Anyone who lives in Hershey is no doubt familiar with its rich history. You can even see it reflected in the local architecture. A glance at High Point or the Hotel Hershey will transport you back in time. The area's history also means plenty of residents here live in older or even historic homes. That comes with some great perks, but also some limitations. One of them is a restricted ability to add a modern HVAC system. Without built-in ductwork, many homes in the area rely on hydronic heating and window ACs. The good news is that there's an alternative. Our experts at Ready & Able Plumbing, Heating & Air can install a ductless mini-split in your Hershey, PA, home. A ductless AC installation can provide high-efficiency cooling wherever you need it. Additionally, there are ductless heating and cooling options available, providing a more comprehensive comfort solution.Ductless AC systems aren’t a new innovation. They first appeared in Japan in the late 1950s. In that part of the world, crowded cities and thin-walled homes meant that ducted central AC couldn’t work. So, the Mitsubishi Electric Corporation devised an alternative. It combined a sleek, vertically-mounted outdoor unit with wall-mounted air handlers. Since then, mini-splits have become the dominant type of AC in homes around the world, except in the US.
Fortunately, the push for eco-friendly HVAC options has finally brought ductless heating and cooling options to US shores. Our experts have ample experience retrofitting historic Hershey homes with mini-splits. A ductless AC installation can work alongside your existing heating system if you wish. Ductless mini-splits come in the same range of capacities as conventional ducted central ACs. A single ductless mini-split can support up to eight individual indoor air handlers.
A ductless AC installation avoids the need for expensive alterations to your home. Instead of ductwork, mini-splits rely on refrigerant lines and power cables to link components. Whenever possible, our installers work to keep a mini-split’s air handlers situated on exterior walls. Then, a small, roughly three-inch hole is all that’s needed to allow for the required refrigerant and power line. A ductless system is a much simpler alternative to finding ways to hide bulky ductwork throughout your home. It also avoids the construction mess of installing a traditional forced air system.
When you purchase a ductless heat pump, you can utilize your new system for both heating and cooling purposes. Mini-split heat pumps can deliver heating and cooling at up to 400% energy efficiency. If your home now has an aging boiler, a ductless heat pump can be an ideal upgrade. If you wish, you can leave your home’s radiators in place to preserve the aesthetic of your home. Alternatively, you can replace some of your radiators with floor-mounted air handlers. They are about the same size as radiators.
There are also ceiling cassette air handlers available that can help make your mini-split less visible. They’re recessed units that work exceptionally well in large, open spaces. By using one, you can ensure proper omnidirectional airflow in an expansive room. However, they can require some additional modifications to your home to accommodate them.