Are you thinking about installing ductless heating in Campbell County, WY? If so, you may be wondering about the differences between ducted and ductless heat pumps. Although the systems work very similarly, there are also some key differences that set a ductless heat pump apart.
You can keep reading to learn more about the unique benefits you’ll enjoy with a ductless heat pump. Of course, there are also some downsides that you need to consider before making the investment. It’s better to make an educated decision and understand both the pros and cons of both ducted and ductless heat pumps so you can decide which one is truly right for your home and family.
Ducted Heat Pumps
A ducted heat pump is most comparable to a standard central air conditioner. There is a large indoor unit that connects to a series of ductwork located in your attic or basement. There’s also an outdoor unit attached to the system. The key difference between a ducted heat pump and a central air conditioner is that a heat pump also offers the ability to heat your home in addition to cooling the air.
A heat pump’s energy efficiency is highly contingent on the attached ductwork. If ductwork is not completely airtight, then air may get lost through tiny holes and seals around joints that loosen up. With a ducted heat pump, it is important to schedule an appointment for duct cleaning and sealing at least once every 3-5 years.
You want to keep in mind that a traditional heat pump may not keep your home quite as warm as you would like when temperatures dip below freezing. The less heat that is in the air, the less heat there is available to transfer into your home. In our area, you may want to consider a cold-weather heat pump instead of a standard model.
A cold-weather heat pump has a small add-on furnace that helps to boost heating ability when temperatures are at their coldest. It’s a great way to get the best out of both worlds. You can enjoy the energy efficiency of a heat pump, as well as the added heating power of the small add-on furnace.
Ductless Heat Pumps
A ductless heat pump is also called a mini-split system. Instead of having a single large indoor unit, there are multiple smaller units dispersed throughout the rooms out of your home. The small units are installed along the ceiling and provide customized cooling for a single zone in your house. Although there is not a central indoor unit, there is a central outdoor unit. As the name implies, there is no ductwork attached to this type of system.
Ductless mini-split heat pumps are known for their impressive energy efficiency. It’s possible that you could cut your energy use by as much as 50% for heating and cooling. However, just like a standard heat pump, a ductless heat pump may struggle to heat your home as much as you would like it to during the coldest days of the year. In this case, you can install an add-on furnace, just like we talked about above.
How to Choose Between the Two
Choosing between a ducted and ductless heat pump really comes down to preference. Ductless units usually cost more upfront to install. But when you consider the potential energy savings over the life of the unit, you could easily end up spending less overall when you invest in a ductless heat pump.
One of the key selling points of a ductless heat pump is the ability to customize temperatures from room to room. If this is an important feature, it may make choosing a ductless system an easy choice. If you have additional questions about the differences between ducted and ductless heat pumps, you can give our team a call. We can answer your questions and even schedule an in-home assessment to talk to you about how each unit would be set up and how each would operate.
Schedule an appointment with the team at Climate Solutions, Inc. The trusted source for all your heating and cooling needs.