Residential air conditioning installation can be expensive, but it is essential to improve the comfort of your home.

Ducted and ductless air conditioning are both excellent options for whole-house cooling, but they work differently. Here are a few things to consider to determine which one is best for you.

Ducted Air Conditioning

If your house already has working HVAC ductwork, adding a central air conditioner is essential to take advantage of the existing HVAC infrastructure. Ducted air conditioning uses the air ducts running in hidden areas of a home to deliver cool refreshing air. It is also called central air conditioning.

Consider a ducted air conditioning system to achieve the following goals:

• Take Advantage Of Existing HVAC Infrastructure – if you intend to heat your home using an already installed air duct system, it is only logical to use the same air ducts for home cooling purposes.
• Cool Your Space Uniformly – ducted systems are ideal for achieving uniform distribution of cooled air indoors. As long as supply air vents are strategically positioned and unobstructed, you do not have to worry about having hot spots in your home.
• Minimize The Impact On Your House Interior Design – ducted air conditioners are not as obtrusive as their ductless cousins, which have sizable air handling units mounted on the interior walls of different rooms. 

The main drawback of installing a ducted AC system is that the upfront cost can be prohibitive if your home lacks air ducts. The air ducts should be airtight and well-insulated to work efficiently.

Ductless Air Conditioning  

As the name implies, a ducted AC system does not require air ducts to cool your home. Instead, it relies on air handlers installed in individual rooms to deliver the desired cooling action.

Consider a ductless or mini-split system to reap these benefits:

• Save Money On HVAC Ductwork Installation Costs – installing a ducted home cooling system can be cost-prohibitive if you don't have an existing air duct system. Choosing a ductless system helps eliminate HVAC ductwork installation costs, reducing the total AC installation cost.
• Enjoy Zoned Cooling – since every room has dedicated air handling units, you can cool some rooms independently of others.
• Preserve Valuable Space – HVAC ductwork installation takes up valuable space in various areas, including the attic, crawl space, and basement. Choosing a ductless system over a ducted one will help preserve some of these spaces for more practical use.

The main disadvantage of ductless air conditioning is it can significantly interfere with the general look and feel of house interiors.

When summer temperatures arrive, your air conditioning system will supply cooled air throughout the house to keep you comfortable. It accomplishes this by drawing heat from your house interiors and transferring it to the outside environment. That said, not all air conditioners are created equal, and you do not want to get stuck with the wrong one.

Contact an HVAC service such as Wisser Coal & Fuel Oil for more information about your air conditioning options.