This Is Part 2 Of A 2-Part Article

How To Dramatically Lower Cooling/Heating Bills In A Large Home

With Supplemental Ductless HVAC

Part 2 of 2 

This Part-2 of our article about lowing energy bills in large homes with Supplemental, Ductless HVAC (in addition to the existing Central HVAC).  Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.  Additionally, we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (owed by American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same manufacturer as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides full-service plumbing maintenance, repairs, and replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  We sell and install Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  Al’s is near your home in Plano, TX; Allen, TX; and Frisco, TX.  We service all homes in southern Collin County, Texas, and Denton County, Texas with no additional travel charge.

Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience and offer 24/7 Emergency Service.

Image Source: ShutterStock

Image Source: Shutterstock

Shown: Double Compressor Ductless HVAC Outdoor Unit

Energy-Efficiency Advantages Of Supplemental Ductless HVAC

(for the southern third of the U.S. ** )

Note: Ductless HVAC Doesn’t Have The Option For Auxillary Heating Like Central HVAC Does. 

 This limits how far north Ductless HVAC can provide all the heating needed.

COOLING WITH SUPPLEMENTAL DUCTLESS HVAC: 

• Cooling with Ductless can be up to almost twice as energy-efficient as Central HVAC (depending on the System).

• A smaller supplemental ductless HVAC System can cool/heat the same amount of space as a Central HVAC.

• There’s no energy wasted cooling/heating attic ductwork each time a Central HVAC System runs.
• With Ductless HVAC — the indoor units are attached to the outdoor unit with only a refrigerant line.  

• With Ductless — An HVAC Zone can be small as one room.  This degree of zoning flexibility amplifies energy savings further.

HEATING WITH SUPPLEMENTAL DUCTLESS HVAC:

Heating With Ductless HVAC Isn’t An Option For (Roughly) The Northern Half Of The U.S. 

Ductless HVAC has No Supplemental Heating Option for those times when the Heat Pump can’t keep up due to quite low outdoor temps.

Where Heating With Ductless HVAC Is An Option

• A great option in the southern third of the U.S.

• A potential option in the southern 1/2 of the center third of the U.S.

• Not a viable solution for areas further north.
• Areas further north Can Use Central Heat Pump HVAC — because it includes supplemental electric heat when needed.
• If you have a gas furnace — Heat Pump HVAC is more expensive to heat with.  The best solution is Central A/C & Gas Furnace.

Compared to an electric furnace — heating with a Heat Pump is notably less expensive.  The further south in the U.S. — the more homes have electric heating.

• In Minnesota — 90% of homes have gas heating. *3
• In Florida — 80% of homes have electric heating. *4

*3 Source: https://www.minnpost.com/greater-minnesota/2021/03/how-minnesota-officials-are-trying-to-blunt-the-impact-of-looming-heating-bill-spikes/

*4 Source: https://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/reports/2009/state_briefs/pdf/fl.pdf

Additional Advantages Of Ductless HVAC:

• Ductless HVAC systems are Variable-Speed.  They increase/decrease operating speed — based on current cooling/heating demand.
• Most Central HVAC Systems have 1 speed. Once cooled, it turns off.  It turns back on when more cooling/heating is needed.   The outdoor unit requires a lot of electricity during start-up.
• NOTE: Variable-Speed Central HVAC is also available.

• 1 Ductless HVAC outdoor unit serves up to 4 indoor air units.
• For 5-8 rooms — a double-compressor outdoor unit will be installed.

• More flexibility for families wanting different temperatures within chosen rooms.
• With a Ductless HVAC System — each room can be a different temperature.

• During summer — The ability to adequately cool hotter rooms (often due to sun exposure) without over-cooling other rooms.
• During winter — The ability to adequately heat warmer rooms (often due to sun exposure) without causing other rooms to be too cool.

Disadvantages Of Supplemental Ductless HVAC Systems

• Some don’t like the look of the indoor wall units.
• There are many other styles available — See Part 1 for more details.

• Each indoor unit has an air filter:
• With several indoor units — the task of cleaning several air filters might be too much maintenance for some owners.
• With ceiling cassette units in the ceiling, or Wall Units high on the wall — a ladder is needed to reach their filter.
• If you don’t want to climb a ladder — choose wall-mounted, indoor-units installed near the floor.

Should You Consider Ductless HVAC For The Entire House?

Image Source: ShutterStock

SHOWN: Outdoor Unit For Central A/C (left) And Ductless A/C (right)

Question: Would A Ductless System Be Less Expensive To Install?

In An Existing Home — Not Likely. 

Ductless Versus Central HVAC Installed Cost:

• The U.S. Dept. Of Energy says replacing an existing Central HVAC System with a new central System — is about less expensive IF the existing ductwork can be reused.  **

• If you don’t need to replace the existing ductwork — a new Central HVAC System is the less expensive option.

• If you must replace the existing ductwork — Ductless & Central A/C may be similar.  Your HVAC contractor can provide pricing for both.

NOTE: We cannot advise the cost to install Ductless when building a new home.  Ask your home’s builder.

NOTES:

• Flexible Ductwork only lasts the lifetime of the HVAC System it was installed with.

• Metal Ductwork doesn’t wear out.  When installing new Central HVAC —  existing and new metal ductwork should be tested for leaks, and resealed if needed.

• The Existing metal ductwork may required modifications — especially if the new Central HVAC System has higher airflow.

** Source: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/ductless-mini-split-air-conditioners

Would A Ductless System Be Less Expensive To Operate?

It Depends On Your Lifestyle:

• If you want to heat & cool the entire house — A Central HVAC System is likely the best choice.
• If you want to heat & cool select rooms — a Ductless HVAC System is best.
• If you want to heat & cool several rooms (to different temps) — a Ductless HVAC System is best.
• Actual savings will depend on the total amount of space you want to heat & cool daily.

Compare Operating Costs Of A Heat Pump, Ductless HVAC -And- Central HVAC 

NOTE: This information applies to locations in the southern third of the U.S.

• If you own a home with Electric Heat — and want to cool/heat selected areas each day — a Ductless System With Heat Pump will be tremendously less expensive to operate.

• If you own a home with Electric Heat — and want to cool/heat the entire house — a Ductless System With Heat Pump may be less expensive to operate.
• Note:  This is also true of a Central HVAC System with a Heat Pump.

• If you already have an exiting Heat Pump  — and want to cool/heat selected areas each day — a Ductless System will be notably less expensive to operate.
• With an existing Heat Pump — and want to cool/heat the entire house — a Ductless System’s operating cost would be slightly less expensive to operate.

• IF you have a Gas Furnace — and want to cool/heat the entire home — a gas furnace is less expensive to operate than an electric Heat Pump.
• If you have a Gas Furnace — and want to cool/heat select areas of the home.  The best solution is a Central, Variable-Speed System (with a gas furnace) PLUS Electric, Automatic Dampers.

Additional Benefits Of Supplemental, Ductless HVAC

• In a typical house, 20-30% of the heated/cooled is lost due to ductwork leaks and poor connections. **
• Note: Leakage can be dramatically reduced with ductwork testing & sealing.

** Source: https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_ducts

Indoor-Air Quality Will Be Higher If There Is No Ductwork (to collect dust):

• Some dust makes it through any furnace filter — and some of that dust settles inside the ductwork.  Note: For a filter to remove all dust — it would reduce the Syste,’s airflow too much.
• Ductwork accumulates dust over time (if not cleaned every few years).  Note: If you have shedding pets, ductwork should be cleaned more frequently.
• Air from the furnace passes through the dusty ductwork.

Click Here To See Very Dirty Ductwork: Very Dirty Ductwork — Before & After Cleaning

• During Summer, supply-air ductwork becomes cold — and may sweat due to DFW’s high humidity.
• If dusty ductwork sweats — mold has all it needs to establish and grow — (food/dust) and water/condensed humidity).

Click Here To See A Molded Ductwork: Molded Ductwork

Isn’t A Window A/C Much Less Expensive Than A Ductless HVAC System?

Image Source: ShutterStock

SHOWN: Window Air Conditioner

Yes — if the noise it makes won’t be a problem. 

• The indoor unit of Ductless HVAC makes around 25 dB of noise (similar to rustling leaves).
• The quietest 8,000 BTU window a/c (at the time this was written) — makes around 53db (similar to light traffic).

• +10 dB is twice the volume (loudness) to the ears.
• So the quietest window unit (53db) — sounds to your ears as nearly 3 times louder as the Ductless HVAC indoor unit (25 db) **

• Also, for a bedroom, consider the windows’ locations in relation to the bed.
• The closer a window a/c is to your ears — the more likely the noise could become an issue.

** Source: https://mozaw.com/quietest-window-air-conditioners/

If Not Secured — A Window A/C Poses A Security Risk

If not secured — a window a/c can easily be pushed into the home from outdoors.

Image Source: Shutterstock

Several Ways To Help Secure A Window A/C:

• Add a wood dowel between the window frame’s top (or the wall if no frame) and the top of the lower window (where a/c is located).
• Cut the dowels long enough to fit tight.  Noe: Add a felt pad to avoid scratching the window while installing the dowels.
• This will cause the upper window to be forced downward onto the a/c.  It’s not foolproof — but provides a deterrent to a home invader who wants to get in quickly.
• This allows for a window a/c installation without screwing into the window.  We don’t recommend screws as it’s easy to damage the glass or the window’s frame.

You can also secure the A/C’s expanding side-panels to the frame around the window (or the wall if no frame).  This won’t stop the a/c from being pushed in from outdoors, but it increases the effort & time needed.

Click Here To See A Video Demonstration: Add Wood Dowels To Secure A Window A/C Unit

-OR-

Us An Adjustable Slide-Lock (instead of wood dowel).   There are 3 sizes available — to extend from 10.5 to 47.5 inches long.  They offer a child-safe locking mechanism that prevents unwanted opening.

Image Source: Amazon.com Embedded Link

Click On The Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com

-OR-

Use  Metal Clip that clamps onto the metal track (on metal windows).  Place it at the top of lower (raised) window.  When quite tight — the prevents the window from being opened.

Note:  If your windows have drywall surround — check to see if the drywall butts against the window.  If it does, this clamp’s installation requires removing a little drywall (just enough to fit the clamp).

For Metal Windows

Image Source: Amazon.com Embedded Link

Click On The Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com

For VINYL Windows

Image Source: Amazon.com Embedded Link

Click On The Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com

This clamp serves the same purpose as the metal clamp — and it’s designed for VINYL windows. 

Window A/C Side-Panels Insulating & Weather Proofing

Due to both thermal-loss & air-infiltration — a window aA/C’s expanding side panels (to adjust to the window’s width) lose a tremendous amount of cooled/heated air if they are not weather-proofed.   The panels are uninsulated, expandable vinyl sitting loosely within a track.   If the A/C is left in the window during winter — a lot of heated air is also lost.

One solution is to add Thermo-Tec 14130 on the inside.   Tape it along all 4 sides with vinyl tape (like electrician’s tape).  Once installed & taped on all sides — it provides a fairly air-tight seal AND its radiant heat-barrier (the silver part) reduces heat gain in summer and heat loss during winter.   It’s best to install two sheets back-to-back — with the shiny side facing inward & outward.  This provides a radiant-heat barrier for both summer and winter.   It will also slightly reduce the amount of outside noise that enters the room.

Shown: Thermo-Tec 14130 

Click On Image TO: View Product, See Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com

The Amazon Website Listing Says:

• This lightweight, durable shield: reduces sound, absorbs vibration, blocks more than 90% of radiant heat (the heat you feel when in the sun) heat and provides a layer of insulating padding.
• The product features 100% synthetic fiber felt that provides sound & comfort control.
• A high-tech foil heat barrier blocks more than 90% of radiant heat.

Note: Though this product is good at blocking the sun’s radiant-heat during summer — it provides little insulating value.

Add A Foam Weatherstrip Under A Window A/C — A Strip Installed Both Inside & Outside Is Best

Shown: Foam Weatherstrip 

Click On Image TO: View Product, See Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com

Note: Depending on sun exposure — the exterior weatherstrip may need to be replaced as frequently as each year (especially if A/C left in the window during winter).   Once degraded, the weatherstrip will easily lose foam when you run your finger across it.   It’s not likely the interior strip will need to be replaced for years — if the outdoor strip is in good condition.

Additional Insulating Of The Side Panels

If you want additional insulation — buy batt insulation and place it in zip-lock bags (they’re available up to 2-Gallon size).  Simply place the bagged insulation over the side panels.

SAFETY ALERT: Don’t Use Packing-Foam Over Window A/C’s Expanding Panels.

Many products are shipped in packing-foam to protect the product during shipping.  

IF PACKING-FOAM CATCHES FIRE — IT ACCELERATEs FLAME GROWTH & CREATES VERY TOXIC SMOKE. 

This Apartments Tower Burned At Nearly A Flash-Fire Pace — Due To Foam Insulation (similar to packing-foam) Installed On The Building’s Exterior.

(Be Advised:  This Video May Disturb Some Viewers.)

Window A/C Vinyl Interior Covers For Winter

There are inside, a/c covers available  (they come in various sizes).  To further insulate and reduce air leakage during winter.   Tape Thermo-Tech over the A/C’s front before adding the cover.  You can also use batt insulation inside a plastic bag — then add the cover.

NOTE: These covers are available in both cloth or vinyl.  Vinyl provides superior air-infiltration reduction.

Shown: Window A/C Cover 

Click On Image To: View Product, See Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com

Can’t I Get An Electric Heater For Less Money?

Yes, if it will meet your needs.  Noise generated will not be an issue.

NOTE: Portable electric heaters’ thermostats aren’t accurate because they’re inside the heater and get warm while the heater is running.   The heater’s thermostat will likely need to be adjusted frequently.

There’s a solution to this problem.  The remote-control, thermostat-controlled, electrical outlet (shown below).  Place the thermostat where you are — and the heater will keep that area the temp you want.

Image Source: Amazon embedded link

Click On Image To: View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com

NOTE: With an electric heater on its highest setting – the electrical circuit it’s using can’t provide much more electricity.  The Circuit-Breaker will trip if other electrical load is added when the electric heater is on. 

To know if you can use other devices — turn them & the heater on.

• If the breaker doesn’t trip — it’s ok to use them.
• If the breaker trips, it protected your home’s wiring — and you can’t run the heater (on high) + the other device at the same time.

Click Here For A Detailed Article About Electric Heaters: AlsPlumbing.com Electric Heaters Article

This Is Part 2 Of A 2-Part Article

This article was about Supplemental, Ductless HVAC (in addition to existing Central HVAC) in large homes.  You can dramatically reduce cooling & heating costs in large homes with a Supplemental Ductless HVAC System.  This allows the homeowners to cool/heat only the spaces they use.   When the entire home needs to be cooled/heated — simply use the Central HVAC System (the Ductless System won’t run because the Central System is doing the cooling/heating).  There are no changes to the existing Central HVAC System — it operates as it always has.

Al’s Plumbing, Heating & A/C in Plano, Texas provides maintenance & repairs for all brands of Central A/C, Gas & Electric Furnace, and Heat Pumps.  Additionally, we sell and install new HVAC Systems from American Standard (same company as Trane), Ameristar (owed by same company as American Standard) and Coleman HVAC (same manufacturer as York HVAC).

Al’s also provides full-service plumbing maintenance, repairs, and replacements for every plumbing component in your home.  We sell and install Rheem Professional Series gas & electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.  Al’s is near your home in Plano, TX; Allen, TX; and Frisco, TX.  We service all homes in southern Collin County, Texas, and Denton County, Texas with no additional travel charge.

Call Al’s today to discuss any concerns or problems you have with your HVAC System or Plumbing.  We will arrange an appointment at your convenience and offer 24/7 Emergency Service.