If you have a home with radiant heat or some other heat source that does not use ducts, you may bemoan the fact that you can't have central air. Well, now it is possible to get ductless central air conditioning in any home.

Ductless air conditioning systems are also called “mini split” systems. For homes that have been limited to window units, the technology that allows you to have central air conditioning will be welcome news. Although this is fairly new in the development, the technology is nearly perfected.

The basis of the system is small, 2 – 4 inch holes in the wall that are nearly unnoticeable. The tiny vent covers can be painted any color, and are actually more discrete than the normal forced air vents.

The compressor is separate from the vents, or “split” away from the room being cooled, which is where the mini split system gets its name. Popularized in Japan, the systems are gaining popularity in the U.S. and Europe.

The systems are set up by installing the quiet and unobtrusive units in small wall vents in each room. Vents can be placed high or low in the wall, out of the line of sight of most people. Some are as small as two inches square, and the covers come in several paintable styles.

These distribution vents are connected to hidden lines that carry the cool air. The unseen refrigeration lines are connected to a compressor or condenser that is located outside the home, just like a normal forced-air condenser is. The compressor is about the size of a medium doghouse. The air is cooled in the compressor and sent out to the various distribution units in the house. Although it may sound inefficient, the outdoor condenser is actually very quiet and efficient. It also lasts for many years and has the added bonus of being energy efficient.

Ductless systems are very popular since the noisy compressors are outside, away from the room, unlike window air conditioners that make a constant hum (or worse!). These ultra-efficient systems generally come with remote controls to turn them off or on or to change temperatures, and they can be programmed to cool more or less at various times of day.

There is little maintenance with the ductless air conditioning systems. Some may have filters to clean, and all need to have vegetation and debris kept away from the outdoor units. Even a spray with a garden hose from time to time will keep them as clean as they need to be.

They are also popular because of their “zoning” capability – each area of a home can be programmed to cool separately or to be kept at its own temperature. There is no huge expense to install ducts and pumps. In fact, the only thing visible inside is the addition of the small holes, between 1 and 3 inches in diameter, for distributing the cool air.

Installing the systems is easy and requires little alteration of the current home, while increasing the resale value dramatically.

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