Hello,
l'm looking to get AC (and heat pumps) in my 2100 sq ft colonial. Myplan was to get traditional ducted AC on the 2nd floor and 2 mini splits on the 1st floor. The install of central AC is going to require duct work, my house has none. My contractor recommended I get 1 system for the entire house, traditional ducted central AC with heat pumps rather than ducted system upstairs and mini splits downstairs. He said the one ducted system is the better choice and I'd be happier with it. The cost of either option is about the same. Obviously the entire ducted system is more work for him so it doesn't seem he's pushing me to the ducted system because it's easier. The only downside is he says the ducts will come through the closets but the duct is pretty small and he says they hide it behind cloth, most people don't even know it's there when he's done (pic attached)

If the price is more or less the same. What's the better choice. Full ducted system or ducted and mini splits? I've been going back and forth and can't decide. The contractor obviously said he would do anything I want.

 

In general I think it is better to have different systems for different floors. Heat rises so in summer the upstairs is going to need more cooling and in winter the downstairs will need more heat. Some systems have zones that can make a single system perform better in varying seasons so it depends on the system you are being quoted.

I would no under estimate the ducting needed. If you go with one, forced air system where would the air handler be located? I assume you are going to need decent sized trunk lines to get upstairs which would eat a lot of closet space.

 

The air handler would be in the attic, with vents coming down to the second floor (right below the attic) for every room. Then the duct work would come through the closets down to the 1st floor. Basically everything is coming from the top down. I don't know much about this but it seems like a pretty robust system.

Install one Bosch, Model #BOVB-60HDN1M18, 18.5 SEER, 9.5 HSPF, variable speed, heat pump,
condensing unit and one Bosch, Model #BVA-48WN1M20, 4-ton, ECM, air handler to provide heating and cooling for the first floor living areas and the second floor sleeping areas. Air handler to be located in the attic and ducted to new ceiling-mounted supply diffusers on the first and second floors and main return grills on the second floor. Air to be distributed to the first floor via second floor closets. Condensing unit to be located outdoors on pad with risers and piped to the air handler in the attic.
One Honeywell, Model #HZ322, control system, with two Honeywell, Model #TH8321WF1001,
Pro 8000 series, dual fuel, WiFi, touch screen, programmable thermostats to separately control the first floor from the second floor. The existing oil boiler heat zones to be wired to the new thermostats as the back up heating source.
All main supply and return ductwork to be commercial grade, 26-gauge, galvanized steel. Insulated R-8, foil flex duct to be used for branch connections in the attic, hard pipe to be used in the closets. All main supply and return ductwork to be insulated and sealed as required