The Advantages of ENERGY STAR Certified Ductless Heat Pumps
“Ductless” mini-split heat pumps, which have been around for a while in Europe and Asia, vary from conventional house heating and cooling systems by: using a heat pump to deliver heating and cooling simultaneously.
For many years, heat pumps have been employed, mostly in temperatures in the South.
Do not use ductwork. Ductless mini-split heat pumps employ an indoor unit coupled to an outside unit in place of cumbersome, difficult-to-install ducting. Through refrigeration lines (which only need a three-inch hole in an outdoor wall for installation). One outdoor unit can be connected to up to 8 indoor units enabling various climates in each room.
Each indoor unit may deliver personalized heating and cool to each conditioned space, which is controllable via wall consoles, remotes, and smartphone apps.
reducing the cost of heating by 50% in comparison to traditional electric heating systems. Ductless mini-split heat pumps with the ENERGY STAR certification consume 60% less energy than conventional house electric resistance-based heating systems since they transfer heat rather than produce it.
reducing cooling expenses from traditional room air conditioners by 30%.
Ductless mini-split heat pumps that are ENERGY STAR certified have more advanced compressors and fans with speed-adjustable motors.
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) web database identifies ductless mini split heat pump models that have received the ENERGY STAR (link is external). (To view a list, use the “Yes” checkbox under the “Labeled ENERGY STAR” search criteria.)
Typical Uses for Ductless Heat Pumps
Ductless mini-split heat pumps are being used more frequently in the following circumstances:
Homes with expensive electric heat, such as electric radiant baseboards, wall heaters, and furnaces, will also benefit from cooling.
older houses without ductwork that have never had central air conditioning, such as those with radiators or baseboard heat.
homes with costly central heating systems because of high fuel costs or inefficient systems.
extensions or outbuildings (such as a shed, barn, or garage) when it is not practical to expand the ducting or cooling/heating capacity.
spaces that aren’t frequently used (indoor units can be turned off to save money).
places where ductwork would be exposed to colder temperatures next to unconditioned spaces (e.g., a guest room above a garage).
new housing buildings in locations with high fuel prices.
older business structures without ductwork for extensions or air conditioning.
Additional Developments: Alternative Indoor Units and Cold Climate Heating
In the past, people were concerned about how well heat pumps worked to keep people warm in chilly climes. The heat pump has to work harder and harder to extract heat from the external air as the temperature drops. Modern heat pumps can function better in cold temperatures because they use sophisticated compressors and refrigerants. If this is a problem, seek ENERGY STAR models with a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) of over 12.0 BTU/Wh4 or check out the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership’s list of ductless mini-split heat pumps(link is external) made to function in colder locations (NEEP).
The appearance of the comparatively large interior floor or wall-mounted units could be another issue. Consumers in the United States, who are used to having their heating and cooling provided by barely perceptible vents in walls and ceilings, occasionally find the appearance of interior walls or floor-mounted units unpleasant. For a style that some American homeowners like, ductless system manufacturers, provide ceiling-recessed and short-run horizontal, duct-based air handlers.
Available Utility Incentives
Depending on the system being replaced, some regional utilities will offer refunds of up to $1,000 per unit for ductless heating and cooling systems that are ENERGY STAR certified. Here is a list of the readily available rebates.
Like an air conditioner, a heat pump moves heat from your house to the outside during the summer using a refrigeration cycle. In the winter, a heat pump brings heat from the outdoors into your house by running the refrigeration cycle backward.
An air handler known as an indoor unit 2 circulates room air across refrigerant coils.
An outside unit’s compressor is in charge of maintaining the temperature of the coils.
Efficiency Maine needs single-head units with a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) of over 12.0 BTU/Wh and has installed over 10,000 ductless mini-split heat pumps to provide heat during tough winters and has discovered that they function incredibly well!