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SHOULD I PUT A MINI SPLIT OR DUCTWORK SYSTEM?
This is a great question. In fact, many homeowners face this question daily, especially on new buildings or new additions. It really depends on budget and goals. Lets dive into this:
By far, mini split will be your most cost effective option, especially if this is a new building such as a shed or outbuilding. Mini splits, as of today, start out at $699 plus tax. This will allow independent zone temperature control of the space.
On the other hand, a duct work system could tie into your existing duct work in your home; this is especially feasible if this is a new addition to a home. However, there are complex issues to be discussed with a local HVAC pro; such as: 1) doing a load calculation and duct design to determine what size duct work is needed; 2) if the existing ductwork and HVAC system is big enough to handle and additional duct work; and, 3) determining the appropriate location to tap into the ductwork’s trunk line.
Now, if you have a brand new space to run a ductwork system, we have found the industry standard appears to be roughly $4,000 to $6,000 (according to today’s pricing) per ton for ductwork and equipment. This is the traditional way of doing a new home’s HVAC system. Unfortunately, this adds up quick. With this in mind, it is still cheaper to buy individual zoned mini split systems. However, the downside to this is you will have multiple outdoor units and multiple electrical circuits pulling from your electric panel.
In sum, if money is your primary motivation, go single zone mini splits. You will save thousands of dollars.
Goals:
We touched on this above, but if your goal is to save money, then do mini splits. If your goal is to have the fewest outdoor units, then probably duct work system is your best bet. However, we do sell multi-zone mini split systems. Whats this mean? Well, a multi zone mini split system is an outdoor unit designed to operate multiple indoor units. These are not as cost effective as single zone units, but still a great option. You get to achieve the high efficiency, while minimizing the number of outdoor units you have. The down side: we recommend professional installation on these. Why? Because, with multiple indoor units you run the risk of having a eyesore with the linseeds scattered across the exterior of the space. Trust me, I have seen some really bad lineset runs.
Alternatively, if you’re a traditionalist, who loves things done the way they have always done them, then ductwork is your way to go. Of course, there’s nothing wrong this. In fact, the home I live in actually has a traditional ductwork system, but my sunroom has a mini split system.
In summary, there’s no right or wrong answer. It really depends on personal preference. Further, if you’re in Kentucky, we can help with installation of all of the above!
