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If you live in a small space and want a more efficient way to stay comfortable during those hot summers, a ductless air conditioner is ideal. Ductless systems, also called ductless mini-split systems, are becoming popular as a simpler, quieter, and a more compact way to cool a home.

How Do Ductless Air Conditioners Work?

A ductless air conditioner works differently than a traditional HVAC setup. Instead of using ducts that travel throughout your home, a ductless system uses several indoor units plus a main outdoor unit to heat and cool your home. They break the home up into zones, with each one independently climate-controlled by an indoor unit.

The Benefits of a Ductless Air Conditioner

They Improve Indoor Air Quality

You know that traditional HVAC systems rely on airflow to heat and cool your home. With that airflow comes dust and allergens that can cause upper respiratory issues. Duct cleaning is a key part of HVAC maintenance to cut down on these pollutants. Ductless systems, on the other hand, include multi-stage filtration processes that cut down on dust, pollen, and other allergens present in your indoor air. Keeping these air filters clean and replacing them as needed ensures that your air stays as clean as possible.

Ductless Air Conditioners Lower Your Carbon Footprint

Improving your home’s energy efficiency lowers your bills, but it also reduces your carbon footprint. Modern ductless air conditioners help achieve this goal thanks in part to their use of R410A, a refrigerant that doesn’t impact our planet’s ozone layer. R410A also absorbs and releases heat better than its predecessor R22, which improves cooling system efficiency.

Ductless Systems Can Save You Money

If you’re like many homeowners, you want an energy-efficient heating and cooling solution. Besides better climate control, you also wish to lower your energy bills. A ductless system saves you money with separate heating and cooling for each zone. You may prefer your bedroom to be cooler than the rest of your house, for instance. A ductless air conditioner lets you set your bedroom’s thermostat lower without affecting the temperature in other rooms.

Ductless Systems are Quick and Easy to Install

Forced air HVAC systems require a lot of time and work to install. Depending on the system, it may take several weeks. That’s especially true if the home does not have existing ductwork: But a ductless heating and cooling system can be installed quickly — within one day, in many cases. Only small pipes are needed, usually measuring less than 3 inches in diameter. No major wall modifications are required to install the pipes or the individual indoor and outdoor units.

Get Ductless AC Installations & Repairs with Toshack

Our long history of excellence means that everyone in Brockville and Kingston can trust Toshack with their home climate control needs. To learn more about the benefits of ductless air conditioning installations and heat pumps, contact our team today.

At this point, most people have heard of heat pumps. Heat pumps were first developed in the 1980s-90s, as an alternative to the standard air conditioner + heater combination for home climate control. A heat pump is basically a reversible air conditioner. Where standard ACs pull heat from the home and move it outdoors, a heat pump can go in either direction – so it can also heat a home by pulling outdoor heat inside.

So, a heat pump is an all-in-one unit that does the job of two appliances, while also offering superior energy efficiency compared to older technology.

Now, there’s a new type of heat pump on the market: the ductless air conditioner, also called a “mini-split.” Mini split heat pumps work on a room-by-room basis, where every room has its small blower which handles local heating and cooling. These units attach to small outdoor units via tiny copper pipes and offer even better efficiency than full-size heat pumps.

Would this be a good upgrade for your Brockville home? Here are the benefits!

Perfect for older homes

A lot of older homes were built without central ductwork, which greatly limits their options for heating and cooling. And installing new ductwork is extremely expensive! Upgrading to ductless air conditioners allows you to move away from flaky window-mounted fan units and space heaters and embrace a far better form of home climate control.

Ditch your ducts

On the other hand, if you rely on ducts for central air, you know that the ducts themselves can be a problem. They get dirty, and can even become home to vermin, requiring them to be periodically cleaned out. Also, the ductwork metal tends to absorb a lot of the cold or heat coming through the system, reducing efficiency. With mini split heat pumps, you could close off your ducts for good and never have to worry about them again.

Individualized climate control

Possibly the best part of ductless air conditioners is that you never have to fight over the thermostat again. Every room can have its own climate settings, based on what the occupant wants at the moment. It’s also great if you have rooms with specific climate needs, such as a room with a lot of plants, which can get the heat they need without heating the rest of the house.

Cutting energy costs

It’s true that mini-split systems cost more to install initially, compared to centralized units. However, they will pay for themselves. Ductless air conditioners are the single most energy-efficient form of home HVAC on the market and can substantially reduce your home’s energy use year-round. That’s also great for the environment!

Reach Out to Toshack Today!

If you’re considering a ductless air conditioner for your Brockville home, Toshack can help! For 90 years, we’ve stayed on the cutting edge of home HVAC systems, and now install and service mini-split systems.

Contact us to discuss your options!

If you’re thinking about installing a new air conditioner in your Brockville home, there are several options – and the newest invention might be just right for you: ductless air conditioners!

Ductless A/Cs are a new type of heat pump, sometimes also called a mini-split. They work on the same principle as regular heat pumps but are miniaturized so that each room gets its own independent heating and cooling unit. As the name suggests, no ductwork is needed – just a small copper pipe running to an outdoor unit.

This is by far the best choice for an A/C upgrade if you’re in an older home without central ductwork, which is incredibly expensive to retrofit. However, ductless air conditioners offer numerous benefits to everyone else as well.

Four Big Benefits of Ductless Air Conditioners in Brockville

Extreme energy efficiency

Mini-splits are the most energy-efficient option for heating and cooling that’s been developed yet. Heat pumps, in general, are becoming the most popular type of home HVAC system, and mini-splits take that to the next level. The higher initial installation costs will be quickly balanced out by their long-term cost savings.

Plus, of course, that’s good for the environment as well!

Customized home climate control

With a ductless air conditioning system, there’s no more arguing over the thermostat. Since each blower only serves one or two rooms (at most) everyone can set their own climate according to their tastes.

This is also great if you happen to have rooms in your home with specific climate requirements, such as for growing plants or keeping exotic pets.

No more huge, noisy burners and condensers

Ductless A/C completely reimagines home climate control, eliminating the need for large heating and cooling units in your basement. This frees up floor space, and also typically reduces maintenance costs long-term because heat pumps are easier to maintain than older HVAC systems.

Rebates and incentives can cut costs further

Power companies, as well as government at all levels, are implementing incentives for people to move towards more energy-efficient HVAC options like heat pumps. Depending on your situation, the upgrade could be cheaper than you realize!

Toshack has been at the forefront of heating and cooling in the GTA since the 1930s, and we always keep up with the latest technology. If it’s time for an A/C upgrade in your Brockville home, contact us to discuss whether ductless air conditioning is right for you!

From premium performance and durability to energy efficiency, there are a lot of factors to look for in central and ductless units. So how do you take your pick?

Here’s how!

Use these expert insights from Toshack to learn all you need to know about both central and ductless air conditioning before making the final decision.

Central Air Conditioning

Central air conditioning is essentially a centralized cooling system responsible for regulating the temperature of your entire house. It works with the help of a thermostat where you can set an ideal temperature. As soon as your home’s temperature falls below the pre-set level on the thermostat, the cooling kicks in and restores the desired temperature.

Benefits of a Centralized Air Conditioner

A centralized cooling system is best suited for cooling the entire house in a cost-effective and hassle-free manner. This type of air conditioning system is also more durable and easier to maintain than a ductless unit and provides better quality air.

Ductless Air Conditioning

A ductless air conditioner, as the name suggests, is one that operates without ducts. These air conditioners are made to cool the room in which the head of the unit is installed. Using this type of air conditioning requires you to get multiple split ductless ACs for separate rooms.

This system is best suited for more traditional houses or cottages, which lack the proper ductwork required for efficient central air conditioning. The different heads in different rooms allow homeowners to set and achieve unique temperatures in each room, as required. So, the temperatures of a ground floor bedroom and a comparatively much hotter attic can be customized to make the entire house ideally cool.

Benefits of a Ductless Air Conditioner

As mentioned, one of the biggest advantages of ductless air conditioning is the option to have unique temperatures in different rooms. You can also utilize these units to both heat and cool your house in different seasons. Especially in places like Canada, where the weather and temperatures can fluctuate by the day, ductless air conditioning units are a great option.

Find Air Conditioning Repair Experts in Kingston and Brockville!

When it comes to quality air conditioning repairs in Kingston and Brockville, Toshack is a name you can trust! With our comprehensive range of professional services and unmatched dedication to customer satisfaction, we offer only the most long-lasting and impactful HVAC solutions. Request a FREE quote today!

For almost a century, Toshack has provided the best in heating and cooling service in Kingston and the surrounding areas.  Whenever you’re having trouble with your AC, we’ll be there to sort it out – quickly and professionally.

However, some of our calls are due to situations that could have been preventable.  Some basic maintenance and oversight of your AC unit can go a long way towards keeping the cold air blowing and avoiding unnecessary service calls. These are the most important things you should keep an eye on.

Seven Easy AC Maintenance Tips for Kingston Residents

1. Regularly replace your air filter

You should check the status of your AC air filter around once a month, and clean or replace it whenever it’s dirty.  In general, the standard 1” filter it should be replaced around every 2-3 months to keep your AC running well. This is vital to the proper functioning of your system and is something that you can do yourself. A premium 5” MERV 11 or 16 filter is normally replaced only once per year.

2. Clean the evaporator coils

The copper coils within your AC are where the condensation happens – and that’s what produces cold air.  If these coils get dirty, it reduces their efficiency.  Regularly cleaning them will ensure you’re getting the coldest air for your money and this is part of the Toshack annual performance tune-up.

3. Lubricate the fans

The fans inside your AC unit should be nearly silent, aside from the wind they’re blowing.  If you start hearing any sounds that they’re struggling with, add some oil to the moving parts.  That should keep them spinning freely. (Note: The wheel will automatically stop when the cabinet door is opened, as a safety measure.)

4. Check the drain hose and drain pan

A clogged drain hose or pan won’t cause your AC to stop working, but it will make a big mess.  Periodically checking for clogs, and cleaning them out, will prevent unwanted cleanup.

5. Periodically check your wiring

Keep an eye on the wiring.  It can be easily damaged or knocked out of place, especially if you have rats or similar pests in your basement.  Make sure all the connections are firm so that there’s no chance of electrical fire.

6. Verify the thermostat is working

It says the air temp matches your setting, but is that true?  Pull out a portable thermometer every now and then to make sure the thermostat is reading correctly.

7. Look for signs of clogged ducts

Is there a lot of dust or debris building up around your duct vents?  That’s a red flag that they need to be cleaned out by professionals. Cleaner vents will enhance the efficiency of your system, and in conjunction with a good filter, will enhance the overall air quality in your home.

Kingston Heating and Cooling Solutions

No matter the HVAC issue you are having, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Toshack for the best in Kingston heating and cooling services.

Few systems within your Kingston or Brockville house are as important as your heating and cooling setup.  Your HVAC system protects you from the elements, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It’s vital for keeping yourself and your family safe, happy, and healthy.   Continue reading “Know When It’s Time for Air Conditioning Repair & Service”