Cooling technology allows for more control and also saves money

The summer heat is on its way.

That means it’s the perfect time to get ready.

The most versatile technology in the heating and cooling world is ductless technology, and its benefits are plentiful. Ductless systems are ideal to replace baseboard heating or for installations in war-time houses whose ducts are not big enough to support central air conditioning.

The best part of all? It will save you a lot of money in the long run.

“You can’t just go in and install an air conditioner into an old war-time house and say, ‘There you go.’ It won’t work properly,” Comfort Tech Heating & Cooling co-owner Terri Wilkinson says. “If you’re living in a house that doesn’t have existing cooling, then it’s really important to get someone out that can do the job of sizing the ducts to make sure you don’t make the mistake of trying to put an air conditioner into a home that can’t handle central air.

“Ductless systems are a perfect solution to add cooling to older homes.”

Instead of using ductwork to distribute air through the house like a central air conditioner would, a ductless split system utilizes individual units throughout the home. This allows for individual control in each room, which in turn provides more flexible temperature settings.

A ductless system typically consists of one or more wall-mounted indoor units combined with an outside compressor. Unlike window air conditioners, ductless units only require a small hole in the wall for installation. The indoor units are incredibly quiet and much more visually appealing than your average window air conditioner.

Ductless systems are also perfect for additions to your home, whether it’s a garage, bonus room, sunroom or man cave. The main benefit of ductless is that the system will be properly sized for the space and won’t steal air from other spaces or overload your existing HVAC system.

“People love it,” Wilkinson says. “They’re noticing a difference in their utility bills. They’re saying how extremely quiet they are. And they are not expensive to operate.

“The other thing that homeowners really love is the zone control. I can be in my living room and have that ductless set to a certain temperature, and it will just run that one space. You don’t have to have the whole house set to a particular temperature. It reduces thermostat wars.”

Comfort Tech Heating & Cooling is the only Kelowna-based contractor currently listed as a program registered contractor for ductless installations. In addition, both FortisBC and BC Hydro offer rebates of up to $2,000 for those who switch from baseboard heat to full ductless systems.