Summer is right around the corner, and each passing day is bringing with it warmer weather than the one before. While you’re probably excited about taking advantage of the summer sun and getting outside more in the next few months, you should also be thinking about indoor comfort.
Perhaps your air conditioner is old and on its way out, or maybe you don’t have one at all. Either way, now’s the time to start thinking about installing a new cooling system in your home before the summer sun starts bearing down.
Central Air Conditioning vs. Mini-Splits
One of the biggest points of confusion for homeowners who are interested in upgrading their cooling systems is whether to go with central air conditioning or mini-split heat pumps. While both of these systems effectively cool during the summer months, they differ from one another in numerous ways. Let’s take a closer look at the finer points of each:
Central Air Conditioning
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Whole-Home Cooling — Ductwork carries conditioned air throughout the entire home, often controlled by a single thermostat.
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Minimalist Design — Central air units make use of an outdoor compressor/condenser and a single indoor unit (which can be hidden), making it very low-profile.
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Energy Efficient — While not the most efficient option for cooling a home, the central air conditioners of today utilize far less energy than those of the past.
Mini-Split Heat Pumps
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Zone Cooling — Mini-splits condition rooms or areas on an individual basis, which means you can condition each space in your home differently if you so choose.
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High-Efficiency Rating — Because mini-splits control individual zones, they utilize less energy than central air conditioning systems and are thus more energy efficient.
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Easy Installation — Mini-splits don’t require ductwork, which means they can be easily installed in just about any room in the home.
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Heating Abilities — As their name might suggest, mini-split heat pumps can function as both heating and cooling systems, making them ideal for year-round use.
Depending upon the layout of your North Shore Massachusetts or southern New Hampshire home and what you’re trying to achieve, one option may be a better fit than another—the team at Kearney can help you decide which is right for you.
Mass Save Program
If you think a new cooling system is out of reach budget-wise, you may be surprised to learn that Kearney HVAC customers can save up to $3,500 on smart home improvements thanks to the Mass Save Program. Mini-splits and central air systems are both eligible for up to $500 in rebates, and wireless thermostats are discounted and installed for free. Mass Save even offers 0% interest loans with terms up to seven years for qualified homeowners—perfect for installing new cooling equipment!
