I'm looking to add air conditioning to my 1750 sq ft home built in 1958 in central NJ. There's already ductwork for a forced air heating system. I've heard from several people that mini-splits are the way to go and might even be cheaper. But with the ductwork in place, wouldn't using it make more sense and reduce installation time? I'm not concerned about having control over individual room temperatures; I just want a consistent temperature throughout the house. What's cheaper to run, assuming my insulation and air sealing are decent? Additionally, what costs should I expect for either system? Thanks for your advice!
3 Answers
From what I understand, you'll save on labor with the existing ductwork, but mini-splits can be more energy-efficient in the long run. However, if you ditch the furnace and just go with a heat pump for AC, you might not be saving as much as you think on your energy bills compared to using the ducts. It’s a balancing act!
Stick with your forced air system! Mini-splits can lead to poor airflow in rooms, which isn't great as it can cause CO2 levels to rise and humidity problems. Plus, for any airflow, you'll still need an air handler, so your labor savings disappear. If they can install the forced air system in a day, that’s way faster than mini-splits, which usually take longer due to all the holes they need to make.
Honestly, it really depends on your situation. I swapped out my ducted HVAC for ductless mini-splits, which freed up space where my old furnace used to be. Installation took about five days, but if you’re using existing ductwork, it could be done in two. Just keep in mind that how they’re set up can affect efficiency, especially if the ductwork wasn’t updated properly for your home.
Thanks for the heads-up! I didn’t consider how the existing system might affect performance.