What Are Heat Pumps and Mini Splits?
Heat pumps are one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool a Pittsburgh home. They are all-electric, so there are no expensive fuel bills, no emissions, and no risk of carbon monoxide leaks. They can provide consistent and comfortable climate control throughout the home, and many people decide to replace their old HVAC system with them entirely.
If you’re interested in installing one of these systems into your home, there are some things you should know. Below, we discuss how they work, the type of heat pumps available for your home, and how you can get started with a local heat pump expert like MW Mechanical Services today.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps are a type of HVAC system that moves heat energy, rather than creating it. With traditional gas furnaces and boilers, energy is created by burning fuel. Heat pumps and mini splits, on the other hand, transport heat between the indoor and outdoor air to regulate home temperatures. They do this by using refrigerant and a combination of internal components like compressors and coils. Since they don’t use combustion, they’re many times more efficient, which helps you save money on your heating and cooling bills.
Unlike other types of HVAC systems, heat pumps and mini splits can both heat and cool. This makes them a very practical solution, because it eliminates the need for multiple heating and cooling appliances. They work efficiently in nearly all types of temperatures, even when it drops to zero in Pennsylvania. Some families choose to install a dual-fuel system with a heat pump and their old furnace or boiler.
Types of Heat Pump Systems
We install two types of heat pump systems in Pittsburgh homes. Your choice will depend on the layout of your home and what your heating and cooling preferences are.
Ducted Heat Pumps
Just like how furnaces and central air systems distribute air throughout the home via ductwork, so do ducted heat pumps. These types of heat pumps are an excellent option for homes with existing ductwork. If you had a forced-air furnace, for example, you could remove this appliance, install a heat pump, and utilize all the same ducts and vents throughout your home. This allows you to enjoy distributed, whole-home heating and cooling.
Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps
These types of heat pumps don’t need ductwork to heat and cool a home. They’re also called mini splits. In this type of configuration, the main heat pump is installed on the exterior of the home. Refrigerant lines run through the siding, directly to an air handler that’s mounted in a room. Each air handler has its own thermostat, allowing a homeowner to control heating and cooling in individual rooms.
Ductless mini splits are a very common choice for Pittsburgh homeowners. Many times, older homes in the area don’t have ductwork, so this is the most realistic and affordable option. Here are some options for installation:
- Install a Whole-Home System: You could install air handlers in all the main living areas of the home and replace your old heating and cooling system entirely.
- Supplement Your HVAC System: In some homes, it’s hard to consistently heat and cool all rooms, especially those on the second floor. You could install a mini split in one or two bedrooms that need a little extra help, and keep your old furnace for the rest of the home.
- Bonus Rooms and Garages: Mini splits are a great option for additions, garages, basements, and bonus rooms that may be separated from the rest of the HVAC system.
Heat Pump Maintenance and Upkeep
As with all HVAC equipment, maintenance is essential to keep the system up and running for years. Ideally, you should have two tune-up services per year; once in the spring before the cooling season, and once in the fall before the heating season.
MW Mechanical Services offers a Comfort Plan that automates maintenance so you don’t need to plan for it. Once enrolled, you’ll receive semi-annual tune-ups for your heat pump. A filter is also provided at the time of service. And unlike other HVAC companies, we don’t use the opportunity to try to upsell you parts. We use diagnostic tools that give third-party verification of performance, and we’ll only recommend repairs or maintenance that are truly necessary for your system.
Schedule Service With an MW Mechanical Services Expert Today!
Heat pump installation is different from traditional furnaces and boilers, and not all HVAC contractors have the experience to do it right. Specific training and knowledge are required to get a quality, high-performance system running in your home. MW Mechanical is proud to be Pittsburgh’s hometown heat pump expert, and we specialize in this service. We’re knowledgeable about the unique needs of local homes and are skilled at integrating these energy-efficient HVAC systems into all types of residences.