- May be used for cooling and heating
- May reduce utility bills up to 50%
- Reduces emissions
- Very low maintenance
- No combustible fuel or carbon monoxide concerns
Ductless, mini-split-system heat pumps (mini splits) make good retrofit add-ons to houses with “non-ducted” heating systems, such as hydronic (hot water heat), radiant panels, and space heaters (wood, kerosene, propane). The main advantages of mini-splits is their small size and flexibility for zoning or heating and cooling individual rooms.
The second more common type, called the split-system heat pump, allows more options for installation location. The indoor air-handling unit and heat exchanger are separate from the compressor and the outdoor exchanger. Split systems also use ductwork to distribute conditioned air into your home.
The packaged heat pump is a self-contained unit that allows the compressor and both heat exchangers to be located outside your home. The unit uses ductwork to distribute heated and cooled air throughout your home.
The technology in an air-source heat pump is similar to what you would find in your kitchen refrigerator. Using a simple refrigeration cycle, refrigerators remove heat from your food and drinks and reject it into the kitchen. This process of moving heat is achieved by taking advantage of the energy stored and released when a refrigerant changes from a liquid to a gas.
Simply put, a heat pump can move heat into or out of your home. In the summer, it acts like a standard air conditioner and moves heat from the inside outdoors. It does exactly the opposite in the winter, capturing heat from the outdoors and moving it into your home, keeping you and your family warm.
There are a number of reasons to consider an air-source heat pump to heat and cool your home, not the least of which is energy efficiency. Also, today’s models are designed to provide optimum comfort no matter the season.
- Make your home as energy-efficient as possible with proper insulation and air-sealing – Doing so will allow for a smaller heat pump
- A properly sized heat pump provides optimum comfort without the need to change thermostat settings – Make sure your HVAC contractor completes a Manual-J load calculation before installing a heat pump
- Avoid using the emergency heat mode unless necessary – The unit becomes less efficient in the emergency mode and when the thermostat settings are frequently changed
- Simply set and forget the thermostat for maximum operating performance
- Assure ductwork is properly sealed and insulated
- Locate the outdoor equipment on the north side of the home, if possible, or in the shade
- Assure the return-air is sized to meet a 2 square-foot per ton of HVAC – A 3-ton system requires a total of 6 square feet of return grill for optimum performance
- Closing off rooms does not reduce HVAC operating costs – Make sure interior doors are open or have at least a 1-inch air gap between the floor and bottom of the door
- Replace return air filters regularly or as needed
- Remove plants and debris from the proximity of the outdoor equipment – Doing so improves necessary airflow
- Have both indoor and outdoor equipment serviced on a regular basis – Doing so maintains operational performance and efficiency
Department of Energy Federal Regional Standards effective January 1, 2015, specify new minimum standards for heating and cooling equipment. For Arkansas, package unit heat pumps must meet a 14 SEER minimum for A/C and 8.0 HSPF for H/P. Split systems must meet a 14 SEER minimum for A/C and8.2 HSPF for H/P. The higher the number, the more efficient the system. Always look for the ENERGY STAR® label.