If you’ve had a heat pump for years now, you’re well aware of just how fantastic they are. They provide excellent air conditioning, and their efficiency when it comes to heating just can’t be beat.
But did you know that you could be experiencing something even better? Your old heat pump might still be working, but you could reap some amazing benefits by replacing it with a new mini split.
How Heat Pumps Work
A heat pump is like a reversible air conditioner. Refrigerant can flow in either direction, so heat can be carried out of the house in the summer and carried into the house in the winter. Their impressive efficiency as a heating system is because they transfer heat, a low-energy-use process, rather than generating it, which uses a great deal more energy.
How Mini Splits Work
Instead of a single central unit providing all the heating and cooling power, which is then distributed via ductwork, a mini split divides the refrigerant to heat and cool in separate units called air handlers. Each air handler has its own thermostat, so temperatures can be controlled individually in different zones of your home.
The Ductwork Disadvantage
While ductwork for central AC became popular around fifty years ago and continues to be useful and functional for many homes, it’s not without flaws. First, as your heated or cooled air passes through the ducts, the large surface area allows for thermal loss. By the time it gets to your vents, your heated air won’t be as warm as it was, or your conditioned air won’t be as cold.
Beyond this, ductwork is vulnerable to damage. Chewing rodents, home repair mishaps, excess air pressure from improperly sized heating or cooling systems, or even rattling from “water hammer” in nearby plumbing pipes can create issues. Even the simple passage of time causes ducts to deteriorate. Tears, cracks, or disconnected sections allow your precious air to escape.
The Mini Split Advantage
Without relying on ductwork, you won’t have to worry about those tears, gaps, or leaks causing up to 30% of your heating and cooling bill to be spent on providing climate control to places like your attic or between your walls. Instead, all that energy will go directly toward your comfort in the space you actually use.
Speaking of the space you actually use, you won’t have to keep your whole home at a single temperature with a mini split. You can maximize efficiency by only keeping the necessary zones at your ideal temperature, saving energy by using less heating or cooling in areas that aren’t currently occupied by anyone.
One more way that you’ll save energy by upgrading your old heat pump is that AC technology has had some major innovations in efficiency in the last few years. Refrigerant coils with greater thermal conductivity, variable-speed motors, and multi-phase compressors that are available now make new units significantly more efficient than your old one was even when it was brand-new.
When you’re ready to learn more, a member of our team would be delighted to answer any questions you have about mini split installation in Tucson, AZ.
Contact Picture Rocks Cooling, Heating & Plumbing today to schedule an appointment with our professionals.