HOW LONG DOES A DUCTLESS SYSTEM LAST?

A ductless heating and cooling system can last 20 years or more. That’s a longer lifespan than your average HVAC system. Most traditional furnaces and central air units stay in service for up to 15 years with regular service.

Family enjoying a new ductless heating and cooling system in the master bedroom.To get the most out of a ductless heating and air conditioning system for your Rochester home, you’ll need to:

  1. Have it serviced annually
  2. Keep the outdoor unit clean
  3. Clean the air filters regularly
Ductless systems, also called mini-splits, are becoming more and more popular in the Rochester and Finger Lakes areas. They heat and cool your entire home while offering benefits that central air conditioning or a forced-air system can’t.

Learn How Ductless Heating & Cooling Works

More control over each room

With a mini-split system, your home is divided into zones. Each area has a separate thermostat. That means no more bedrooms that are too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.

Quiet heating and air conditioning

The inside components are whisper-quiet. Even at their loudest, they make the same amount of noise as leaves rustling outside. That’s quiet!

Energy efficiency and cost savings

These systems use significantly less energy than traditional forced air systems. Less energy means lower monthly energy bills. With all those benefits, you’ll want to make sure your new system lasts as long as possible. Let’s take a look at how to make that happen. 

How do I maintain my ductless system?

If you want your ductless HVAC system to last as long as possible, you need to maintain it properly. Fortunately, that’s pretty easy. The three most important steps are:
  1. Having a professional service the system regularly
  2. Make sure the heat pump is clean
  3. Regularly clean the air filters
Contact Us About Ductless Heating & Air Conditioning

Woman cleaning a ductless HVAC system.Professional inspection

Just as with any heating or air conditioning system, you want a certified HVAC tech to look over the system regularly. If you’re using it for heating and cooling, it’s a good idea to have it inspected twice a year: Once in the spring and again in the fall. During the inspection, the tech cleans out the system, replaces any worn or broken parts, and makes sure it’s in great shape for the coming season.

Keep the heat pump clean

The outdoor heat pump is an integral part of your HVAC system. So, you need to make sure it can do its job. That’s usually as easy as keeping this outdoor unit clean and free of any debris. This includes trash, yard clippings and signs of animals nesting. We don’t recommend power washing or anything like that. But, keeping it neat and tidy ensures air can flow through it properly. Then, the system doesn’t start circulating contaminants like bacteria or pollen through your home.

Clean the air filters

If you’ve ever had a forced-air system, you know how important, but easy, it is to change the air filter. Well, the same idea applies to your mini-split. However, the difference is that most air handlers have reusable filters. And, you need to care for them every two or three weeks instead of once a season. Fortunately, this usually only requires you to take out the filter, wipe it down carefully and put it back in. The whole process only takes a few minutes.

Do mini-splits stay on all the time?

A ductless mini-split doesn’t run 24 hours a day. But, they are designed to run for much longer lengths of time than traditional HVAC systems. And, they’re often working in a low-power mode rather than at full capacity. People who are used to central air or a furnace turning on and off three or four times an hour suddenly notice their new system running constantly. We understand that they’re not used to that. People are worried the new system is broken and won’t last as long as it should. Fortunately, everything is usually fine. Mitsubishi mini-splits use “inverter technology” to maintain the temperature you want while using less power. At first, you’ll notice the air handler working to correct the temperature in your home. Then, the system switches to a low-power mode. This way, it maintains the temperature all the time. That’s different from switching on and off to keep correcting it. The low-power mode also means less wear and tear from stopping and starting all the time. That helps the system last even longer. 

Does ductless save you money?

This is another big question we get a lot. People want to be sure they’re making a good investment when they switch over to a mini-split. And the answer is: yes. In almost every case, you’ll end up spending less money in the long run than with a traditional HVAC system.
 
A ductless system uses less energy to heat or cool your home than a forced-air furnace or central air conditioner that provides the same amount of power. They also last longer than many traditional HVAC setups.

Energy efficiency button on keyboard representing a new ductless hvac system.A ductless system saves you money by:  

  1. Using less energy and paying for less electricity
  2. Not having to invest in a new system as often
  3. Getting a significant rebate from your energy provider

Using less energy

These devices are Energy Star-certified. That means they meet federal standards showing that they use less energy than other systems that provide the same amount of heating and cooling. But, there’s a bigger advantage to this than just peace of mind. It’s also money in your pocket. In many cases, people see around a 30 percent drop on their electric bills.

Rebates on installation costs

In the Rochester, NY area, RG&E and NYSERDA offer rebates to consumers who install energy-efficient appliances in their homes. Energy companies nationwide offer these, and they make a big difference when it’s time to install a new HVAC system. Depending on what you’re installing, you can save anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. So, if you treat your system right, it could last you 20 years or more. And, you’ll save money over a traditional HVAC unit during that time. Contact us to learn more about how you can efficiently cool and heat your home for years to come!

If you'd like to learn more about ductless heating and air conditioning for your home, give us a call at (585) 641-3080!
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