The largest monthly expense for Boston homeowners – aside from mortgage payments – is temperature control. In fact, heating, and cooling account for over half of a home’s energy costs. If you’re feeling the pain of high utility bills, switching your HVAC system might be the best way to secure energy savings for the long term.

Boston homeowners relying on centralized systems are missing out on some major savings opportunities. Here, we’ll take a look at the energy savings you can gain when switching from central air to ductless mini-splits.

How you save money with a ductless system

Installation costs

Unfortunately, many homeowners never look past the upfront costs of ductless mini-splits. Although a system can range anywhere between $2,000 and $14,500, a 12,000 BTU system capable of heating and cooling a standard home can be as low as $3,000. If your home already has a fully functioning central system, this cost might seem unreasonable.

But when compared to the cost of installing a new HVAC unit, the prices can be similar. So, the idea that ductless mini-splits are significantly more expensive than their traditional counterparts simply isn’t true. But that’s not where your initial savings stop either!

Central systems rely on intricate networks of ducts to distribute air throughout a home. All of the associated repair costs of installing or replacing this ductwork can push the upfront costs of these conventional HVAC systems even higher. With no ductwork to worry about, mini-slits can save you significantly on installation.

Improved energy efficiency

In terms of energy efficiency, ductless mini-splits are lightyears ahead of centralized units. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, up to 30% of air is lost when pushed through ductwork. This inefficiency forces central units to work overtime to make sure enough air is getting to each room, resulting in higher utility bills. Mini-splits avoid this issue altogether since these systems don’t rely on ductwork to heat and cool your home.

Another major driver of improved energy efficiency for ductless systems is the use of inverter technology. With this advanced technology, mini-splits can detect temperature within a room to determine exactly how much output is needed to reach your desired setting. This “sensing” allows mini-splits to only use as much energy as needed to keep your home comfortable.

Zoned heating & cooling

One of the most effective ways mini-splits help Boston homeowners save on energy costs is through a process known as zoning. Unlike forced-air systems which push air from a central unit through ductwork to each room or zone, mini-splits rely on indoor handling units to control the temperature room by room.

The flexibility of zoned heating and cooling makes it possible for homeowners to optimize their home’s temperature control. There’s no wasted energy as handling units are only turned on when you want to heat or cool a room. You can also achieve varying temperatures throughout your home based on differing preferences.

Mass Save benefits

Another way homeowners can save on energy costs with a ductless mini-split system is through the Mass Save program. This initiative is sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and a host of energy providers and has the goal of encouraging homeowners to adopt energy-efficient solutions to reduce energy costs. How does that translate into savings for homeowners?

Through the Mass Save program, Boston homeowners can take advantage of special deals in the form of rebates, discounts, and other incentives. For example, with the HEAT loan, you can get up to $25,000 to put towards energy-efficient upgrades for your home. This includes installing a mini-split heat pump.

If that weren’t enough to pique your interest already, the loan is even offered interest-free! With the Mass Save program, you’re drastically reducing your energy costs by getting the energy-efficient benefits of ductless mini-splits while potentially getting the system installed for free! Give us a call to learn more about the Mass Save program and how to take advantage of these offers.

Ready to make the switch to a mini-split system and save big on your home’s energy costs? The experts at New England Ductless can help! We have years of experience installing ductless systems in homes throughout Boston. Contact us today to book an appointment or to learn more about our services.

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