It’s what the previous owners used. Our babies are sensitive to heat and sweat profusely, so we are just going to use them for now until we can get someone out and install a long term solution.
Is there a benefit for one over the other? I like that central air can be filtered, but not sure how much that matters?
The filter on the "return" vent for central air—typically disposable—is really there to protect the HVAC unit from heavy dust and debris (e.g. cat hair, dust bunnies, etc.), not to improve your air quality. Despite all marketing to the contrary, it is a mistake to use a dense filter that removes allergens and other fine particles; doing so puts a strain on the unit, as it has to work harder to pull air through. So a minimal filter is best.
Ah, okay! I was reading about them and some said central air was generally cleaner/more hygienic and mini splits tend to grow mold quickly? Thank you for your perspective!
For all I know, there could be other kinds of air purifiiers in high-end units, but the return vent needs a good flow. To prevent mold from condensation, some people install UV lights in the system.
You can use portable ACs temporarily. Mini-splits are more useful if you have different temperature zones in the house, like a hot 3rd floor and a cool basement. Central will work though.
Oil heat, baseboard.
No ducts currently, but thinking of doing a system in the attic so ducts could run up there and down through the ceiling and a second unit downstairs with ductwork in basement up through floors.
There are also units that use a higher pressure blower in attic so they can run pvc pipes in the walls for the first floor. We like our attic unit but only have single level
We figured we’d do two units, one for the main floor, one for upstairs. We don’t have many high velocity installers in our area so the cost difference is unfortunately too high to consider.
We lived with window units for about 12 years before we had mini splits installed. Like you, we have baseboard heat and no ducting so mini split was the logical choice. I like how we can set each room to a different temperature and not have to cool the whole house. Central air you might have a handful of zones, but can't do room by room.
They were expensive, but going on 3 years now with them and no regrets
We have oil heat baseboards and are in the process of getting ductless mini splits installed. If you don’t mind the look of them and have good areas to put them in it’s a fairly non-invasive process.
For sure, it also depends on the BTUs of each unit (more BTUs is a bigger size) we didn’t look into cassettes, I don’t think they would work for our set up since we’re trying to have air blow across the home and we’re not getting a split in every room at this point
Window units won’t do shit in a house that big. Put in full central or mini splits. AC isn’t about being cheap; it’s about comfort.
It’s what the previous owners used. Our babies are sensitive to heat and sweat profusely, so we are just going to use them for now until we can get someone out and install a long term solution. Is there a benefit for one over the other? I like that central air can be filtered, but not sure how much that matters?
The filter on the "return" vent for central air—typically disposable—is really there to protect the HVAC unit from heavy dust and debris (e.g. cat hair, dust bunnies, etc.), not to improve your air quality. Despite all marketing to the contrary, it is a mistake to use a dense filter that removes allergens and other fine particles; doing so puts a strain on the unit, as it has to work harder to pull air through. So a minimal filter is best.
Ah, okay! I was reading about them and some said central air was generally cleaner/more hygienic and mini splits tend to grow mold quickly? Thank you for your perspective!
For all I know, there could be other kinds of air purifiiers in high-end units, but the return vent needs a good flow. To prevent mold from condensation, some people install UV lights in the system.
You can use portable ACs temporarily. Mini-splits are more useful if you have different temperature zones in the house, like a hot 3rd floor and a cool basement. Central will work though.
What is your heating system? Do you already have ducts and air handler? What is fuel?
Oil heat, baseboard. No ducts currently, but thinking of doing a system in the attic so ducts could run up there and down through the ceiling and a second unit downstairs with ductwork in basement up through floors.
There are also units that use a higher pressure blower in attic so they can run pvc pipes in the walls for the first floor. We like our attic unit but only have single level
We figured we’d do two units, one for the main floor, one for upstairs. We don’t have many high velocity installers in our area so the cost difference is unfortunately too high to consider.
Ok, just mentioning it. Your plan seems decent
We lived with window units for about 12 years before we had mini splits installed. Like you, we have baseboard heat and no ducting so mini split was the logical choice. I like how we can set each room to a different temperature and not have to cool the whole house. Central air you might have a handful of zones, but can't do room by room. They were expensive, but going on 3 years now with them and no regrets
Have you had any issues with the drains? My understanding is they have to really be done properly to not cause issues?
Have not had any issues with the drains. There isn't much to them as long as the unit is higher than the drain line, gravity does all the work.
We have oil heat baseboards and are in the process of getting ductless mini splits installed. If you don’t mind the look of them and have good areas to put them in it’s a fairly non-invasive process.
From what I’ve read, at a cost, you can have different types of units/cassettes so it doesn’t always have to be the big bulky unit?
For sure, it also depends on the BTUs of each unit (more BTUs is a bigger size) we didn’t look into cassettes, I don’t think they would work for our set up since we’re trying to have air blow across the home and we’re not getting a split in every room at this point