Mini-split heat pumps are best for cooling or heating specific zones or rooms within your home, such as attic and basement bedrooms, additions or any room that isn’t adequately served by your existing central air system.
Although not traditionally used for whole-home heating in larger homes, mini-split ductless heat pumps can have multiple air handlers for every outdoor unit, meaning you can heat up to five separate rooms with a single heat pump. For some homeowners, mini-split heat pumps may be a feasible alternative to central air.
If you’re looking to cool and heat your entire home, it’s likely best to have more than one unit installed within the mini-split system. Keep in mind, the exact number of air handlers/zones needed for your home will depend on your home’s square footage, number of rooms and cooling and heating habits.
Air handlers allow you to control the temperature in each room. For instance, you can choose to heat and cool only the rooms that are being used, reducing wasted energy and your monthly energy bills.
How Does a Mini-Split Heat Pump System Cool and Heat an Entire Home?
A mini-split heat pump system consists of one outdoor unit connected to multiple indoor head units/air handlers, which are installed in different rooms (or zones) throughout the house. Heat energy is transferred from outside air through refrigerant lines to the indoor units where it is converted into either cool air for summer months or warm air for winter months depending on what setting you choose.
This allows each room or zone in your home to be heated or cooled individually based on its occupant temperature preferences without having to rely on a centralized HVAC system with ductwork running throughout your house.
Can I Use a Mini-Split Heat Pump to Cool or Heat a Single Room Only?
Yes, you can use a mini-split heat pump to cool or heat a single room only. A mini-split heat pump can be used as a supplemental source of heating and air conditioning for areas like a garage or attic, both of which usually aren’t integrated into a home’s central air. In fact, cooling and heating your garage with your central air is a decisively bad idea. Garage air tends to be filled with carbon monoxide from car exhaust, chemical odors from paint and cleaning products and other airborne pollutants that you don’t want to circulate inside your living spaces.
If you spend a lot of time in an insulated garage and wish to keep it cool or warm depending on the season, the best solution is likely to install a mini-split heat pump.
Since a mini-split heat pump works by transferring heat energy, which is then used to heat or cool interior spaces, you’ll never have to worry about garage air mixing with your home’s indoor air.
What Are Some Additional Benefits of Using a Mini-Split Heat Pump System?
- Increased energy efficiency: Mini-split heat pump systems are highly efficient. This means they don’t use as much energy as other systems and can save you money in the long run.
- Quiet operation: Mini-splits are designed with noise reduction technology so they run quietly without disturbing your peace and quiet while providing effective heating and cooling solutions inside your home.
- Low maintenance costs: Unlike traditional HVAC systems, which require frequent maintenance visits due to their complex components, mini-splits have fewer moving parts and are much more simply/elegantly designed, making them easier (and cheaper) to maintain over time.
- Space saving design: Since there is no need for bulky ductwork with a mini-split system, installation is much more flexible than other types of conventional HVAC systems, saving you space both inside and outside your home. This is often ideal if you’re looking for an unobtrusive solution.
- Doesn’t require ductwork: A mini-split heat pump does not require ductwork. It uses an outdoor condenser and one or more indoor air handlers that are connected to the outdoor unit via refrigerant lines.
Are You Ready for an Energy Efficient HVAC Solution for Your Bangor Home?
If you’re looking to upgrade your home’s HVAC system with a more efficient and reliable option, consider having a mini-split heat pump installed by one of the skilled technicians at Valley Home Services.
Once we install your system, we can ensure it’s properly serviced and maintained.
Call us at (800) 316-7815 to learn how we can help you with your mini-split heat pump needs.
