How do mini-split heat pumps work?
A heat pump is a device that moves heat from one place to another. It works much like an air conditioner or a refrigerator and not like a boiler or furnace that burns fuel. While a refrigerator moves heat from your fridge to your kitchen, a heat pump moves heat from your home to the outside and vice versa.
Like a central air conditioning system, mini-split heat pumps have two parts: an outdoor condensing unit and one or more indoor air handling units, connected by a conduit through your wall. They usually have no ducts, but can sometimes have a short duct system.
How much electricity does a mini-split heat pump use?
Incredibly, they only use half the electricity that would be used by window air conditioners for cooling. For heating, mini-split heat pumps’ average efficiency for an entire winter is typically in the 200-250 percent range – compare that to an oil-fired boiler efficiency of 97 percent or to an electric baseboard at 100 percent.
Doesn’t it cost more to heat with electricity?
No, because heat pumps move heat rather than generate it, they can heat and cool at a significantly lower cost than other systems. In fact, The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships found that in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions air source heat pumps save around 3,000 kWh (or $459) when compared to electric resistance heaters, and 6,200 kWh (or $948) when compared to oil systems. When displacing oil (i.e., the oil system remains, but operates less frequently), the average annual savings are near 3,000 kWh (or about $300).
Do I have to replace my entire existing heating system to use heat pumps?
Heat pumps work with most heating systems, such as forced hot air, radiators, or radiant (floor) heat. They can also be “ductless,” in which case they transfer warm or cool air directly into the house. Some people choose to install heat pumps on top of their legacy heating system so that the old system can kick in if temperatures get very cold.
How do I decide which kind of heat pump is right for my home?
A qualified installer is your best guide, but if you want to learn more now, check out this buying guide.
