![]() Better Air QualityĪll indoor split AC units include mesh filters that collect dust. The capacity of ductless systems ranges from 3⁄4 to 4 tons. That's enough heat to melt 1 ton of ice within 24 hours, hence the connection between weight and comfort. One ton of cooling extracts 12,000 Btus per hour from a space. In the parlance of air-conditioning, a ton is not a measure of weight it's a measure of cooling capacity. To see what effect SEER ratings have on estimated operating costs in your area, go to the central AC life-cycle cost calculator at. As the graph below shows, the higher the rating, the more you'll pay for your system, and the lower your electricity bills will be come summer. Ratings on today's systems range from 13 to 33 SEER. System CostĪll cooling systems carry a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating, which compares cooling capacity with the amount of electricity used over the course of a typical cooling season. It figures system size based on math and factors such as climate, insulation levels, and sun exposure. Instead, insist on a “Manual J” heat-load calculation. More often than not, the result is oversize equipment that's costly to operate and can't effectively reduce humidity levels. To see whether you might be eligible, go to /rebate-finder.īeware of installers who size a split AC unit using a rule-of-thumb estimate. Many more incentives are available for heat-pump systems. Rebates: A few utilities offer rebates for installing ductless AC systems.Warranties: Coverage ranges from 5 to 12 years, but you can expect this sort of mechanical equipment to last 15 to 20 years before it needs to be replaced.Decibel ratings run at about 25, roughly the same as rustling leaves. Noise: Indoor units have whisper-quiet squirrel-cage fans driven by long-life DC motors.Once a year, have a technician check refrigerant pressure and flush condensate lines. Maintenance: The filter on each indoor unit should be removed and cleaned every month.Installation: You'll need a pro to mount the indoor and outdoor units and connect the 2½-inch-wide bundle of refrigerant lines and electric cables.A four-zone system costs about $12,000, installed. Cost: A single-zone system with one indoor unit starts around $3,000, including installation.Coincidentally, that's also about how much cooling is typically lost in central-air systems, thanks to leaky, poorly insulated ductwork. You're likely to save 30% of electricity by replacing window AC units with a ductless system.
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