Ductless Mini-Split Lifespan: How Long Should My Unit Last?
Home heating and air conditioning systems cost thousands of dollars for an average home, making it a huge investment. So, it’s only natural to wish that your HVAC unit works well for many years.
Homeowners spend a lot of time researching what the best system is for them. And oftentimes, this search leads them to ductless mini-split systems.
For those who are interested in ductless HVAC systems, this article discusses ductless mini split lifespan. We’ll also discuss the several factors that affect its longevity and compare ductless to centralized heating and cooling systems.
So, read on to know what type of HVAC unit is for you…
Ductless Mini-Split Lifespan: How Long Should My Unit Last?
Contents
Traditional air conditioners, in general, last for at least 10 years. But if you’re looking to have a ductless HVAC system, you can expect it to last for more than 20 years.
Only very few home appliances can match this lifespan, which really shows that ductless systems are worth the money. However, to make sure that your system lasts for as long as its expected to, you need to be mindful of several factors that we’ll discuss below.
Factors That Affect Ductless HVAC Longevity
1. Level Of Care Your Ductless Mini-Split Receives
HVAC systems need to be cared for to perform well and live for more than 20 years. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you need to go over them every day to see if anything’s wrong. You only need to do a few simple but important things like checking your air filters monthly and cleaning them when they get dirty or dusty.
But the most important thing that you should do is scheduling professional HVAC maintenance at least twice a year.
Certified HVAC technicians, like the ones from Lawes Company, can check your unit’s components, clean them up, and do tests to ensure that your system is working well. After that, if anything is indeed wrong, they can make adjustments that will maintain the efficiency and performance of your unit.
2. Frequency Of Use
How frequently you use your HVAC system can affect the lifespan of its component. Naturally, the more you use your system, the more it can lead to faster wear and tear.
Homeowners living in areas with extreme temperatures sometimes have no choice but to use their HVAC systems every day, sometimes making it run for the entire day. If you’re one of them, the best option you have is to use milder thermostat settings, so the HVAC system doesn’t have to work hard.
It’s highly recommended to keep temperatures between 71-78 °F, which is already enough to keep your family comfortable no matter what the weather is outside.
Another thing you should remember is to do these two things when you’re away: (1) turn the temperature down when your ductless mini-split is heating, and (2) turn it up when it’s cooling. This should help keep your bills manageable and reduce wear and tear.
3. Quality of Ductless Heat Pump Equipment
Any equipment made of higher quality materials tends to last longer, and this goes the same with ductless heat pumps.
Oftentimes, the cheaper the system, the lower the quality of the materials used, too. And though it is tempting to go for these low-cost systems, you should remember that it might cost you to spend more in the long term.
So, before you even buy your HVAC system, make sure to consult a reputable HVAC contractor to help you find options. With their help, you’ll be able to get expert opinions as to the quality of the equipment, the warranty, the list of good brands, and other related topics.
4. Proper Ductless Heating and Cooling Installation
Whether your HVAC system is installed properly or not can also greatly affect your unit’s lifespan.
The people you hire should be able to find the ideal areas to install your indoor or outdoor units. Among the things they should check are if there’s adequate clearance around the location and if the pipes or cables are fitted properly.
As a homeowner, you need to make sure to call a reliable and professional HVAC installation company as these are the people who’d assemble your whole system on-site.
5. Correct Ductless Mini-Split Sizing
When getting a system, you must make sure that you choose the right size for your home because buying the smallest one wouldn’t guarantee that you’ll save more money.
If the system you get happens to be smaller than what your home requires, it will have to work harder and longer to cool or heat your home. This then results in early wear and tear, which shortens your unit’s lifespan.
On the other hand, getting a system bigger than our home needs won’t do you any good, too. Although it can heat your home fast, the unit will still short cycle, which also wears out the unit’s components quickly.
To ensure that you get the right equipment size for your home, ask an experienced HVAC contractor to help you calculate how much power your home needs. After that, find an HVAC system that will match the calculated load. And since you’ve already contacted an expert, they’ll be able to offer you some recommendations too.
6. Environmental Conditions
There are certain environmental conditions that can greatly affect how long your HVAC system can last. Below are some of these conditions:
- If your home is located in coastal areas, you’d have to deal with salty air that may cause corrosion.
- If you live in a dry or dusty area, the air filters would have to filter out more particles, and you might have to change them more frequently than the standard.
HVAC Lifespan: Ductless HVAC Versus Central HVAC Units
In general, ductless HVAC systems have a longer lifespan than centralized heating and cooling systems. But why is this so?
This is mainly because of the system’s compressor, also known as the heart of your HVAC unit. Once this part fails, the whole system would probably need to be replaced. So, it’s also important to understand why a compressor fails.
Below are the following reasons why a compressor would fail. We’ll also share with you how these problems are not commonly found in ductless units, thereby extending their lifespan:
1. High Static Pressure
Getting the HVAC duct sizing or incorrect duct installation can lead to high static pressure, which puts a lot of stress on the system. This kind of problem then leads to bigger issues like your compressor overheating.
However, because ductless systems don’t use HVAC ductwork, homeowners wouldn’t have to worry about high static pressure.
2. Hard Starts
One major cause of wear and tear on centralized HVAC systems is the repeated hard starts. Fortunately, this doesn’t happen in ductless systems because they use inverter technology that produces variable speeds. This means that compressors don’t go at full speed all at once; instead, the compressors ramp fast and slow.
3. Dirty Evaporator Coils
There’s a high chance that the evaporator coils of centralized HVAC systems get dirty because of duct leakage.
When this happens, the system sucks in dirt and dust, which eventually settles in the system, preventing the unit from expelling heat effectively. To compensate for this, the compressor would have to work harder, leading to it getting damaged early.
Because ductless systems don’t have ducts, you won’t have problems with duct leakage, so this shouldn’t be an issue.
Conclusion
When it comes to lifespan, there’s no denying that getting a ductless HVAC system would benefit you more than getting a centralized one. All thanks to the fact that they don’t have ducts which is sometimes the main cause of system problems.
High-quality ductless HVAC systems can last for two decades as long as it’s properly maintained. So if you’re looking to invest in one, it’s definitely worth it.
If you plan to get a ductless mini-split system for your home, be sure to call an experienced HVAC contractor like the Lawes Company.
Call us now to schedule a home visit to discuss further details and get a free estimate!
Call Lawes Company For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
Lawes Company offers superior heating and cooling services in Monmouth and Ocean County, New Jersey.
We make sure to hire certified technicians who can provide you with excellent services, including HVAC tune-ups, repairs, installations, and replacements. Each technician has outstanding knowledge and experience to serve your HVAC system needs correctly.
Lawes Company guarantees to provide the most competitive heating and cooling service costs in the area. Our maintenance services ensure to improve your comfort, increase your system’s energy efficiency, and reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs.
Need your system repaired or replaced? We’ll recommend the best one for your home and is within your budget. The best part is, all our work is backed with a guarantee to ensure your satisfaction.
If you wish to schedule a service appointment, give us a call today! We also offer in-home estimates at no cost at all.
Contact us now at (732) 741-6300 to find out more!