Heat pumps work by moving warm air between your home and the outdoors. In the winter, warm air is brought into the house from outside, and in the summer, warm air is moved from the house to the outdoors. Heat pumps are generally split systems, containing a pump outside and an air handler inside. The air handler distributes the warm or cool air throughout your house through your duct system.
If you don’t have a duct system in your home, the outdoor pump can be used to power a number of indoor air handlers. This type of system is called a ductless mini split, and it’s one of the most energy-efficient ways to heat and cool your home.
Advantages of ductless mini splits
- No ducts required. Ducts are difficult to install and take up a lot of space in your home. If you have existing ductwork, its efficiency depends on proper installation. Ducts commonly leak about 20 percent of the air moving through them, especially if they’re not insulated. Ductless mini splits provide wall-mounted air handlers that supply the air directly to each room, making them easier to install than ducts and considerably more energy efficient.
- Better temperature control. Because each air handler operates independently, controlled by its own thermostat, ductless mini splits allow you to control the temperature of each room, increasing energy efficiency and keeping your home more comfortable. This is especially true in older homes, where efficiently heating and cooling upper floors is notoriously difficult.
- Lower energy costs. Heating and cooling your home with a traditional duct system comprises nearly half of your home’s total energy bill. A ductless system can save you up to 30 percent a year on your energy costs, largely due to the ability to control the temperature in each room.
Ductless mini splits have been around for nearly 30 years and are one of the most energy-efficient and cost-effective ways to heat and cool your home. For more expert advice about these systems, please feel free to contact us at Around the Clock. We’re always happy to help residents of the Los Angeles area!
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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