Air conditioners are much-needed appliances in Macon, GA, homes during the humid, hot summer months. They keep your air cool and remove moisture from the air to improve your comfort and indoor air quality while protecting your home and belongings from excess humidity.
If your air conditioner is nearing the end of its life, your repair bills are increasing, or your system isn't working as well as it used to, it might be time for an air conditioner replacement. But which type of system should you choose for your home?
In this article, we’ll explore the factors Macon, Georgia, residents should consider when choosing between mini-splits vs. central air. At Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, our licensed, experienced HVAC technicians can help you choose the right air conditioning system for your home’s unique needs.
Our team lives and works in central Georgia, installing and repairing ACs in Warner Robins, Macon, and other nearby communities, so we understand how important quick, precise installations are to your comfort. If you’re in the Bibb County area and need an AC upgrade now, give us a call.
Mini-Split Air Conditioners Explained
Mini-split heating and cooling systems work by moving heat, rather than using combustion to generate it. This makes them an energy-efficient option that provides air conditioning and heat capabilities.
They draw warm air from the room into the indoor unit, where the heat is absorbed by the refrigerant and transferred outside. Moisture from the air condenses into water, which feeds out through the drain, lowering your home’s indoor humidity levels.
Mini-split systems have an outdoor compressor and condenser unit and one or more indoor air handling parts. The indoor and outdoor components are connected by refrigerant tubing, power cables, and a condensate drain that is fed through a small hole in your wall. The indoor units can be mounted on the ceiling or wall, giving you plenty of installation options. Because of their flexible nature, they’re often used in:
- Multistory homes.
- Multifamily housing complexes and small apartments.
- Room additions or retrofit add-ons.
- Any room where it’s impractical to install ductwork.
When To Install Mini-Splits in Your Macon Home
Macon’s climate is perfect for mini-split installation, because these systems function as both a heating and cooling system. The warm summers and moderately cold winters make mini-split heat pumps an excellent choice, as they work most efficiently in mild to moderate climates. They’re still in the minority throughout the state but are gaining popularity thanks to benefits like:
- Ease of installation: Installing mini-splits in Bibb County is often easier, especially in older homes built before the 1940s or new home additions that don’t have ductwork.
- Zoning: Mini-splits make it easy to add cooling to specific areas of the home, as each indoor unit has its own thermostat.
- Aesthetic appeal: The indoor components of mini-splits are small and sleek-looking and suit various home decor styles.
- Quiet operation: Mini-splits are whisper-quiet, with the indoor units operating at as low as 19 to 30 dB.
- Efficiency: Ductless systems don’t waste energy by losing cooled air through leaky ductwork or poor home insulation.
- Double duty: Mini-splits provide both heating and cooling, so you’ll have one fewer appliance to maintain in your home.
Central Air Conditioning Systems Explained
Central air conditioners work using the same principles as mini-splits. They use refrigerant to move heat from inside your home out. Warm air flows over the cold indoor evaporator coils, which absorb the heat and transfer it to the outdoor compressor and condenser, which release the heat, while the cooled air is blown through the ductwork and vents to cool the entire house.
When Central Air Makes the Most Sense
Central air is the most popular type of air conditioning in the State of Georgia. This type of home cooling system can be found in over 85% of newly built US homes. It works best in large spaces with multiple rooms and provides benefits like:
- Lower cost: If your home already has ductwork, it’s a much lower initial investment to choose central air.
- Customization: You can add extra filtration, humidity control, air purifiers, smart home solutions, and more.
- Subtle appearance: If you don’t want visible indoor HVAC units, the clean, integrated look of a central air system may be what you’re looking for.
- Best for open floor plans: A bigger, central system will do a better job of cooling open spaces and large rooms.
Mini-Splits vs. Central Air: Key Comparisons
Here are the key considerations when comparing a mini-split air conditioner vs. central air.
Energy Efficiency
Mini-splits have less energy loss because air doesn’t need to flow through ducts. They also use less energy because they don’t create heat. They move heat from inside to outdoors to cool your home and the reverse to heat it in the winter.
Longevity
While the typical lifespan of a mini-split system is up to 5 years longer than that of a central air conditioner, the longevity of any HVAC system depends on use, maintenance, and whether it’s been properly installed.
Ductwork
If you have existing ductwork, installing a new central air system can be a cost-effective and relatively simple process. If you don’t have any ducts in your home, mini-splits are a less costly and more flexible option.
Zoning
With multiple indoor units, each with its own thermostat, mini-splits offer excellent individual room or zone control. Central HVAC systems, on the other hand, operate from one central thermostat.
Cost
The total price of your HVAC system depends on several factors, like the size and setup. Although mini-splits may cost more initially, they will save you money on ductwork installation and your future energy bills.
Which System Is Right for Your Macon Home?
After comparing the pros and cons of both systems, it’s clear there are good reasons to choose both types of systems. You can even combine mini-split systems with central air. They serve as a helpful supplement to cooling in hard-to-reach areas of the house, such as rooms without ducts, like an attached garage, or in new additions.
If you’re still not sure which one is right for you, the Ricky Heath heating and cooling experts are here to help you. Schedule an in-home consultation with our repair and installation experts, and we’ll help you choose between mini-splits and central air after looking at factors like your home size, the number of rooms, your budget, whether you have existing ductwork, and your heating and cooling needs. With our expert opinion comes peace of mind, knowing you’re making the right choice for your home.
Contact Ricky Heath for All Your HVAC Needs
At Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, our professional heating and AC installation services will ensure your new mini-split or central air system is installed correctly, with precision.
We also provide comprehensive repair, maintenance, and inspection services. If your split AC’s not cooling but the fan’s running, or you need to schedule a tune-up on your furnace, we’re here to help. You can use the form on our website to get started, or give us a call at (478) 312-5238.
