How Ductless Heat Pumps Are Installed & Where to Put Them
If you’ve been looking for a year round solution to your home heating and cooling frustrations, it’s likely that you’ve heard about the energy efficient, versatile power of a ductless heat pump (also known as a mini-split). There are two things that make a ductless heat pump unique: 1) they are impressively energy efficient, and 2) they provide both heating and cooling for year round use, letting you keep your Pacific Northwest home as comfortable as possible.
So the question is, where and how can a ductless heat pump be installed, and how do they work? Revival Energy Group has seen countless homeowners enjoy the versatility that a ductless heat pump provides, especially here in Portland and Vancouver.
How Does a Ductless Heat Pump Work?
After decades of relying on air conditioners and furnaces to create the conditioned air we crave at home, there is now a more efficient way to keep your living space the perfect temperature. Heat pumps deal mostly with heat (as the name suggests) in that they move heat from one place to another. In the winter, thy absorb low-level heat from outside and then pump it inside in the form of hot air. Amazingly, they can absorb outside heat even in sub-freezing temperatures!
In the summer, the process is reversed. The heat pump removes hot air from inside of a home and replaces it with cooler air. Ductless heat pumps rely on electricity for both of these processes, so there is no added expense, carbon emission, or harmful byproduct from combustion appliances.
Ductless Heat Pump Equipment
Ductless heat pump systems are composed of three basic parts:
Indoor unit
The indoor unit is usually mounted on an exterior facing wall. This is also called the air handler, since it is where the conditioned air comes from. Indoor units are discreet and are mounted without any exposed wiring or visible hoses.
Outdoor unit
The outdoor unit looks similar to a traditional air conditioner but is smaller. This is where the blower fan is housed and where the heat from outside is absorbed before being sent into the home.
Refrigerant lines
The refrigerant lines are what puts the “ductless” in ductless heat pumps. The ductwork associated with central air conditioning and heating systems is notoriously inefficient. Gaps and holes, excessively long runs, and deterioration in your ductwork can account for up to a 30% loss in energy. But with the airtight refrigerant lines of a ductless heat pump system, you can rest easy knowing that none of your conditioned air is going to waste.
Where to Install a Ductless Heat Pump
One of the additional benefits of ductless heat pumps is the uncomplicated nature of where to install them. All you really need to ask yourself is “Where do I need the bump in heating and cooling power?” If the answer is in the living room, then that’s where you’d want to have it installed! As long as there is an exterior wall, the installation experts at Revival can get you set up for energy efficient comfort no matter the time of year. And with professional installation, you can be sure your new heat pump is installed in a place that is easily accessible for any repair or maintenance. Heat pumps work especially well in those hard-to-reach, always uncomfortable rooms.
Ductless Heat Pumps for the Whole Home
Ductless heat pumps can also be used as a whole home solution for year round home comfort. Multiple indoor air handlers can be connected to a single outdoor unit, so you can use the versatile power of a ductless heat pump throughout your entire home.
If you still have questions, we may have already answered them! Check out our frequently asked questions about ductless heat pumps.
Is your home comfort in need of a Revival? Call the Portland and Vancouver experts at Revival Energy Group at
Vancouver: 360-836-5366 Portland, OR: 503-893-8243
or contact us today.