A mini-split system sounds like a good idea, but I still always prefer central air. Here's why: constant, whole-home air circulation (if desire), and you have allergies so if you have an air filter (media, electronic or HEPA), this could help; and more even temperature throughout the home (with a variable speed blower). Sometimes this is cost prohibitive and not feasible. If the contractors you visited with (I don't know if you just talked to them via phone or they visited actually) recommended this, I'm assuming they have a "plan" in mind. Sometimes it's difficult to retrofit, sometimes it's not that big of a problem. A mini-split sounds like a feasible option, but do you really want to see them hanging on the wall? Some people don't mind them, others don't like them. :) I wouldn't worry about air handlers leaking in the attic--that's what an emergency drain pain is for. If water begins to fill into it due to a clog in the main line, it is piped outside where you can see the water. There are also emergency cutoff switches should there be water in the emergency drain pain. Call a couple more contractors for their opinion and get an idea of prices. Hope this helps.

thanks for the info... I know I asked this in a forum. But for central air in a home my size with nothing fancy and a "lower end" unit like Rheem... what do you think a final cost should be; not exact but 5k, 7k, 10, more?

thanks again

A lot of it is circumstantial and depends on where you live. If you search these forums with terms like "new system quote," "new hvac system," "new house hvac," etc. you will get some ideas.

I would think a complete installation, depending on materials and equipment (nothing fancy but reliable), should run anywhere from $8-12k, give or take. Rheem is not necessarily lower end--it's a great line of products.

live here in ct, my sister had central air put in ,ballpark, 9 grand, around 1200 sq.ft. its a cape, but they mostly don't use the upstairs. She did lose a closet downstairs for some duct work. Personally, figure in ct, you would use the ac june,july, and august, lot of work for 3 months.

I agree its a lot of work "money" for half a year - we typically install our window units in May and remove them mid October. The cool air really helps my allergies and that is worth it. Plus I assume using a single out door unit will cost less to run then four window jobbers?

Me and wife are leaning towards the mini or ductless system?

I think you need to get some qoutes from people who can see what your house needs & the configuration of attics, rooflines & areas for ducts & where return air would be
for a central unit.
Have these people explain both layouts to you...central
and minisplit locations..which would work best & why.
Then get qoutes on both installs from at least 3 contractors.
The ballpark price you get online can change drastically if the house is difficult for install.

Best of luck to you.

(btw, ryan...good posts!)

The main difference with a central system is you will get a consistant temperature in each room of your house. For your house you said you use four window units. So you would install 4 ductless units. This would give you a little better comfort but you will still have rooms without direct AC. I would say without seeing your house the house would be very similar between ductless and a central ducted unit. For resale a central system will be viewed as far superior.

Also, don't expect your electric costs to go down. If you go with a central system you will be cooling more square feet.

You have a lot of decisions to make but more questions to ask what is your long term position are you going to be in this house for awhile or thinking of moving in the next couple of years?
Is the quality of your indoor environment more important to you or are you simply concerned with cost effectiveness?
If you are going to be there for awhile 3 or more years then you need to buy the most efficient system you can afford that may well be a high seer mini split system in CT if you have 4 or 6 well placed evaporators you can create an envelope to cool the entire space and they have attractive evaporator cases now you can even display artwork or large photographs so looks are not a problem now for indoor air quality you can only improve your indoor air quality effectively through the utilization of a whole house system where you can take advantage of the air changes to clean and properly dehumidify, which is really the building block for all other air quality variables

Here is a link that might be useful: Air Conditioning and Heating Repair Made Easy

I've almost made up my mind on one installer - offered a fair price (not the lowest) on a 3 unit mini-split system. He uses Fujistu units and the model he picked also has a heat option. Which might be a good feature to help offset the high oil prices during the fall and spring when its a tad cool.

How well are the fujitsu models - any known issues? I assume this is a middle-upper tier brand?

I bumped this up because I also own a raised ranch in CT and was curious as to what your decision was. I have been looking online for info and prices on the split units for the past week and boy I am beginning to get dizzy. I am only interested in cooling the upstairs addition we did (approx 24' X 18') for now as it is almost complete. Then we are doing a remodel on the existing LR/DR/Kitchen which would require another unit. I am not concerned about the bedrooms, single units are best for the way we use the bedrooms and I am not concerned about the downstairs.

If you do not mind I would appreciate your input as to your success. TIA