Using Ductless As A Supplemental Heat Source
Many homes and buildings require heating, especially during the winter season. A lot of homeowners often utilize central heating systems to fight the discomfort. However, these heating systems can be costly to run. This is particularly true for homes with unoccupied rooms. Therefore, many homeowners have found that they can achieve comfort efficiently using supplemental ductless heating. Ductless systems are gaining more popularity as more and more homes and offices use them because of their convenience and efficiency. Read on to find out if this is the right option for you.
Supplemental Ductless Heating: Is This A Good Option For You?
Contents
This article discusses what a ductless heat pump is and the reasons it may fit your home’s heating requirements.
What Is A Ductless Heat Pump?
A ductless heat pump or mini-split system consists of the outdoor condenser or compressor and the indoor air handler. A conduit links these two components. The conduit is composed of the power cable, refrigerant and suction tubing, and condensate drain.
A ductless system is one of the best options when you need additional supplemental heat as it is perfect as a retrofit add-on for heating systems without ductwork. Ductless heat pumps are ideal for use in room additions and extensions. It also works well in areas of homes or buildings where ductwork installation isn’t possible.
Ductless systems are also a good option for homes without ductwork. All rooms in the house are heated as a result of the central heating system design. Closing the vents in unoccupied rooms only creates an imbalance in the pressure, causing more wear and tear and increased energy bills. Homeowners are left with no choice but to heat the home entirely. A ductless heat pump allows homeowners to set the central unit temperature lower and install a ductless mini-split in frequently used rooms. This lets homeowners reduce their heating costs while enhancing their comfort.
Energy Efficiency Of Ductless Mini-Splits
The operational cost is one of the main concerns that home and business owners have when considering a heating system installation. This is primarily a concern for people living in regions with colder weather. The good news is that ductless heat pumps offer plenty of high-efficiency heating and cooling benefits.
Benefits Of Using A Ductless Heat Pump For Supplemental Heat
Here are some of the advantages you can expect with a ductless heat pump should you choose to use it as a supplemental heat source:
Customized Comfort
You can program a ductless heat pump to heat some rooms in your home at specific temperatures, depending on the location of the indoor air handler. This is thanks to its zoning capabilities. For instance, you can set the temperature higher downstairs than in upstairs rooms. If you have a bedroom that is mainly used, you can lower the temperature of the central unit and let the ductless heat pump run instead. This way, you don’t have to constantly run the central unit and pay for heating the whole house. You can mainly depend on your ductless system when you need heating in one specific room or zone.
Reduced Energy Cost
Heat pumps are highly efficient, helping you save on energy costs. They maximize the energy they use and heat or cool your home more effectively. Heat pumps do not require ductwork, so they can distribute cool or warm air more effectively without the problems linked with ducts.
Mini-Splits Do Not Require Ductwork
Central air systems need a network of ducts, but mini-splits don’t need them. This feature lets ductless units deliver the cold or warm air directly to the zones or rooms. Many homeowners may not know that ducts can reduce the air systems’ efficiency because the ductwork can develop holes, gaps, and cracks as time passes. This causes air to leak, wasting energy. This is not a problem with mini-splits.
HVAC Zoning
Ductless mini-splits allow you to have zones. This makes it possible for you to divide your home into a number of zones, with each zone having its own temperature setting. For instance, the kitchen can be a single zone, and you can set the temperature lower as this area is usually warmer because of the stoves and other cooking equipment. On the other hand, you can set the temperatures in bedrooms higher to keep them warmer.
HVAC zones can ensure that all your cooling and heating needs are met, no matter how many people are in the house. This is a handy feature for homes with several stories or larger buildings.
Year-Round Comfort
Air conditioners, regardless of how efficient, can only provide comfort during the summer. On the other hand, furnaces can warm your home during the winter but cannot offer comfort during the hot months. A ductless heat pump offers home comfort no matter the season. You can turn on its cooling feature in the summer and switch it to heat mode in the winter. This means that ductless units can be a supplement cooling or heating source for your home all year round.
Increased Indoor Air Quality
All homes and buildings are concerned with indoor air quality. Insufficient ventilation, excessive dust, and too low or too high humidity can compromise indoor comfort. All these problems can reduce your HVAC system’s efficiency. However, ductless heat pumps are equipped with features like advanced filtration systems. These can help lower the effects of these problems. These systems usually have dehumidification systems and highly efficient air filters to ensure better air quality.
High Energy Efficiency
The best heat pumps have a high heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF). Heat pumps usually have higher HSPF ratings that range from 8 to 10. Ductless mini-splits have some of the best HSPF ratings. They also have higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings, which measure the units’ cooling efficiency. The US Environmental Protection Agency gives an Energy Star mark to any heat pump unit with a minimum HSPF rating of 8.2 and a SEER rating of at least 14.5. These units are considered to be the best-performing heat pumps in the market. Most ductless units have the highest HSPF and SEER ratings, so they are qualified to receive the Energy Star mark.
Additionally, many homeowners use ductless mini-splits as a supplemental heating and cooling source for their central HVAC systems because they are highly efficient. Many find that ductless systems are more efficient than their old central units. As a result, they utilize ductless systems as their main source of comfort when there are extreme outdoor temperatures.
Using Ductless As A Supplemental Heat Source
Homes and structures that have certain areas inaccessible to traditional sources of heat or cold air can install ductless systems as a supplemental heating or cooling source. This way, all areas in the building that need heating or cooling are covered. Comfort is assured no matter where you may be at any moment. Their capability and adaptability to produce cold or hot air independent of a central air system make ductless units the best choice for structures that standard systems cannot service, such as basements, attics, sheds, and garages.
Call Lawes Company For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
For superior HVAC services in Monmouth and Ocean County, New Jersey, call Lawes Company. Our professionally certified technicians are highly capable of providing first-rate heating and cooling maintenance, repairs, replacements, and installations. All our techs can correctly service your HVAC system using their extensive knowledge and experience.
Our company offers one of the most reasonably priced HVAC service prices in the area. We can help increase your energy efficiency, improve home comfort, and reduce energy bills with our maintenance services. We can make recommendations regarding the best and most budget-friendly HVAC repair or replacement system solutions. All our work comes with a guarantee. Give Lawes Company a call to book a service appointment. We offer free, in-home estimates.
Contact us now at (732) 741-6300 to find out more!