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Installing the air handler
A large or small blower can be installed, depending on the size of the room.
Courtesy of NW Energy Efficiency Alliance
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Illustration courtesy of Collaborative Efficiency
Q: My husband and I think our winter electricity bills are high because of our baseboard heaters and our summer bills are high because of our window AC units. Our neighbors installed a ductless heat-pump system in their home. How well do those work?
A: Mini-split ductless heat pumps are becoming more popular not only as replacement heating systems, but also in new construction. They can heat efficiently even when winter temperatures drop below the freezing point, and they are an economical and energy-efficient replacement for window AC units.
Beyond cost savings, some homeowners find the increased comfort level is worth the switch to ductless heat pumps. With baseboard heaters, heat rises along the walls, but with a ductless system, heated air is more likely to flow throughout the rooms evenly.
Ductless heat pumps are often installed as the primary heating source and paired with a backup system that kicks in when outside temperatures are extremely cold. Baseboard heaters are an electric-resistance system and use much more energy than a heat pump, which moves heat in or out of the home. Switching to a heat pump should reduce your heating costs considerably. Heat pumps work harder as the outside air temperature drops, but combining the heat pump with a backup heating system solves that problem.
Ductless heat-pump systems can be an ideal solution if your home doesn’t have a duct system. If your existing ductwork is in poor condition, installing a ductless heat pump may be more practical or less expensive than repairing, sealing and insulating ducts.
A ductless heat pump has two main components: the outdoor compressor and the indoor air handler. Coolant and electrical lines run through a conduit from the compressor outside the home through the wall to the inside air handler(s).
Ductless heat pumps can be configured in different ways. A common approach is to provide heating and cooling to one large zone in the home by using a single compressor and a single air handler. Or, you could use one compressor to power as many as four inside air handlers, each with its own thermostat. A home can even have more than one outside compressor.
As you explore ductless heat pumps, here are some questions to consider:
- What other investments could you make to reduce your energy costs or improve comfort? Is a ductless heat pump the best option? A thorough energy audit of your home will help answer these questions.
- Are rebates or tax incentives available for installing a heat pump? You can search for financial-incentive programs at energy.gov/savings/search or at the online Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.
- What is the best size and efficiency level for a ductless heat pump in your home?
- Are there contractors in your area with experience installing ductless heat pumps?
Visit energystar.gov to find tips on hiring contractors for the job.
Send questions to Energy Q&A, South Carolina Living, 808 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033, email energyqa@scliving.coop or fax (803) 739-3041.
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