In the recent past, if you want the most efficient air conditioning option, you were likely to choose centralized air. Unless your home was incapable of supporting ductwork, traditional centralized air systems were what homeowners were accustomed to and happy with. As the technology has developed, ductless systems have become more efficient and have highlighted that centralized air may not be the right choice for every home, particularly if you have a larger home. There are some problems associated with large homes and central air, which you should be aware of before making a purchase decision.
A Hotter Second Story:
Most people are aware that warm air rises, which explains why the upper stories in many homes feel less comfortable and warmer than the lower story. Additionally, many homes have a thermostat installed on the lower floor, which creates the situation where the ground floor areas may feel perfectly comfortable, but bedrooms and other areas on the upper stories can feel uncomfortable and hot. This problem is not easily addressed with a centralized air system. It lacks the capability of ductless systems to compensate for this differential and ensure that the whole home feels comfortably cool.
Hot Spots:
In a similar way, a centralized air system cannot account for any fluctuations in the household temperature. Some areas of your home will feel hotter due to the proximity of an outside wall or external door, or a lack of insulation in certain walls. This means that you can easily find hot spots in certain areas of your home. While these spots may not be noticeable at some times in the year, or may even be welcomed in winter, during summer, it can mean that they cannot be used. Of course, no one wants no go areas of their home, particularly if you have a larger house and find you cannot use some or most of it because your air conditioning fails to adequately cool it. A ductless system is more equipped to manage uneven temperatures and ensure that each room feels cool, regardless of its location.
Home Additions:
Another issue with central air in larger homes is if the house was originally smaller. If you have created a home addition or remodeled to create more space, your centralized system may not have been adequately adjusted. Many homeowners fail to consider the heating and cooling of new sections of their home during the remodel, and this can cause problems later. In this type of scenario, trying to retroactively add ductwork to your centralized air system can be a costly project, so it may be advisable to consider using a ductless system. This will allow you to create the addition as a separate zone that can be independently controlled.
If you have or are considering installing centralized air in your larger home, it is a good idea to consult a professional HVAC specialist. An experienced technician can assess the characteristics of your home to determine the options best suited to your requirements and provide you with recommendations.