The Pros And Cons Of High Velocity Air Conditioning Systems

What Is a High Velocity Air Conditioning System?

High velocity HVAC systems function similarly to traditional HVAC systems. A heat pump or compressor on the outside of your home creates hot and cool air, then sends it into the home through ducts where it’s vented out into the rooms.

High velocity AC does the same thing with one major change: it doesn’t require those bulk metal ducts. Instead, it uses small diameter flexible tubing that can be run inside walls. A high velocity AC system also does away with those metal vents in the floor or ceiling. Instead, the rectangular vent is replaced by a round circular vent that’s less than half the size of a traditional vent.

Traditional HVAC systems will monitor the room temperatures and use diffusion technology to draw the air out of the vents. This takes time to get rooms up to temperature.

Once the air is heated or cooled, a high-pressure HVAC system uses aspiration to create air currents. High pressure forces the air rapidly through the tubing to circulate it quickly into the home. This can heat or cool rooms much faster and allow for better climate control.

As the air circulates through ducts, some of the heated or cooled air is also lost. In a typical home, between 20% and 30% of the air may never arrive at its destination. Leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts can make it even worse and drive up your utility bills.

A high velocity AC system uses sealed tubes, which prevents the air from leaking out. That means less air needs to be cooled and your system can work more efficiently while using less energy.

The Benefits of a High Velocity AC System

High Velocity AC is often the ONLY answer for very old homes that do not have space for traditional duct work.

You can also choose to adjust your thermostat when you leave home to save money. Because the system brings rooms up to temperature quickly, there’s no worry that it will take a long time to get your home to a comfortable temp.

In the winter, you can also keep the temperatures higher with your high velocity HVAC system. Because the room heats quickly, the high velocity system will still run less than traditional units.

One big benefit of high velocity AC units is that you don’t need to install heavy metal ducting. It makes installation faster and easier. New homes being built often choose to put in high velocity AC systems and forgo the expense of adding ducts. Older homes that already have ductwork can run the tubing inside the walls and bypass the ducts.

Typically, the installation of high velocity systems does not require significant remodeling work. Using the flexible tubing, approximately two inches in diameter, allows contractors to install the tubing without having to do major work on your drywall or wall interiors. The tubing can be snaked through walls, and it’s flexible enough to fit between studs.

Not only do these high velocity systems eliminate the need for large vents and grillwork, but you can also choose a variety of small, round outlets. They come in several colors and many can be stained or painted to blend into your existing décor.

Homes without ducting have typically resorted to window units for cooling. These units are less efficient and less aesthetically pleasing. They block your view and they’re noisy. They also tend to create significant variations in cooling areas throughout a home. Another alternative for homes without ductwork are ductless mini-splits

Comparing high velocity air conditioning vs mini split units, you’ll only need one unit to cool an entire home with high velocity AC. With mini-splits, you need to install multiple units and network them to work together. Inside your home, the only sign of high velocity air conditioning is the small vents.

With mini-splits, you have multiple wall units throughout your home and on the exterior.

Another customer favorite of high-velocity systems is that efficient cooling cools can remove as much as 30% more humidity from the air than conventional systems. Less moisture means you can set the thermostat higher for AC while still maintaining a comfortable environment.

The Downside of High Velocity AC

If you’re considering a high velocity system, you should also be aware that are some drawbacks. Only you can judge whether these are issues for you.

Depending on your home’s construction and the size of the project, estimating the exact cost for installation ahead of time can be complex. While installers don’t have to rip down walls to install the tubing, they also don’t know exactly what’s inside your walls. Extra time may be required to find alternate pathways around piping, wires, or blockages.

A professional installer won’t have a problem figuring out the solution, but it may take a little longer than anticipated. Still, it will take a lot less time — and be way less intrusive — than ripping out walls to install ductwork and then making the repairs to the drywall.

Because the high velocity AC system pushes the air throughout your home with considerable force, some people find it distracting if they are too close to the vents when the system is running. You will feel the air as it comes out, especially if you’re used to the way air is distributed with a traditional system. Others see this as a benefit because you can get a quick burst of cool air or heat when you’re nearby.

Installing a high velocity AC allows you the flexibility to place the vents in a variety of places, so you can choose where to put the outlets. Many people choose to put them in room corners, ceiling, or in spots away from where people will be sitting.

With a traditional heating and cooling system, there’s noise when the unit kicks on, creaking in the ducts as the heated or cooled air comes into contact, and the sound of the air being distributed throughout the home. You may also notice vibrations at times. With a high velocity system, you won’t hear the noisy ducts, but you will hear a whoosh as the air is forced through the system. Fortunately, newer high velocity AC systems deploy technology to muffle and mitigate the noise.

There’s another consideration when comparing high velocity HVAC vs traditional HVAC. Because it’s one system taking care of the entire home, it’s not easy to create zones. When homes have separate units handling their cooling, for example, they can choose to keep some portions cooler or warmer than other sections.

Right Size Your HVAC System

No matter what kind of HVAC system you’re thinking about, you should work with a qualified HVAC contractor to assess your situation and discuss your options.

The right system for you will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of your home, your expected use, existing insulation, and the climate in your areas. Systems need to be right-sized for efficiency. A system that’s improperly sized will not perform efficiently and cost you money.