Do Your Ductless Heat Pumps Work?
Ductless heat pumps are becoming smaller and more efficient. Because of this, they are becoming a more popular choice for many homeowners. They do work well in certain situations, but they aren't always your best choice. This article looks at ductless heat pumps, explains their limitations, and where they work best. It should help you figure out if a ductless heat pump is right for your heating needs.
How Ductless Heat Pumps Work
Ductless heat pumps are basically just space heaters. They just need to be plugged into a power outlet. Nothing else is needed. However, they are larger, more powerful, and have bigger ranges than a basic space heater. Most pumps are wall mounted, so they can be installed anywhere in a room. There are also portable pumps that sit on a wheeled cart. These can be wheeled around the room for added range and mobility. That being said, this can be a little annoying because the pump still needs to be plugged in. So there is a often a cord strung across the middle of your room, making it awkward.
Just like central heat, ductless pumps have HEPA filtering systems and programmable settings. So you can set timers and make sure that your heat is efficient. The filtering system is nice, but not nearly as efficient as the filtering system in a centrally heated home.
Where They Work Best
Ductless pumps work best in small rooms. Since you will only have one point of heat, it can be harder to evenly heat any room. Obviously, the side of the room closest to the pump is going to be warmer. You can try to further circulate the air with small fans, but they cool down the air a bit and can be counterproductive. So you can really only rely on your ductless pump to heat one room at a time.
If you live in a small studio apartment, a pump might be strong enough to keep you warm year round. As soon as you are trying to heat multiple rooms, you need to think about investing in multiple heat pumps. This can become costly. Installing two or three ductless pumps in your home is still going to be cheaper than installing a central heating system. However, a central HVAC system will be more efficient and effective in the long term, so it might be worth considering, especially if your home is large with multiple rooms and levels.
For more information and options for heating services, contact a professional or visit websites like http://www.smedleyservice.com.