Just because your home does not have the ductwork required to accommodate standard HVAC units, doesn’t mean you cannot adequately heat and cool it. A ductless heat pump can efficiently and strategically control the temperature of your home without, as per its name, the use of ducts. It’s so good, in fact, that even those whose houses are equipped with ductwork are switching over to ductless heat pumps. Here’s what to think about before you make the call.
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What Is a Ductless Heat Pump?
A ductless heat pump, also known as a ductless mini-split system or ductless air conditioning, is a HVAC system that, as its name suggests, does not require the use of ducts to operate. Despite what the name suggests,ductless heat pumps work both to heat and to cool homes.
Ductless heat pumps generally consist of an outdoor unit and an indoor one. Typically, they are used in homes with no ductwork, but they can prove useful in a variety of homes that might be difficult to heat and cool, including windowless rooms, basem*nts with hopper windows and unusually small apartments.
Ductless heat pumps connect their outdoor units to their indoor units through a combination of power cables, refrigerant lines, suction tubing and condensation drain lines. In a ductless heat pump’s cooling process, warm air from within the home enters the indoor unit and blows over the evaporator coils. In the evaporator coils, a refrigerant solution absorbs the heat, reducing the room’s temperature and releasing cool air into the room. The evaporator coils send the warmed refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where condenser coils cool down the refrigerant before sending it back to the indoor unit, beginning the process anew.
In a ductless heat pump’s heating process, the air from outside enters the outdoor unit, blowing over the unit’s coils. These coils absorb the heat from the outside air, which warms the refrigerant. The warmed refrigerant is then sent to the compressor coils, where it becomes even hotter, warming the air within the unit. The indoor unit will then blow this hot air into the room. Meanwhile, the refrigerant cools down and is sent back to the outdoor unit to repeat the process.
Types of Ductless Heat Pumps
Single-Zone Mini Split
A single-zone mini split system comes with one outdoor unit and indoor unit and is suitable for controlling the temperature of a small apartment or house. Typically, the indoor unit is placed in a central and/or highly trafficked area of the home.
Multi-Zone Mini Split
A multi-zone mini split system comes with one outdoor unit and up to five indoor units. It is designed to meet the needs of larger homes, and indoor units might be placed strategically throughout the house or apartment.
Wall-Mounted
Most ductless heat pumps are mounted high on a wall in the home to maximize airflow. Many are designed to blend in with walls so that your home’s aesthetic is not disrupted.
Floor-Standing
Rather than mounted upon a wall, floor-standing ductless heat pumps are installed on the floor. While in most cases wall-mounting is preferable, installing a ductless heat pump at floor level can prove beneficial in homes with slanted walls, low ceilings or large windows.
Ceiling Cassette
Ceiling cassette ductless heat pumps are installed directly in the ceiling. Though this option is more costly than wall-mounting and floor-standing ductless heat pumps, homeowners will sometimes choose it for aesthetic reasons or out of a desire to maximize wall and floor space.
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Cost of Ductless Heat Pumps
Most ductless heat pumps cost between $5,000 and $9,000, with multi-zone mini split systems coming in as high as $20,000, depending on the number of indoor units. This range is around $3,000 lower than that of most standard HVAC systems, but the upfront cost of installation can be high.
Pros And Cons of Ductless Heat Pumps
Pros
- No ductwork required, meaning an easy installation
- Zone control allows homeowners to determine which areas of the home to heat or cool, saving money
- Energy-efficient and environmentally friendly
- Even heating and cooling without hot and cold spots in a room
Cons
- High upfront costs
- Not as ubiquitous as standard HVAC systems, meaning fewer companies have expertise in installing them
- Occasionally an eyesore
- Some ductless heat pumps can’t handle temperatures lower than 13 degrees Fahrenheit
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Factors to Consider
If your home does not have ductwork, you are obviously a great candidate for a ductless heat pump. It will save you the headache of major renovations, as well as the money that such renovations require. Even if you do have ductwork, you might still consider a ductless heat pump if your ductwork is out-of-date or in need of repair. In many cases, the cost of a ductless heat pump is comparable with that of updating old ductwork if you take into account the money saved from a ductless heat pump’s energy efficiency.
If there are members of your household with dramatically varying temperature needs or wants, a multi-zone mini-split ductless heat pump system may mitigate household climate drama. And if you’re looking to be kinder to the environment, a ductless heat pump may be worth looking into.
If you live in a cold climate, you’ll want to be careful in selecting your brand and model of ductless heat pump, since some cannot handle air below 13 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have up-to-date ductwork and a well-running HVAC system, now may not be the time to invest in a ductless heat pump. If you’re particular about your home’s aesthetic and fretful about compromising the look of your place even minorly, you, too, may want to think twice about a ductless heat pump.
Bottom Line
In many cases, a ductless heat pump is an option worth considering. It is efficient, easy to install and economically and environmentally efficient. Barring special circ*mstances, it is the clear winner of HVAC systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I choose a ductless heat pump?
Determine the size of and number of rooms within the space you want to heat and cool. This will help you determine whether you need a single-zone or multi-zone mini split. You might also consider any special features you want your ductless heat pump to have, such as Wi-Fi connectivity so that you can control the temperature of your home from your smartphone.
You should also think about where you want your unit installed. If wallspace feels precious to you, consider a floor unit or a ceiling cassette. And if you’re sensitive to noise, be aware of the number of decibels the unit requires. Anything under 20 decibels should be fine, while anything higher than that might create a noticeable rustling sound.
What to look for when buying a heat pump?
The biggest concern for many homeowners when selecting a ductless heat pump is the aesthetic problem it can present. Clunky, white and hard-to-miss, many mini-split units can detract from a home’s carefully curated aesthetic, that said, increasingly sleek and subtle ductless heat pumps are becoming available on the market at an accessible price. If style is a priority for you, look for something streamlined and subdued.
What questions to ask when buying a heat pump?
You’ll want to determine whether the ductless heat pump in question can accommodate the size and number of rooms you are looking to heat and cool. You’ll also want to make sure that the ductless heat pump is compatible with the lowest temperatures expected in your area. If you’re sensitive to noise, ask for an idea of how loud the unit is likely to get.
Do heat pumps require a lot of maintenance?
Much like a conventional HVAC system, a ductless heat pump requires simple routine maintenance. This includes cleaning each of its components every few months and a professional inspection about once a year.