Can you name something more akin to Philly than cheesesteaks?
We can: Ductless Mini-Splits.
Okay, maybe an air conditioning system doesn't quite scream "Philadelphia" like going to your favorite spot and ordering "one whiz wit." But if you live in an historic Philly rowhome with little space and no ductwork or efficient HVAC system, then a ductless system could be the perfect fit for you.
The Great Debate
Ah, the City of Brotherly Love. Home to the Liberty Bell, Rocky steps, and of course - cheesesteaks. Philly cheesesteaks are a great source of debate for city natives, with everyone having their own devotion to a different place. Here are some of the best and most popular cheesesteak joints according to Visit Philly:
- Dalessandro's: Go to Dalessandro's and you'll almost definitely see a line out the door. This small spot by Manayunk loads the bread with finely chopped meat that you can see being cooked right in front of you.
- Pat's: The owner of Pat's claims to have invented the cheesesteak in 1930, and the store has grown to be one of the most famous steak shops in the world.
- Geno's: You've probably been asked - "Pat's or Geno's?" Sitting right across the street and serving similar looking steaks, Geno's has always been a rival to Pat's. Bonus: both are open 24/7.
- Cleaver's: Cleaver's offers enormous steaks and a variety of non-traditional topping options. They also have vegetarian options; although, as you'll see on their menu, really?
- Ishkabibble's: Known for their chicken cheesesteak and how they veer away from the traditional ordering "rules," Ishkabibble's is a popular South Street spot.
- John's Roast Pork: Opened in 1930, John's Roast Pork has been a long time South Philly favorite. Their big differentiator? Crunchy seeded rolls from Carangi's Bakery.
- Jim's: Jim's has multiple locations, but the best known one sits on South Street, where the classic smell of fried onions floats down the street.
- Woodrow's: Woodrow's, a specialty sandwich shop, offers a fancier option with their delicious house-made truffle cheese whiz. This one is a personal favorite!
Comment your favorite place below!
What is a Mini-Split Air Conditioner?
While a common question may be what the best cheesesteak is, many Philadelphia homeowners also ask themselves something just as important: how can I efficiently heat and cool my home?!
Rowhouses, narrow one-to-four story houses, are more prevalent in Philadelphia than any other city. The historic houses are attached to the neighbors on either side and were built without ductwork, making them poorly suited for traditional HVAC systems. Rowhomes also tend to be on the smaller side, and homeowners typically don't want to give up valuable space for a bulky system that also messes with the home's look.
Sound like a familiar issue? Then a ductless mini-split system could be right for you.
The central heating and cooling systems that are traditionally used in Delaware Valley homes are called split systems because they have both indoor and outdoor components. A ductless mini-split air conditioner also has indoor and outdoor components, but it takes up a lot less space than traditional heating and cooling systems.
Another key difference is that it doesn't rely on ducts to deliver heated and cooled air. And if you live in an historic home in Chestnut Hill, Elkins Park, or Philadelphia, you know what an obstacle ductwork can be. Ductless units can also be painted to match wherever you want to put it! This is just another reason that ductless units are great for older homes.
How do Mitsubishi mini-split units work?
Mini-split air conditioners work similarly to other types of air conditioners in that they compress and expand refrigerant to pull away heat and moisture from the air. But there are some pretty significant differences between mini-split air systems and other types of air conditioners, and they include:
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Heat Pumps - How are ductless air conditioners, or mini-split air conditioners, capable of working without needing large indoor and outdoor units? The secret lies in energy-efficient heat pumps. They take advantage of heat's tendency to move from warm areas to cool areas. In doing so, they are capable of heating and cooling while using a lot less energy.
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Connections - As with a traditional heating and cooling system, mini-split systems have indoor and outdoor components. In this case, however, the units are connected by suction lines (which draw away condensate), refrigerant lines (which facilitate the transfer of warm air), and power lines, (which keep everything humming along smoothly).
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Indoor Units - With a mini-split air conditioner, outdoor units are mounted on outside walls. There are also compact indoor units, which may be mounted on floors, ceilings, or high up on walls. These units have blowers that deliver heated and cooled air to a specific area. You can't fully understand how mini-split air conditioners work without seeing that no ducts are involved at all!
Here's a quick, straightforward video from the guys at This Old House. Watch to see how a Mitsubishi Ductless Mini-Split system is installed and how it works.
Installing Mitsubishi mini-split air conditioners
If you've decided that a Ductless Mini-Split system is the solution to your heating and cooling needs, then you're probably wondering what the price is and what size unit(s) you will need.
These questions can best be answered by a trained professional coming to take a look at your home and see exactly what you need. However, we also have some informative articles to give you a pretty good idea on pricing and sizing.
You've already got enough to worry about in deciding between a seeded or unseeded roll and cheese whiz or provolone. Don't let concerns with home comfort be another thing on your plate!
ECI has tons of experience in installing ductless systems in Philadelphia rowhouses, and your home could be our next project.
Want to learn more and see if ductless is the right solution for you? Click the button below to schedule a free consultation or give us a call at 215 - 245 - 3200.
