Australian summers can be extremely hot and they are only getting hotter. In order to feel comfortable and to prevent fatigue and heat exhaustion in the summer months, it is necessary to have air conditioning in the home. Typically, this means installation of a central air conditioning unit, but there is an alternative – ductless air conditioning.

What is ductless air conditioning exactly?

This type of air conditioning system is also referred to as a mini-split system, and the central differences are that the air conditioning is not centralised and ducts are not used. With a ductless system, there is an outdoor unit, which is a condenser, and at least one indoor unit (but potentially many more), which act as evaporators. Tubes of refrigerant run between the outdoor unit and indoor units.

But why is ductless air conditioning a good idea?

There are many advantages to installing a ductless unit instead of a centralised air conditioning system in the home. Here are a few of them:

1. Improved energy efficiency.

In the 21^st century, energy efficiency is something on everyone's mind because of both environmental concerns and the cost of energy consumption, and switching to a mini-split air conditioner is great for improved energy use. Using ducts can be inefficient because they are prone to leakages and they will start to sag over time, reducing their efficiency.

On the flip-side, strategically placed air conditioning units inside the home will pump air straight from the unit so that it doesn't get lost through any duct defects. Also, with multiple indoor units, air conditioning can be used in one part of a home when it is needed but turned off in another part of the home. It's rare that the whole house would need to be cooled down at once, and a ductless system eliminates this need.

2. It's a healthier choice.

Many people choose air conditioning systems in their home because of the health benefits, of which there are many. For people with respiratory difficulties, controlling the temperature and the air quality inside a home is particularly important, but what happens if your AC unit actually harbours dust, dirt, and debris?

An unfortunate reality of a central air conditioning system is that the ducts can harbour these organisms and this might undo the air regulating work that your AC is trying to do. It can be hard to get into a duct to clean it adequately, but the only place where debris is likely to gather in a mini-split system is in the evaporator coil, and these are typically easy to access and clean, leading to health benefits for you and your family.

3. A quieter AC experience.

When you install a central AC system, you might well enjoy the benefits of regulated humidity and temperature, but this often comes at a price. When your air conditioning unit makes so much noise that your kids struggle to concentrate on completing their homework and you need to turn the volume of the television right up to watch a film in the evening time, the experience of your AC system can feel bittersweet. Another benefit of ductless systems like Daikin air conditioning is that they are much quieter than a centralised AC unit. Why? Because the part of the air conditioner that makes so much noise is the part located outside the home.

It's also the case that some buildings just aren't built to support a centralised system, and instead of going AC free, ductless units can provide the solution. They are also far easier to install because it's the duct work that makes AC installation a laborious process. Without it, installation can be completed within a day.