Installation Differences Between Ductless and Ducted Heating Systems

Two popular heating options include traditional forced air heating and ductless heating. There are pros and cons to both of these heating methods, and there are also differences in the installation process. To help you decide which heating system is right for you, here's a closer look at some of the heating installation differences.

Considering Ducts

With forced air heating, you need ducts. If you already have ductwork in place, connecting a heater to your system is relatively straightforward. However, if your home or office doesn't have ductwork, putting it in so that you can have a forced air system is time-consuming, requires a lot of construction work, and can be messy, and in these situations, it's easier to choose a ductless heating system.

People also opt for ductless when they want to put in a heater in a space such as an attic or home addition. Additionally, if you no longer want to use the ducts because they aren't efficient, tend to build up allergens, or have other issues, you may also want to consider making the switch to ductless.

Looking at the Installation Process

Generally, you need to put in a ducted system all at once. In contrast, if you opt for ductless heating, you can choose to have the system installed zone by zone. With a forced air system, there is a single furnace in your building that connects to all the ducts. Then, everything is controlled by a single thermostat. As a result, you have to put in everything all at once.

In contrast, a ductless system features an outdoor unit that connects to numerous indoor units. Each indoor unit has its own thermostat, and each unit can be installed separately. If you are putting this type of heating system into a large office building or an apartment block, you may want to take advantage of the zoned installation so that you can keep operations running in your building.

Thinking About Disruption

As implied above, having contractors move through your home to install a heating system can be slightly disruptive, which is why some people opt for zoned installation of ductless systems. However, you should also think of the disruption that is going to occur in your building.

With a ducted system, the disruption should be minimal if you just need to put in a new furnace. If you need to put in the vents as well, that can be disruptive as you have to get into your walls. In contrast with a ductless system, the installer only needs to make a small hole between the inside and outside of the home.