You and your family are finally decided on buying a ductless heat pump for your home. But how much does a ductless heat pump cost? And what features should you look out for to get the best one?
Here’s an easy buying guide you can follow when purchasing the ideal ductless mini-split, for any season.
Table of Contents
Ductless Heat Pump Buying Guide
Energy Consumption/ Efficiency
Before anything else, be in the know of how much energy a ductless heat pump utilises. Although most such machines are already much more energy-efficient than their traditional HVAC cousins, each one still varies in how much they actually consume. Learn more about choosing the right heat type for your PTAC here.
The cooling efficiency of ductless air conditioners is determined through the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER. Its requirements vary according to location, as dictated by the federal minimum standard.
For areas in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Northeast, and the Mountain States, a 13 SEER number is recommended. The rest of the country can follow a 14 SEER minimum.
When it comes to heating efficiency, the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor or HSPF is the SEER’s alternate. All units are recommended to follow a rating of 7.7 in all states.
Another essential tip to note is that a higher SEER score is better in warmer temperatures. As for cooler temperatures, a higher HSPF is preferable.
Climate And Perennial Climate Changes
If you reside in a location where climate and temperatures seesaw sporadically, or widely and in between extremes, a ductless heat pump is definitely what your home will need. According to experts, they can work optimally above 25 degrees Fahrenheit, to a maximum of 35 to 39 degrees.
Overall Size
Ductless heat pumps are generally small in size because they do not contain duct systems. However, the efficiency of this device is reliant on the structure of your home itself. Guidelines based on the Air Conditioning Contractors of America Manual make for an easier rundown when finding the most suitable heat pump.
In order to do this with accuracy and safety, it’s wisest to get in touch with professionals in the matter. They will be able to calculate on the basis of various types of home foundations, insulation values per room and/or per geographical zone, window numbers and sizes, wall material and thickness, and more.
Revamping Your Home’s Insulating System
It might not be so efficient to switch to a ductless heat pump just for a single room in your home. You will have to consider changing the rest of your old HVAC’s, too.
This is because the wiring of a ductless framework is very specialized compared to that of regular ACs. Inputting one amidst the rest (which have regular circuits), may cause unwanted oscillations in the entire house’s wiring network.
Don’t worry. If you don’t have the funds to do so in a heartbeat, you can ask your heating and cooling contractor to accomplish this in a staggered manner. The living room this month. A bedroom after a month or two, etcetera.
While you’re at it, let your contractor check the insulation in areas like the attic and basement. They may not be used as much as the rest as the rooms in your abode. But they greatly affect the insulation in the rest of the spaces around them.
