How Does a Ductless Heat Pump Work?

Understanding How Mini-Splits Heat & Cool Your House

You might have noticed some of your friends and neighbors have installed ductless heat pumps as an alternative to central air A/C. Families all over eastern Pennsylvania and central Delmarva are experiencing the comfort of ductless heat pumps, often referred to as “mini-splits”. They offer an all-in-one heating and cooling solution.

Let’s break down how ductless heat pumps work and why they’re gaining in popularity.

How Do Ductless Heat Pumps Keep You Comfortable?

Ductless heat pumps are composed of an air handler—the part inside your home—and a condenser, which is outside. A thin pipe through an exterior wall connects these components.

This ductless system uses heat exchanger coils to move warm air between the inside and outside your home. The heat pump captures heat inside your home in the summer and expels it outside. In the winter, the process reverses, and it draws warm air inside. A single condenser can operate up to four air handlers. This creates a lot of temperature control with minimal equipment!

Is a Ductless System Right for Your Home?

If you’re currently relying on window A/C units during the summer or space heaters in winter, a ductless heat pump system can be your all-in-one solution.

Here are some additional benefits of ductless heat pump systems:

• Easy to Install — From older homes without ductwork to new construction, ductless heat pumps can fit just about anywhere. You only need exterior wall space for a three-inch hole to run the pipe. Then you’re ready to roll!
• Incredible Flexibility — Since multiple indoor handlers can work off a single outdoor condenser, you can customize your mini-split system in the most energy-efficient and cost-effective way for your house.
• Great for Indoor Air Quality — Since you aren’t relying on ductwork with a mini-split system, there’s less ability for microorganisms, dust, debris, and other allergens to thrive and circulate in your home.
• Barely Seen or Heard — Ductless heat pumps run incredibly quietly and won’t take away the view from your window. In fact, most can be situated high on a back wall, totally out of sight.

Even if you have a central air conditioning system for most of your home, a ductless mini-split can provide excellent supplemental heating and cooling for difficult-to-reach areas like:

• New additions, like sunrooms and guestrooms
• Cellars and attics
• Garages

Interested in seeing if a ductless heat pump is right for your home? Contact Poore’s Propane and Oil to set up an appointment to discuss your ideal HVAC solution. *

*Services available for customers within our Delaware HVAC service territory only.