When it comes to getting high-quality heat in your home, using a ductless system is a great way to add supplemental heating. However, if you’re considering making ductless heat pumps your primary heating source, you’re probably wondering if ductless heating systems are efficient in cold climates. Below, we’ll explain how ductless mini splits provide high-quality heating even in cold temperatures.
How Ductless Heating Works
Ductless heat pumps work by pulling the warm air from outside into the outdoor condenser unit and using heat exchanger coils to move the warm air to where it’s needed. The air is pumped through thin lines, so there is minimal heat loss between the home’s condenser and the air handler. This process is very energy efficient and does not take much energy to run each mini-split heating unit.
Additionally, all of the mini-split heating units can easily reverse the process to provide air conditioning in the summer. When a ductless mini-split works as an air conditioning system, it draws in the warm air inside the home and pumps it outside to keep your home cool.
What is the Most Efficient Heating System for Cold Climates?
For a long time, furnaces have been the best for heating homes in cold climates. Natural gas furnaces are still considered one of the best ways to heat your home in the coldest climates. However, recent advances in technology have made heat pumps more energy efficient and capable of keeping houses warm in colder climates.
An HVAC heating system is ranked using the seasonal energy efficiency ratio or “SEER” rating. A good SEER rating is anything above 15 SEER. Most traditional heating systems are around 16 SEER. Ductless mini-split heat pumps range from 15 SEER to ratings in the 20s and 30s. These highly efficient ratings will help save hundreds on energy bills throughout the winter. However, higher SEER ratings mean a bigger price tag for ductless heat pumps, so talk to a comfort specialist about what’s best for you.
Benefits of Ductless in Colder Climates
Ductless mini-splits provide a variety of benefits that make them ideal for homes in colder climates. They are more energy-efficient than other heating systems, which means they cost less to operate. Additionally, depending on the SEER rating, they can provide savings of up to 40% or more on your heating bills.
Ductless heat pumps improve the air quality in your home, which can reduce the risk of respiratory disease, asthma symptoms, and more. Ductless heating systems are functional in cold climates, and some systems work efficiently in temperatures as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit.
A mini-split heating system is easy to install and does not require a lot of renovations to get set up. Instead, the mini-split heat pumps can be installed anywhere with minimal alterations to the home.
Additionally, ductless heat pumps function efficiently as supplemental or a complete air conditioning system. Upgrading your home with these types of heat pumps offers heating and cooling throughout the year, adding value to your home.
How Much Does a Cold Climate Heat Pump Cost?
The cost of adding ductless mini-splits to your home will vary depending on the type of units you need and the amount of space you need to heat. In general, installing a ductless heat pump system in your home will cost around $6,000 to $12,000.
However, this price and change significantly depending on the scope of the installation. If you have a large home that needs multiple zones of heating, the price will likely increase. Similarly, if you are looking for a higher SEER rating for your home’s heating system, that can increase the cost.
How Efficient are Mini Splits in Cold Weather?
Because of the design of ductless heat pumps, they are highly efficient in cold weather. For some types of ductless mini-splits, the efficiency will decrease once temperatures reach below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some systems are fully functional to temperatures much lower, so you can continue to enjoy perfectly comfortable heat no matter what the weather is like.
It is Time for a Ductless Heat Pump?
If you’re still not sure if a ductless heating system is right for your home, give us a call! Our comfort specialists will be able to answer any of your questions, help you decide on the perfect options for your space, and give you an estimate for your project. There’s no reason to spend another winter shivering, when you can upgrade your home to ductless heating and save money while getting the comfort you deserve.