

How Many Square Feet Can Ductless Mini Split Systems Heat/Cool?

The square footage that a ductless mini split system can heat or cool depends on the size of the system. A 36,000 BTU unit, for example, can effectively cool a room measuring up to 1,500 total square feet, while a smaller unit of around 6,000 BTU’s can adequately cool about 250 square feet of space. Your neighborhood Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer will take accurate measurements of your space, and recommend the best units for your application.

How Long Does It Take to Install a Ductless System?

Your Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer can usually install a ductless system in a single day. They will first locate a suitable location to place the outdoor unit, then will connect the refrigerant and power lines to the indoor unit. Because there are no ducts, installation is minimally invasive —no tearing open walls, patching or repainting is required!

Benefits of Going Ductless

A ductless system offers several distinct advantages over traditional HVAC systems:

  • The ability to independently control temperatures across your home
  • Improved energy savings and lower utility bills
  • No energy loss through duct leaks
  • A flexible option for homes without ducts or those in need of new ductwork
  • Add a mini split to new additions, sunrooms, and other areas without air ducts
  • Ductless systems are extremely quiet, making them a good choice for bedrooms and other areas where you want to minimize noise
  • Affordable installation
  • Easy to maintain
  • Advanced filtration systems for cleaner air

HVAC systems connected to air ducts are less efficient. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), more than 30 percent of the air in your ductwork can escape, especially if the ducts are in an unconditioned space —like an attic or a crawl space. Adding a ductless system to your home increases energy efficiency. You won't experience air loss since your heating and cooling equipment isn't attached to, or dependent on, ductwork.

Outdoor unit for Carrier Ductless system on wood deck, viewed from backyard.

Ductless Installation or Replacement

As with any major household appliance, it is important to rely on a trusted professional to install your ductless system. Your Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer will safely and efficiently connect the power to your new ductless system and add refrigerant to the lines to ensure the best possible performance of your unit.

The dealers of CarrierOhio work hard to make sure the process is as simple as possible for you. With an array of financing options to make sure the project fits your budget, and maintenance packages to make sure your unit is always operating efficiently, your new ductless system will continue to offer energy-efficient comfort to your home for years to come!

Ductless Repairs

Here are the top three signs that you need to get your ductless system repaired:

  1. Spotty comfort - Hot and cold spots could be due to several factors, such as a dirty air filter, a refrigerant leak, or a problem with the compressor.
  2. Strange noises - Common noises that may indicate a problem include grinding, squealing, or clicking noises.
  3. Water leaks - This could be due to a blockage in the condensate drain line, a frozen evaporator coil, or a refrigerant leak.

Ductless Maintenance

Dirt and neglect are the biggest enemies to any HVAC system —ductless systems included! You invest a lot in your equipment, and professional maintenance ensures that you get the most mileage out of your investment. Be sure to ask your Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer about a maintenance service agreement, too; not only will this ensure that your system gets the attention it requires annually, but you’ll also help to offset the cost of parts, labor and service calls.

Is your system leaking refrigerant? Are you concerned that there is a clog in the condensate drain? Maybe it’s only providing spotty comfort. When an issue pops up, you can count on your Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer to resolve the problem quickly and efficiently!

Motorcycle in home garage with Carrier Ductless system on wall above.

How Do I Maintain a Ductless System?

Ductless mini split systems require surprisingly little maintenance. Proper maintenance on your system can help reduce the risk of minor issues turning into costly repairs. It is important that you check your filters regularly and clean them when necessary, and also to schedule an annual checkup of your system with your Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer to keep it running at the highest possible performance level.

Woman seated comfortably on sofa with iPad or Tablet, with Carrier Ductless system on wall above. Enjoy a More Comfortable Home

With a Carrier ductless mini split in your home, you’ll enjoy the benefits right away. You’ll smooth out temperature differences from room to room, you’ll climate control those hard-to-reach places, and preserve the architectural integrity of your home. CarrierOhio is ready to put you in contact with your neighborhood Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer today to get the process started. When you’re ready, you can find a dealer here.