What You Need To Know About Ductless Indoor Air Handlers: Ceiling Cassettes
There are several HVAC system options available on the market. Some of them include a window A/C, a central HVAC system, or various options of ductless mini-split systems. However, if you value the aesthetics of your home and wish to have a discrete system, then you might want to look into a ceiling cassette ductless unit.
What Is A Ceiling Cassette For A Ductless System?
A ceiling cassette is a type of mini-split system wherein an HVAC contractor places the indoor air handler in the ceiling. Most of the unit’s mechanics are hidden behind the ceiling, and only a discreet discharge grille is visible. This innovative design makes it a perfect fit for any room as it can blend well with its surroundings.
The conditioned air is distributed via two, three, or four sides of the unit. Whereas, the outdoor unit or the compressor is mounted outside, much like how a conventional mini-split unit would be. This type of unit is more powerful than its wall-mounted counterpart. It is due to this reason that a ceiling cassette is mostly used in commercial or office areas.
Features Of A Ceiling Cassette
Ceiling cassette units come with many features. Some of these are as follows:
Quiet Design
Ceiling cassettes have large-diameter fans. This brings the noise level down. Not only is the volume of airflow greater, but it is also pushed through at a slower speed. A ceiling cassette can be as silent as 38 dBA, which is slightly higher than a whisper.
Comfort Control
The indoor air handlers of ceiling cassettes are equipped with return air sensors. These sensors monitor the conditions of the room so that the unit can adjust its settings. This way, your thermal preference is kept at a consistent level at all times. The indoor unit also has adjustable vents so you can send the air to the direction where it is needed the most.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Most ceiling cassette models have easy-to-clean and accessible filters. These filters are easy to remove, wash, and reinsert. This way, you never have to operate your HVAC unit without a filter again. You can rest easy knowing your filters are in place and doing its job of trapping pollutants and contaminants out of your house.
Not only that, but you also save money this way as you don’t have to buy new filters several times a year. Ceiling cassettes are also designed to bring in fresh outdoor air. Instead of repeatedly recycling the same air in your home, the unit can draw in and cycles fresh air throughout your home. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about poor indoor air quality.
Your ceiling cassette can also act as an air purifier. This is made possible when you choose to install photocatalytic purification filters. These filters allow the unit to eliminate air pollutants and other harmful contaminants from your home.
The Pros And Cons Of A Ceiling Cassette
One of the many advantages of having a ceiling cassette unit is that the conditioned air is distributed well into the room. They are equipped with powerful fans that make sure that the conditioned air circulates in a larger space compared to other types of cooling systems.
Pros
A ceiling cassette also has powerful cooling capabilities. For example, if you have a ceiling cassette in a large family room and also wish to condition the room adjacent to it, then you might not need to install another unit. Instead, you can opt to install a branch duct if possible. The branch duct will allow some of the conditioned air to flow to the other room so you can cool both places with one unit.
This type of unit is space-saving and, therefore, allows you to maximize the floor and wall space. Due to the indoor air handler being in the ceiling also means that the units keep a low-profile.
Most importantly, a ceiling cassette unit is also energy-efficient. It is equipped with advanced technology such as variable speed fans and a programmable thermostat. This means that it can adjust its settings to give you a consistent temperature without wasting energy.
Cons
On the other hand, one of the disadvantages that a cassette AC unit has is that it can be costly and time-consuming to install. This is especially true if you are installing the unit in a large building. As the compressor is to be mounted outside, the conduit line between the indoor unit and the outdoor unit can be significantly longer. This also means that many holes need to be drilled in the walls during installation.
Ceiling cassettes are also less suited if you have a small space. Moreover, you need to ensure that there is enough space in the ceiling to install the indoor unit. Otherwise, you will be forced to choose another type of ductless HVAC system, which might not be as efficient as a ceiling cassette.
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Choosing A Ceiling Cassette System
A ceiling cassette unit hides most of its indoor unit behind the ceiling. Only a one-inch grill is visible from the ceiling. If you want a cooling system with improved coverage but is hardly noticeable, then a ceiling cassette might be what you are looking for.
Although commercial or office spaces use ceiling cassettes, this mini-split is also perfect for a big room in a residential home. If you notice cold or hot spots in your living space, then you can remedy that with a ceiling cassette. It releases conditioned air on all four sides so you can be sure that it distributes air evenly throughout the room.
Ceiling cassettes are also an excellent choice when wall-mounted split systems or other types of HVAC systems are not an option. It is energy-efficient and gives you the control and performance, so you achieve optimum personal comfort.
Ceiling Cassette Unit Installation
Before starting the installation process, you have to ensure that the unit will fit into the selected space. The dimensions of a ceiling cassette indoor unit begin at 24 by 24 inches. Rafters in homes usually are 16 inches apart. If this is the case in your home, then customization is necessary to ensure that the unit fits.