As of May 2018, MarketsandMarkets projected the international ductless air conditioner market at $78.62 billion with an 8 percent compounded annual growth rate through 2021. In layman’s terms, this says the market for ductless HVAC systems is exploding and will continue to explode for the immediate future. There is a reason for this meteoric rise; more and more people are recognizing the multitude of benefits of ductless HVAC technology.  

Regardless of your HVAC needs or desires, ductless mini-split systems are perfect in almost any situation. However, they are especially ideal for heating and cooling residential or commercial buildings with multiple levels. Their multi-zone capabilities give you complete control over the temperature of each room individually! At ComfortUp, we have trained product specialists ready to handle any questions you may have. We are knowledgeable about all the top industry brands, such as Mitsubishi, Panasonic, and more. Read below to learn more about ductless heating and cooling options for multi-level homes and businesses!

Ductless Heating and Cooling Technology

Ductless air conditioners are already the norm in Europe and Asia but are sweeping the United States as an efficient, versatile, and affordable way to heat and cool your home. Mini-splits consist of three components. There is the outdoor compressor, an indoor air-handling unit(s), and a remote control or thermostat, which is used to regulate the temperature. In lieu of a remote control, many units are now controllable with smartphone applications. 

The outdoor unit is connected to the indoor unit by a system of two copper tubes called the suction line. A liquid cooling substance called refrigerant is then transported throughout the entire system, which soaks in and releases hot or cold air. 

Advantages

Ductless air conditioners have several different advantages over their other HVAC counterparts. As their name entails, ductless air conditioners do not require the extensive ductwork of many older HVAC systems. Ducted systems waste around 25% of the energy used, as the energy gets lost somewhere between its point of origin at the air conditioner and its point of exit from the vents. Ductless air conditioners eliminate this unnecessary waste and operate with very high levels of efficiency, which increases their appeal to homeowners. This high level of efficiency also leads to a lower energy bill. Additionally, the installation process is much simpler since they do not require ducts. Installing ducts is often expensive, time-consuming, and an overall inconvenience for homeowners, but ductless mini split installation is a breeze! 

The lack of ductwork also makes mini-splits very versatile. A ducted HVAC system cannot heat or cool any room that is not along the path of the ductwork, which easily creates temperature discrepancies in your home or business. You can put a ductless system in any room or combination of rooms you’d like! However, you should consult a professional specialist at ComfortUp first because mini splits are always designed for rooms of a specific size. If they are in a room that is too large or small, they will not operate at maximum capacity and efficiency. 

Improve Air Quality

Mini-splits also act as air purifiers and dehumidifiers, meaning that they increase the air quality in your home while simultaneously regulating the temperature. The mini-split removes any dust, allergens, dirt, or other harmful pathogens from the room during operation. However, you must remember to clean or change the filter regularly to avoid the buildup of these materials. 

Ductless mini-splits also have both heating and cooling capabilities. Therefore, they can be used all year round regardless of your location’s climate. However, if you are using it all year round rather than exclusively during the hotter months, you may require bi-annual maintenance rather than the standard annual checkup. With that extensive list of benefits, it is no wonder that ductless heating and cooling options are rapidly increasing in popularity. There is one other benefit that makes them stand head and shoulders above the other options: single and multi-zone HVAC capabilities. 

Single vs. Multi-Zone Technology

Most ductless mini split models are available with single and multi-zone capabilities. Depending on your situational heating and cooling needs, there are many benefits to each. Single-zone ductless systems consist of one outdoor unit connected to one indoor unit. This means that you can only control the temperature in the room or “zone” where the indoor unit is physically located. Conversely, multi-zone systems consist of one outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor units. There can usually be up to eight or nine indoor units connected to a single outdoor unit, meaning that you have control over up to nine different zones. 

There are obviously differences between single and multi-zones in the cost, installation process, and number of components. These are all proportionally related to the number of indoor units being installed. More indoor units mean a higher cost, longer installation process, and more required components. Therefore, a single zone system is best to heat and cool one, and only one room, while a multi-zone system is best to heat and cool multiple rooms. However, there are other reasons to choose between single and multi-zone systems aside from the number of rooms. 

How to Choose

For example, a single zone setup is ideal if ductwork, either existent or non-existent, is an issue. If your home already has ductwork installed but it does not reach a certain room or location, a single zone system is perfect to heat that room. It is also perfect if you are adding an addition to your home, converting a room to a functional space, or upgrading/replacing your existing HVAC system. If efficiency is important to you, keep in mind that single zone systems can achieve up to 40 SEER. While the best multi zones only get up to 22 SEER (as of right now) and most multi zones only get 16 SEER.

Multi-zone setups are ideal if you already have central ducted heating and cooling, but it is inconsistent across different rooms or floors. They are also great if your ducted system cannot reach certain rooms in your home, and they are perfect for homes or business buildings with multiple floors. The ability to control the temperature in one room without impacting another makes ductless multi-zone systems stand head and shoulders above all other HVAC options. Ducted central HVAC systems often create temperature inconsistencies and discrepancies, especially across different levels and rooms. Temperature differences in your home can cause a litany of problems, such as tension between family members. 

A Temperature to Suit Everyone

For example, some prefer to sleep in a colder room while some prefer a warmer bedroom. This is not possible with a ducted system, but it is with a multi-zone system! Since multi-zone technology allows you to control the temperature in one room without impacting others, everybody can set their room to whatever temperature they desire!

Multi-zone systems are also ideal in commercial buildings. Older commercial buildings often have no existing ductwork for air conditioning or expansion. If this is the case, a ductless multi-zone system is the best option. Creating different temperature zones allows your employees to work in whatever environment they find comfortable. Many people have different temperature preferences to increase their productivity and intellectual capabilities. Additionally, more than three out of five employees change the thermostat behind their colleagues’ backs. A multi-zone system eliminates the need for employees to adjust the thermostat. If they are uncomfortable, they can change the temperature in their zone instead of the entire room. Thermostat wars are a thing of the past with multi-zone technology! 

Mitsubishi Ductless Mini-Splits 

As a gold standard in the entire electronic appliance industry, Mitsubishi obviously makes high-quality air conditioners. Mitsubishi ductless mini-splits are an excellent option to heat and cool your multi-level home or business. They make a Mr. Slim M-Series or P-Series model in addition to the City Multi S-Series model. Each model has a different set of characteristics and benefits, so there is definitely an option to meet your heating and cooling needs. The Mr. Slim M-Series is ideal in light commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings while the P-Series is perfect for restaurants, classrooms, daycares, offices of any size, shops, and more. The S-Series works best in homes, small offices, and light commercial facilities. 

Specific models that are Energy Star approved, come with an inverter-driven compressor, and carry a warranty of up to 12 years. The 12-year warranty is pending professional installation, which is highly recommended for multi-zone mini-split systems. While it may seem as if you can handle the project yourself, connecting the various units and the different components is harder than it looks. Additionally, you may be eligible for federal, local, and utility tax rebates when you use Mitsubishi mini-splits. 

Mitsubishi ductless mini-splits use their Zoned Comfort Solution to efficiently and precisely provide heating and cooling services. Their Zoned Comfort Solution is available for both single and multi-zone systems. The best Mitsubishi multi-zone system is the MXZ Series. It is specifically designed with multi-zone technology in mind, making it the perfect option to heat and cool your home or business!

Panasonic Ductless Mini-Splits 

Panasonic is another top-tier brand that makes excellent ductless systems with single and multi-zone capabilities. Their Total Home Comfort Solution is an aptly named and innovative way to heat and cool your home. It uses their Exterios ductless mini-split system, WhisperGreen Select ventilation fan, and Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) to create “the industry’s first complete total home comfort system.” 

Unlike normal multi-zone systems, the Total Home Comfort Solution only requires one indoor mini-split unit. In the other rooms you want to control, you simply install the WhisperGreen Select fans. Panasonic systems have a variety of benefits and appealing features for those considering multi-zone heating and cooling. They are controllable with a wireless remote control and have automatic ON/OFF sensors and timers. 

Additionally, they act as air purifiers with their antimicrobial air filters. They are also self-diagnosing, making troubleshooting any technical problem very simple. These are just a few of the countless benefits, as Panasonic multi-zone units are designed with comfort, efficiency, and performance in mind.

Gree Ductless Mini Splits 

Gree has established itself as a top name in the HVAC industry after years of providing excellent products and customer service at more affordable prices. They have many excellent products to meet the heating and cooling needs of all homeowners, such as ductless mini-splits. Gree makes a variety of mini-splits in different models, such as the Sapphire, Vireo+ and Livo+ series. All of their mini-split models have multi-zone heating and cooling capabilities, making them an ideal option for your many-leveled home or business. 

Each Gree model varies in some capacity, but there are some common similarities. For example, some Gree mini-split models have high SEER and Energy Star ratings, meaning that they operate at the highest possible level of efficiency. This heightened efficiency has a litany of benefits, as it significantly reduces your carbon footprint and environmental impact. You also do not waste any energy, which directly leads to savings on your home’s energy bill. 

Gree mini splits also have state-of-the-art filtration, dehumidification, and fan capabilities to ensure that your indoor air is of the highest quality. Many models also have self-diagnostic and Wi-Fi capabilities. If you are interested in a Gree multi-zone mini-split system, a ComfortUp product specialist can assess your heating and cooling needs to find the best possible system. 

Switch to Ductless Heating and Cooling Today

Panasonic, Mitsubishi, and Gree are just three of the many brands with ductless multi-zone heating and cooling capabilities. At ComfortUp, we carry products from other of the industry’s top brand names, such as LG, Boreal, and more. Each system has a unique set of benefits and advantages, and ComfortUp has a team of trained product specialists who are knowledgeable about all models. 

It’s time to ditch your archaic ducted HVAC system for a ductless multi-zone system! We can answer any questions you may have while assessing your HVAC needs and determining which system is best for you. Contact us online or give us a call today.

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