Every savvy homeowner weighs the pros and cons of any major home improvement project before embarking on it. This is especially true for projects that cost significant amounts of money, such as ductless AC installation.
These modern units are energy-efficient options for cooling a home; however, they have high upfront costs. Thus, as Glastonbury’s ductless AC installation experts, we always get the question, “Does Ductless AC Add Value to a Home?” This article will cover all the details.
How Ductless Air Conditioners Can Add Value to a Home
Ductless air conditioners (also known as ductless mini splits) have many advantages. They are eco-friendly, cost-effective options for cooling a home. The fact that they don’t require air ducts also makes them less challenging to install.
With all of the advantages of ductless air conditioners, there’s no denying that they will increase your home’s value. Prospective buyers (or renters) will be more willing to meet your home’s valuation if they know they don’t have to worry about installing a new air conditioning system.
They will also be happy to know they can enjoy maximum comfort while in the home without worrying about high energy bills.
How Much Value Will a Ductless Air Conditioner Add to Your Home?
Now you know the answer to “Does Ductless AC Add Value to a Home?” but can you afford the investment? How much will it cost?
You should expect to spend between $2,000 and $15,000 on your ductless air conditioning installation. That’s the price range for most installations, although it could be higher.
Factors Influencing the Cost of Your Ductless Air Conditioner Installation
Several factors influence the final cost of the installation:
The Number of Rooms
The number of rooms you want to cool will determine the number of ductless air conditioners you need. Invariably, the installation cost will rise with each room you add to the equation.
You’ll need an outdoor and indoor unit for every room you want to cool. The outdoor unit can handle one room (or zone) or multiple, depending on your needs.
If you want an air conditioner that can cool four bedrooms and a living room, you’ll need to buy a ductless air conditioning system with an outdoor unit that supports five zones. Some outdoor units can support up to eight zones, but this approach will only work if the zones you intend to cool are not too far apart.
If the zones are too far apart, you may need to buy separate outdoor units for each of them. A multi-zone unit can cost up to 50% more than a single-zone ductless air conditioning system. If you’ need help determining how many indoor and outdoor units you need, your HVAC installer will guide you after inspecting and evaluating your heating and cooling needs.
The System Size
When looking at the size of air conditioning systems, the discussion is not about the physical size but the amount of heat the system can remove from your home. The measurement is in British Thermal Units (BTUs).
“Big” units have higher BTUs and are more expensive. Keep in mind that you can’t choose the size of your air conditioner arbitrarily. If you want an efficient cooling system, you must select one with BTU that’s a perfect match for the size of your home.
If the system is too small, it will struggle to cool the home. If it’s too big, it will cycle on and of frequently, increasing your energy bills.
An HVAC professional will run the numbers and recommend the right system size for you. Factors they will look at include:
- The general climate in the area
- Your home’s insulation
- The number of occupants
- The number of windows and doors
- The ceiling height
However, as a general rule, you should aim for 20 BTU per square foot of living space.
The Unit’s Efficiency
A modern, more efficient ductless air conditioner or heat pump will cost more than older, less-efficient systems. The metric for measuring efficiency is Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), which measures the system’s cooling output against its energy consumption.
Your HVAC installer will recommend the right SEER rating to purchase for your home. You should keep in mind that ductless systems with a higher SEER will cost more upfront, but they’ll use less energy when cooling your home. Due to the lower monthly bills, the system will pay for itself faster.
Most modern ductless air conditioners on the market have high enough SEER ratings, typically in the approved 13-22 range. However, some units have SEERs reaching 26. Even if you buy a unit in the normal range, a system with a SEER of 22 will deliver more energy savings than one with a SEER of 13.
Your Choice of Installer
Unless you have the experience for a DIY installation, you’ll need to hire an HVAC contractor to install your ductless air conditioner. Most of them will charge an installation fee. The fee is worth it because the installation may involve upgrading your home’s electrical circuitry and carpentry work to pass the refrigerant lines.
When choosing an installer, prioritize companies with a proven track record as air conditioning installers. They should also have adequate experience installing ductless systems. The best installers can also serve as consultants on the job, guiding you through all the key decisions and helping you avoid costly mistakes.
If you make any mistakes that will require spending money to correct when installing the system, you will likely miss out on the added value to your home.
Get Expert Help From Local Ductless AC Installers Near You
Did this article on “Does Ductless AC Add Value to a Home?” convince you to take the plunge and install yours? It’s important that you choose a company you can depend on for hassle-free AC installation services and professional guidance.
At SM Mechanical Services, LLC, this is exactly what we offer our clients. We have years of experience as ductless air conditioning installers for homeowners and businesses.
Call SM Mechanical Services, LLC, today at (860) 530-2632 for all your ductless air conditioning needs in Glastonbury, CT.