Using Ductless As A Supplemental Heat Source
There is nothing like coming home to a nice warm room on a cold winter night. Many homeowners use central heating to keep their homes toasty. Homeowners want to stay comfortable, even when it’s really cold outside. This comfort comes at a cost. Central heating systems can be expensive to run. This is especially true if not all the rooms in the home are in use. Why heat rooms that no one is using? One answer to this is supplemental ductless heating.
These HVAC systems are more efficient than central heating but still provide all the home comfort you desire. As such, ductless heat pump systems are rapidly gaining in popularity over central heating systems. Here, we discuss what a ductless heat pump system can do for you.
What Do I Need To Know About Ductless Heat Pumps?
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A ductless heat pump system, also known as a mini-split system, has two main units. One of the units is outside. This is called the compressor or condenser unit. The other is indoors and takes in the inside air. The units are connected with a conduit. This conduit contains all the things like power and refrigeration needed to make the heating and cooling work. A homeowner can use this heat pump system to heat rooms in a home that lacks traditional ductwork. For example, heating garages or additions to the home that are not connected to the main HVAC system.
Even homes that have traditional ductwork and central heating benefit from supplemental heating. You can now reduce the temperature setting on the central heating thermostat. This frees you to use the ductless system only in the most frequently used rooms.
This is a more attractive option than simply shutting off vents to unused rooms in the home. Closing a vent actually increases wear on the heating system. The closed vent causes an energy-draining pressure imbalance in the system, reducing the lifespan of the HVAC unit. If you choose to heat the whole home, even the unused rooms, your energy cost goes up.
Are Ductless Systems Energy Efficient?
The cost of operation is an important factor in any decision to install a new heating system. This is critically important in areas where extremely cold weather often occurs. Ductless heat pump systems are more than capable of providing high-efficiency heating and cooling.
What Are the Benefits Of Ductless Heating Systems?
If you want to get a ductless heat pump, expect some of the following benefits:
Heat Only What You Need
You can program a ductless heat pump system to heat your home on a room-by-room basis, otherwise known as HVAC zoning. For example, you can heat the downstairs instead of the upstairs. You can also use the ductless system to heat your bedroom. You can then reduce the thermostat on the central heating. You won’t need to heat the entire home while you are sleeping. Plus, you can stay cozy while under the covers. The ductless system can heat one room or zone without affecting the others. You can also set heating zones, as we will discuss later.
Reduce Your Energy Costs
You will also see the benefits show up in your monthly energy bills. High-efficiency ductless heat pumps minimize the amount of energy needed to heat your home. These systems also provide more effective heating and cooling than traditional central heating and air systems. The lack of ductwork in mini-splits means that you won’t have to deal with the issues that arise with ductwork, like leaks and energy losses.
No Ducts Needed
Central heating and air systems require a maze of ducts to transport air around the home. This is not needed with the mini-split ductless heat pump system. These systems push conditioned air directly to the rooms or zones where it is needed. Over time, ducts can develop gaps, cracks, and other leaks, which reduce energy efficiency. Mini-splits resolve this by not needing to move air long distances. This reduces the potential losses you get from moving air through ducts.
HVAC Zones For More Control
One benefit of ductless mini-splits versus central heating and cooling systems is that you can easily set HVAC zones. That is, you can define a zone for heating. For example, since your kitchen has heat sources, you can reduce the temperature setting on your ductless heat pump when cooking or using the stove. You also can define a bedroom zone with a higher setting to keep warm while sleeping. Overall, zones allow you to be in charge. You can decide which areas in your home need the most heating or cooling at any given time. This is especially useful for multi-story homes or larger buildings. No more one-size-fits-all for whole homes or buildings. No more boiling the upstairs to keep the downstairs tolerable, either. Everyone gets the heating they need without sacrificing the comfort of others.
Comfort in Summer, Comfort in Winter
Any air conditioning system has a major drawback. No matter how energy efficient it is, the system can only cool. And conversely, a furnace can only heat. A ductless heat pump, though, provides comfort all year round. When it’s warm, you can use the cooling setting. When it’s cold, switch to the heating feature. The ductless unit provides supplemental comfort whenever it is needed, summer or winter.
Boost Indoor Air Quality
Maintaining indoor air quality is an important concern for all. You want to avoid having too much dust or too little ventilation. You also want to avoid having indoor air that is too humid or too dry. These issues reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. This is in addition to making indoor air just plain uncomfortable and unhealthy. Ductless heat pumps come with features like advanced filtration systems, which lessen these issues. Many models feature dehumidifiers and high-quality air filters to improve indoor air quality.
High Energy Efficiency
A key performance rating for heating units is called the high heating season performance factor, or HSPF. When buying, look for a heat pump with a high rating. Most heat pumps do well in this category, with some having ratings from 8 to 10. Ductless heat pump units are among the best in the market.
A key cooling performance rating is the season energy efficiency rating or SEER. As a bonus, heat pumps get high ratings on cooling performance as well. The best performing units on the market are awarded the Energy Star mark, given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These have, at minimum, an HSPF rating of 8.2 and a SEER rating of 14.5. Most ductless heat pump systems are Energy Star compliant.
Ductless mini-splits are highly efficient. Therefore, it’s easy to see why so many people use them as both a source of supplemental heating and cooling. These units are far more efficient than central air and heating units. When outdoor temperatures get extreme, you can rely on these systems to keep your home snug.
Supplemental Heat Where You Need It
Sometimes certain parts of a building or structure simply cannot be heated or cooled by conventional means. You can use ductless systems to provide heating or cooling to those areas. This is certainly useful if you need comfortable temperatures in any area of your home or structure. You can then heat or cool those unreachable areas without central heating or cooling, or ductwork. For example, you can use ductless systems to heat those hard-to-heat places like problematic rooms, standalone sheds, attics, basements, garages, or other additions to your home.
Call Point Bay Fuel To Learn More About Ductless HVAC Systems
Point Bay Fuel offers superior heating and cooling services in Ocean and Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Our team of certified technicians can provide you with excellent HVAC services, including tune-ups, repairs, replacements, and more. Each technician has outstanding knowledge and experience to serve your HVAC system needs correctly.
Point Bay Fuel guarantees to provide the most competitive heating and cooling service costs in the area. Our maintenance services will improve your comfort, increase your system’s energy efficiency, and reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs.
Need your system repaired or replaced? We’ll recommend the best solution for your home while working within your budget. The best part is, all our work is backed with a guarantee to ensure your satisfaction. To schedule a service appointment, give us a call today! We also offer in-home estimates.
Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists!