Pros and Cons: Mini-Split Heat Pumps in Southern New Hampshire Climate
SkyWalker HVAC Co-owner Ryan Walker
I wanted to write a detailed post about the pros and cons of Mini-Split Heat Pumps. They are fast becoming one of the most common installs for HVAC companies nationwide. And for good reason, they qualify for Federal Rebates up to $2000. But how well do these Mini-Split heat Pumps work in our challenging climate in Southern New Hampshire?
Today, I'm taking an honest and deep dive into how the Mini-Split Heat Pump works and what situations are best suited for installing one. Don't worry; I won't get too technical, but I want you to understand your heating and cooling options fully. Education is knowledge, and knowledge is power, so let's get you caught up on Mini-Split Heat pumps and what they are all about.
What is a Mini-Split Heat Pump and why install one in Southern New Hampshire?
Heat pumps are a technology that efficiently heats homes and even cools them! Mini-Split Heat Pumps don't use air ducts, so you don't need a ducted system running through the building. This makes them very flexible in spaces that need alternative approaches to heating and cooling.
There are various circumstances for using a Mini-Split Heat Pump, whether installing it in a new home as the go-to HVAC, changing from an old furnace or traditional heat pump, or needing additional heating and cooling for that new bonus room addition. Every space is unique, and at SkyWalker HVAC, we do heat calculations to determine what types of heating and cooling systems will work best for you.
A Mini-Split uses an outdoor unit that contains a heat pump. It is then connected to a small indoor unit that can be mounted on the ceiling, wall, or even the floor. The indoor unit can heat and cool the air in the room, and again, there is no need for ductwork.
There is a limit to how many square feet each indoor unit can efficiently heat and cool the room, so you might need additional indoor units depending on the situation. With each additional indoor unit, you may also need more outdoor units.
With many top-of-the-line Mini-Split Heat Pump manufacturers, you can have up to five indoor units on one outdoor unit. After that, you will usually need to add another outdoor unit. The outdoor units can utilize space by stacking on top of each other, creating a seamless footprint.
The good news is that no matter what space you need heated and cooled, you only have to install as much as you need. There is no minimum; you can put just one indoor Mini-Split Heat Pump in, making it a great option for a room needing additional heating and cooling outside your main HVAC system. Many old homes here in Southern New Hampshire have a space that needs some help being warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
Mini-Split Heat Pumps are more energy efficient:
Each unit can be separately controlled with Smart Thermostat technology so that you can zone each space to your liking. If you have a room used more often, you can program the temperature controls around your daily rhythms and routines. Keeping each room at specific temperatures to match its usage saves money by lowering energy usage and even prolongs the life of the Mini-Split Heat Pump System.
Compared to baseboard heating or an electric furnace, the Mini-Split Heat Pump can reduce energy costs by 70% (United States Department of Energy data).
If you have gas-powered furnaces or a boiler heater, the cost difference will vary depending on many factors, including the room's design and square footage. At SkyWalker, we can help you by doing a FREE heat calculation to determine the best heating and cooling option.
Avoid the air loss that happens in ducted systems:
In a large ducted heating system, there is often a significant amount of air loss when going through the air ducts. With a Mini-Split Heat Pump, you avoid this loss and immediately gain efficiency. Energy Star has estimated that up to 30% of an HVAC system’s energy usage is wasted when air ducts push the air throughout the building.
Another advantage is that the Mini-Split Heat Pump is an all-in-one solution for heating and cooling. You don’t need to put a separate air conditioner in the room because the Mini-Split can cool and heat simultaneously.
How a Mini-Split Heat Pump Works in Southern New Hampshire
Okay, so we have covered just how energy-efficient heat pump technology is. Let me tell you why. A heat pump has something called a refrigerant line that connects the indoor unit to the outdoor unit. Each indoor unit will need a refrigerant line run to the outdoor unit, but this refrigerant line is pretty small in diameter and is often covered in a PVC pipe.
We only need to make a small penetration in the outside wall to connect the indoor and outdoor units via the refrigerant line. This process is much less expensive than running ductwork through the whole building and doesn’t disrupt the indoor environment while installing the Mini-Split. Often, it only takes one day for us to be inside your house to hook up the indoor unit to the outdoor unit.
The room’s air is heated or cooled within the indoor unit, so again, no ductwork is needed. Mini-split heat Pumps move heat from the outside air. In theory, they use passive technology, as opposed to a furnace, which has to generate and make the heat. A Mini-Split moves the passive air, so by reversing the process, it becomes an air conditioner.
A Mini-Split Heat Pump certified with an Energy Star gives you up to three times more heat than the electric energy it uses. I know I’m getting a bit technical, but once you understand the technology, you will grasp why the Mini-Heat Pump System is fast becoming a go-to in Southern New Hampshire.
Some modern mini-splits regulate energy usage to maintain a steady temperature instead of cycling on and off to meet a thermostat’s setting. Many mini-split systems are compatible with smart devices and have smart, programmable features like seven-day scheduling, sleep mode, and target temperature and humidity ranges, improving energy efficiency.
Furnaces wait for the temperature in your home to fall below your thermostat setting, then quickly heat it up again, creating temperature swings in your home. Some heat pumps are always on, maintaining a constant, comfortable temperature without the temperature swings.
The typical lifespan of a Mini-Split Heat Pump depends on a few factors, such as the manufacturer, proper installation, and keeping up on maintenance. The top-of-the-line Mini-Split Heat Pumps can last 20 years or more, so it’s an investment that goes a long way in the design-making process of a building.
Typical Maintenance for a Mini-Split Heat Pump System in Southern New Hampshire
For the most part, the Mini-Split system is pretty maintenance-free. The most important step is staying on top of the filters inside the indoor unit. These filters on some models need to be rinsed out every few weeks. It's pretty easy to do a simple cleaning of the mesh filter. Some Mini-Split models require that you switch out the filter for a replacement every few months.
The air quality of the indoor environment depends on staying on top of the filter. It’s an easy thing that gives you better air quality and helps the Mini-Split perform at its best.
It depends on how often the unit is used, but every year or so, it’s a good idea to have a technician deep clean both the indoor and outdoor unit. This professional service keeps the outdoor unit free of debris or environmental buildup.
Mini-Split Heat Pump Systems Qualify for Rebates in Southern New Hampshire
First, with a Mini-Split Energy Star-certified system, homeowners qualify for a Federal tax credit of 30% of the project’s cost up to $2,000. This tax break comes directly off whatever money you owe in taxes.
At the state level, the Southern New Hampshire electric and natural gas utilities, in consultation with the NH Public Utilities Commission and other interested parties, offer various energy efficiency rebates. Southern New Hampshire electric and natural gas utility business customers can use their company's energy efficiency products and services.
To qualify, New Hampshire residents must be electric customers of Eversource, Liberty, New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, or Unitil and use permanent electric resistance heat as their primary heating source.
Fill out our simple REBATE FORM to see if you qualify for rebates, and we'll let you know!
We also have an in-depth article on our website explaining the NH SAVES Rebate program in detail.
If you are a Massachusetts resident, you can also qualify. Visit our REBATE page for more information about the MASS SAVES REBATE program.
What are the Disadvantages of a Mini-Split Heat Pump System in Southern New Hampshire?
With the very cold winters we have in Southern New Hampshire, some manufacturers of Mini-Split Heat Pumps don’t work as well in freezing temperatures as others. You want to make sure you install a heat pump system for cold weather. It’s essential to consider the specifics of your house before deciding what heating and cooling option is best. Often, a Mini-Split Heat Pump does well for a bonus room or to help give extra comfort to an area of the house that the primary HVAC system has a hard time heating and cooling effectively.
At SkyWalker HVAC, we can do a heat calculation to determine what will work best for your unique situation.
Cost can be a factor with a Mini-Split system. There is an investment, but if you don’t have ductwork in your house, it is often cheaper overall. If you are doing a big remodel on a large home, using a Mini-Split system can be more expensive than a traditional HVAC system. It all depends on the specifics of the building.
What a Mini-Split Heat Pump looks like:
This one is a deal-breaker for some people because they don’t want to see the indoor or outdoor units anywhere. A Gas Furnace or Boiler Heater hides in the basement and only has vents or a baseboard to transmit the heat. A Mini-Split has a unit hanging on the wall, ceiling, or floor. It is not very large but does stick out. The outdoor unit can be an eyesore for some, but there are ways to use landscaping discretely or build a box to hide the unit.
Check out the pictures to get a sense of the aesthetics.
Indoor unit picture of Mini-Split Heat Pump
Outdoor unit picture of Mini-Split Heat Pump
What Model and manufacturer of a Mini-Split Heat pump is best for Southern New Hampshire and its climate?
When choosing a Mini-Split, we provide recommendations once we evaluate your specifics through our technical heat calculations. We weigh factors such as the energy efficiency ratings of different systems. We look at the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating, the HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor) rating, efficiency and estimated cost information on an EnergyGuide label, and Energy Star certification.
Contact Debbie today at 603-554-2559 to have us evaluate your heating and cooling needs.
