For those in the know, the term "heat pump" has pretty much become synonymous with "efficiency." If you're not using a heat pump to keep your home comfortable, then you're probably not keeping your home comfortable in the most efficient way possible. We live in a great climate for heat pump use, after all. We'll get into heat pump technology a bit more in the post below if you're not 100% sure what we're talking about. Don't worry.
Now, if you're wondering what's out there that can outdo even the heat pump there's always something, right? then you're looking for a ductless mini-split. Ductless HVAC systems in Asheville, NC, are very common, and it's not hard to understand why. By combining the benefits of a heat pump with a truly unique design, ductless mini splits are able to offer even more to homeowners than a standard air-source heat pump can promise. And that's saying something!
Heat Pumps Transfer Heat In Both Directions!
An air conditioning system doesn't "create" coolness. Instead, it is able to cool down an area by removing heat from that space. This is called heat transfer, and an air conditioner accomplishes it through the use of the refrigerant cycle. Refrigerant is evaporated in the indoor unit, allowing heat to be pulled out of the air. Then, that refrigerant is condensed in the outdoor unit, allowing that heat to be released outside. Heat pumps work this way in the summer, but can also reverse the process for use in the winter.
In the heating mode, heat pumps evaporate the refrigerant outside. That allows them to draw thermal energy out of the air outside. Then, they compress that refrigerant to boost its heat and condense it in the indoor units. That allows the heat pump to heat the home using the refrigerant cycle! It's incredibly efficient due to the heat transfer method used, as opposed to generating new heat.
Ductless Mini Splits Take Efficiency Further
It has to be noted that a standard air-source heat pump uses air ducts in order to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. This can be a very effective means of heat or cooled-air distribution, but ducts are also frequently the source of inefficiency. They can leak, for instance, allowing heat to get into or out of the ductwork where you don't want it to. That means you'll have to replace that heat or cool down the air again to overcome the heat gain.
There is also less control with a standard heat pump. You can use a zone control system if your HVAC equipment is compatible, but with a ductless mini-split, zone control is part of the package. Individual, wall-mounted blowers are installed in different areas of the house, and each is controlled by its own thermostat. That means that you can regulate temperatures in the bedrooms independently of rooms like the kitchen or the living room! Take greater control of your comfort while paying less for it.
Schedule your AC services with Comfort Central, Inc.