Heat pumps are similar to central ACs but provide both heating and cooling. They distribute that conditioned air throughout a home via ductwork. A mini-split is a type of heat pump or AC that doesn’t have centralized equipment. Mini-splits have an outdoor unit that feeds one or more indoor units that cool dedicated zones. Let’s explore which of these approaches is best for your home.
Home Additions
One consideration is whether you’re choosing a system as a primary or secondary solution. Mini-splits allow for more installation flexibility, which makes them a great choice for home additions. It’s much easier and more cost-effective to install a dedicated system for a home addition than to extend the existing central HVAC system. Mini-splits are also ideal for finished basements and attics, attached and disconnected garages, and satellite buildings.
Inherent Zone Control
An advantage to mini-splits is that they’re inherently zoned. You’ll have a dedicated cooling system for each zone in the home. You don’t have to run all the units all the time. Households can also have different settings for various areas, including bedrooms and kitchens. The Department of Energy estimates that zoned systems reduce annual cooling and heating costs by 30% over non-zoned configurations.
It is possible to zone a central heat pump. That said, it requires additional equipment, such as a variable-speed blower and duct dampers. Those additions can increase your costs considerably. Mini-splits are convenient enough in this area to be an option as a central HVAC add-on. It lets you, for instance, maintain cool bedroom temperatures without overly cooling the rest of the home overnight.
Larger Homes and Equipment Costs
Mini-splits generally require a higher initial investment. That’s because there’s more equipment and labor involved. A central heat pump has one blower, evaporator coil, and drain line. A mini-split has a blower, coil, and drain line in every indoor unit. The installer also has to calibrate more thermostats, blowers, drainage systems, and so forth. The typical mini-split has between two and four zones. Costs can rise dramatically in larger homes that need more than that. Another consideration is the typical soft limit of eight heads. More heads are possible, but it often means installing multiple outdoor compressor units in a series.
Older Homes Without Ducts
If you have an older home, it may not have ductwork. In that case, mini-split installation may be more practical from a cost perspective. Designing and installing a new duct network can be expensive and time-consuming. There can also be additional costs if the home doesn’t easily accommodate them. This is a common problem with older homes because contractors simply didn’t build the attics and other spaces with ducts in mind.
Efficiency Ratings and Energy Incentives
Mini-splits offer some of the highest energy-efficiency ratings available. A higher rating will result in a smaller environmental impact and lower electricity bills. One reason mini-splits are more efficient is inherent zoning, and another is the lack of ductwork. The Department of Energy estimates that the average duct system can leak between 20% and 40% of its conditioned air. That’s a significant amount of loss that isn’t a concern with mini-splits.
Because of these higher ratings, most mini-splits earn ENERGY STAR certification. That’s the key criteria for rebates, tax credits, and other incentives that can significantly lower your initial costs. There are heat pumps with the ENERGY STAR label. Still, they tend to be high-efficiency systems that cost more than a standard unit.
Maintenance
All cooling systems require an annual tune-up in spring. Central heat pump maintenance will typically be cheaper and less involved. That’s because there’s less equipment. A technician only has to clean one evaporator coil, for instance, rather than several or more. Still, there are concerns with a heat pump that you won’t have with a mini-split. You should, for example, schedule a duct inspection every couple of years and duct cleaning and sealing as needed.
Air Quality
A ducted system has the potential to deliver better air quality. Choose a system that supports MERV-13 filters. Check and replace your filters regularly. Also, schedule annual tune-ups and professional duct cleaning every several years.
Heat Pump and Mini-Split Installation in Greater Sarasota
AirNow Air Conditioning is located in Sarasota, FL, and we’ve served this area since 1946. We employ NATE-certified technicians who install heat pumps and mini-splits to all manufacturer warranty requirements. Our systems come with industry-leading warranties, and we stand behind our work with a series of guarantees. Call today or contact us online to schedule an in-home installation consultation.
