Ductless minisplit heat pumps are becoming more popular every year. They are more efficient than most air source heat pumps, and they can be used to heat and cool zones not served by a central HVAC system. The cost for minisplit systems is quite affordable.

You’ll often hear these systems referred to either as ductless or minisplit systems, or sometimes by both names.

What is a Ductless Minisplit System?

A ductless heat pump is a heating and cooling system designed to serve one to four zones rather than an entire home or business. The term “minisplit” refers to the fact that they are smaller than standard heat pump split systems that supply centralized heating and cooling.

How Does a Ductless Minisplit Heat Pump Work?

These systems work by moving heat from one location to another. In summer, they remove heat from inside the building and pump it outside. In cold weather, they capture heat outside – they can be effective until temperatures drop to about freezing – and move it indoors to heat the space.

A small condensing unit is installed outside, on the ground, the roof or in some cases attached to the side of the building. The indoor unit, sometimes called an air handler, is mounted high on a wall or on the ceiling. Refrigerant travels between the two units. The liquid captures heat inside the building when the unit is in cooling mode. It carries the heat outside, releasing it in the outdoor unit where it radiates out. This process cools the inside of the building.

For heating, the process is reversed with the use of specialized valves. The refrigerant captures heat outside, carries it indoors and releases it.

A single outside unit serves 1-4 indoor air handlers placed in different rooms or zones.

What are the Most Common Brands of Minisplit Heat Pumps?

The leading brands of ductless minisplit heat pumps are Air-Con, Friedrich, Fujitsu, Klimaire, Lennox, LG, Mitsubishi, Sanyo, Shinco and YMGI.

How Much Does a Ductless Heat Pump Cost?

Ductless minisplit heat pump systems range in size from about 6,000 BTU units that will serve up to 250 square feet to 36,000 BTU units that will serve approximately 1,500 square feet. These systems can be the most cost effective when you are installing in a small space or on a tight budget . Small, single zone ductless heat pumps cost less than $600. The largest multi-zone minisplit heat pump systems cost more than $4,000. Units with 9,000 to 18,000 capacity are most common and range in price from about $800 to $1,600.

Installation is extra and will vary based on the number of indoor air handlers as well as the complexity of the job. Expect complete costs for an installed system to range from $1,200 to $6,500.

Ductless Minisplit Heat Pumps

What is an Air Source Heat Pump?

Air source heat pumps are heating and cooling systems that draw heat out of the air and move it do a different location. They do this with the use of refrigerant, heating/cooling coils and a compressor which acts like a pump.

How Does an Air Source Heat Pump Work?

When cooling your home, the compressor sends refrigerant to the indoor coil located in the air handler. The refrigerant passes through a valve and expands into a gas, capturing heat from the air surrounding the coil. Removing the heat from the air surrounding the coil makes the coil very cold.

The refrigerant carries the heat outside through a copper refrigerant line. It enters the condensing unit where it is compressed back into a liquid, forcing the heat out of it. That heat is dissipated through the outdoor coil like heat through a radiator. The refrigerant then cycles back into the house to capture more heat.

The direction of the refrigerant is reversed when the air source heat pump is in heating mode. The refrigerant captures heat outside, carries it into the house and releases it in the inside coil, making it very hot. These heat pumps are effective until temperatures outside fall into the lower 30s.

The air handler pushes untreated air from the house over the indoor coil, which is either hot or cold depending on the mode, and distributes that treated air into your home through the ducts. The cycle continues until the thermostat indicates that the temperature has been raised or lowered to the desired level.

What are the Most Common Brands of Air Source Heat Pumps?

The brands that produce the majority of heat pumps include Aire Flo, Amana, American Standard, Armstrong, Bryant, Carrier, Coleman, Ducane, Electrolux, Goodman, Heil, Lennox, Luxaire, Maytag, Payne, Rheem, Ruud, Trane and York.

How Much Does an Air Source Heat Pump Cost?

Prices vary greatly depending on the size of the unit, how efficiently it uses electricity as determined by its SEER rating, and whether or not it provides staged or variable heating. The cheapest, smallest heat pumps cost under $1,200. The largest, most efficient heat pumps cost over $5,000. For most homes, just the heat pump will cost $2,500-$4,000.

Keep in mind that installation is extra and so are parts if needed such as an indoor coil or air handler and refrigerant lines. For a complete heat pump heating and cooling system installed, the price can range from $5,000 to over $10,000.

Air Source Heat Pumps

What Is a Window Unit Heat Pump?

A window unit heat pump is a window AC that does double duty. It cools as usual in hot weather. In cool weather, the work of the refrigerant is reversed and heat is captured outside and brought into the house.

Some window air conditioners include a heating coil similar to those used in space heaters. These units are not the same as window unit heat pumps. The heat they create is much more costly. When shopping for a unit that both cools and heats, make sure it is a window heat pump and not just an AC with a heater if you want to keep your utility bills as low as possible.

How Does a Window Heat Pump Work?

These units contain refrigerant that has the ability to capture heat, carry it somewhere else and release it. In a window unit heat pump, it travels a short distance, unlike in a central heat pump system.

When cooling, the refrigerant captures heat from the inside air and releases it in a coil at the back of the unit. The coil is not the same type of heating coil mentioned above, but more like a radiator. You’ve probably noticed the sharp, narrow fins on the back of a window air conditioner. Their role is to maximize surface area and speed up the transfer of hot air.

The technology is reversed for cooling. Heat is drawn from the outside air and released at the front of the unit where the fan blows it into the room.

What are the Most Common Brands of Window Unit Heat Pump?

The leading brands of window unit heat pumps are Amana, American Comfort, Carrier, Comfort-Aire, Crosley, Danby, DeLonghi, Friedrich, General Electric, Soleus Air and Sunpentown (SPT).

How Much Does a Window Heat Pump Cost?

The price is determined by the capacity of the heat pump – they range from about 8,000 BTU to 25,000 BTU—and the features it offers. The smallest window unit heat pumps cost $500-$700 and the largest models cost more than $2,000. Units in the popular 12,000-18,000 BTU range cost $800-$1,400.

Window Unit Heat Pumps

Swimming pool heat pumps are actually heat ‘movers’ – they do not generate heat, but move it from one location to another. With a swimming pool heat pump the device pulls warm air into the mechanism, extracts the heat energy from the air, and then transfers or ‘pumps’ this extracted heat into the water of your swimming pool.

Swimming pool heat pumps are very energy efficient: they can save you 50% of the cost of using a natural-gas system, and perhaps as much as 75% as compared to a propane-gas system! Swimming pool heat pumps are safer, more reliable, and easier to maintain and repair than traditional devices.

What would a typical installation of a swimming pool heat pump include?

• A thermostat – This will control the operation of the whole swimming pool heat pump
• An air handler – The air handler circulates the air throughout the unit
• The heat pump unit itself – responsible for the transfer of the heat from one location to another – in the case of a swimming pool heat pump, it is from the outside air to the water in your pool
• Air cleaner – This is a filtration unit that screens out pollutants as well as dirt and dust particles present in the air

Preventative maintenance on your swimming pool heat pump

• Clean off the blower fan blades with a soft, moist towel
• Check for loose hoses or wires – notify a pro if you find any
• If you have removable filters, check them regularly and clean or replace them as directed in your owner’s manual.

Be VERY careful when inspecting or cleaning around your swimming pool heat pump — it makes use of electric power and it is near a water source (your pool). ELECTROCUTION can KILL or SEVERELY INJURE anyone!

For this reason, if you suspect that your swimming pool heat pump needs servicing, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE THE UNIT YOURSELF. Most of these issues require a service call from qualified professional has the knowledge and tools to do the job properly.

The price you will pay for various swimming pool heat pumps will depend on the size of the unit you need, the type (air or ground source), the manufacturer, warranty type, as well as local labor charge rates.

It is always a good idea to get several quotes when purchasing a new unit, and certainly get a number of estimates when it comes time to service your swimming pool heat pump.

Your PC can be your greatest ally in locating dealers for purchase of your new unit – inquire if they service what they sell.

Swimming pool heat pumps: they are truly a modern engineering marvel!

Swimming Pool Heat Pump

Every time you turn on the heating and cooling system in your home, you make a decision about the environment. Some of the biggest environmental concerns, such as smog, acid rain and oil spills, are related to the use and production of energy. With this in mind, you can make a tremendous difference in the decision you make about purchases.

Choosing to purchase energy efficient appliances is a good way to reduce your contribution to environmental issues. Besides heating and cooling your home, water heating is the next largest contributor to energy consumption in the home. Whether you are in the market to replace your current water heating system or looking for the best option for a new house, carefully weigh your options based on the needs of your household and the environment.

The use of heat pump water heaters is revolutionizing how we heat water with efficient technology. A heat pump water heater is an electric system that heats water with a heat pump. This occurs by absorbing heat from the air and transferring it into the water tank.

Types of Heat Pump Water Heaters

Generally, energy usage is based on site and source. Site energy is the amount a water heater uses on a daily basis. Source is what energy generates and distributes. Most is lost through inefficient means, leaving approximately one-third that reaches your house. The advances in heat pump technology are improving efficiency. While the heat pump water heater uses air to heat water, it also dehumidifies the air. This gives you clean air and efficient usage.

There are two basic types of heat pump water heaters on the market today. An air source heat pump removes heat from the air. The geothermal heat pump uses underground soil.

Air Source Heat Pump

The air source heat pump removes heat from around your house by using a loop of pipes between the inside and outside. These pipes contain refrigerant that gets circulated outside, expanding and evaporating into a gas substance. The heat is absorbed and pumped inside the house. As this occurs, the heat is compressed, releasing the absorbed heat.

The heat transfers in the water unit. A standard water heater can work with an air source heat pump, so it might not be necessary to purchase a new unit. Air source heat pumps are efficient because they rely on existing heat, rather than generating more heat. This helps to save money in your budget and lower the amount of energy consumption in the house.

It is important to note that air source heat pumps do not work as well when temperatures drop below a certain level. Therefore, if you live in an area that experiences frequent below freezing temperature, an air source heat pump might not be the best choice.

Geothermal Heat Pump

Geothermal heat pumps are similar to air source heat pumps in usage. However, the energy source is taken from underground soil during the winter rather than from the air. This enables efficient usage of the geothermal heat pump can work year-round, regardless of outside temperatures.

A loop of pipes runs between the water heater inside your home and an outside source below ground. Water or antifreeze travels between the locations through the pipes. Heat picks up as the liquid substance travels and heats the water in your home.

You can save tremendously by using a geothermal heat pump in your home or business. However, it is more expensive to install a geothermal heat pump than an air source heat pump. Specialized labor is required for installation, which might exceed your budget.

Cost of Heat Pump Water Heaters

Many factors beyond the purchase price are essential to determine the cost of a heat pump water heater. Depending on the heat pump manufacturer, the average cost for a heat pump water heater can range from $1,000 to $1,800. You should also estimate the operating cost and life expectancy of the heater.

The purchase cost for a heat pump water heater typically includes installation and labor costs. You should request written estimates from at least three separate manufacturers before making a decision. The initial cost – regardless of manufacturer – is more than the traditional water heater systems.

However, you will realize more savings over time. On average, you could save up to 50 percent on water heating costs. This is generally dependent on the usage in your home, but can continue for the length of time you own the heat pump.

The operating costs for heat pump water heaters are also less. For example, a family of three that uses approximately 64 gallons of water per day could spend $185 per year. The life expectancy for most heat pump water heaters usually depend on the water hardness in your area and regular maintenance.

Determining if a Heat Pump Water Heater is Right for Your Home

You can determine whether a heat pump water heater is right for your home by considering several factors. These may include things such as location of the unit and the type of unit you currently have installed.

A heat pump water heater might work for your home if it is placed in the garage. You also want to determine if the garage is capable of isolating the cool air. If you currently have a standard electric water heater and are not downsizing from a larger unit, this could be a good option for energy efficiency in your home. Garage installation should provide adequate air flow to ensure the heat pump operates correctly.

Typically, a heat pump water heater works best in a garage where the average temperature is above 40 degrees. Therefore, you should also understand the weather and how temperatures fluctuate in your area.

Heat Pump Water Heater

Actually, what happened was that the heat in the metal rod was ‘transferred’ to the surrounding air. But suppose we reverse that: what if we devise a machine that would take a cold metal bar, extract the heat from the air surrounding it, and pump it into the metal. What would happen? The metal bar would get hot. This is exactly what ground source heat pumps do: they “pump” the heat – move it in a certain way. So, if ground source heat pumps work properly, they need a source of heat: either the surrounding air or — in the case of ground source heat pumps, the source of the heat is the heat from the ground or soil (we sometimes call them ‘geothermal heat pumps’).

So ground source heat pumps use the ground for heat – their ‘source’ for the heat is the ground. Other types of heat pumps (called ‘air source’ heat pumps) take heat from the air around them.

Ground source heat pumps can also be used to COOL a building – just reverse the process. It will now act like a refrigerator: ground source heat pumps take heat from inside and move it to the ground outside (even in the summer the ground is relatively cool – have you ever noticed?)

Again, the air source heat pump must move the hot air from inside to the hot air outside, and again the air source heat pump must work harder. So, whether you are trying to heat or cool a building, ground source heat pumps can usually operate more efficiently and result in a tremendous savings in utility bills.

Another great option for those using ground source heat pumps is to use it for heating hot water. Ground source heat pumps can be installed with an add-on device called a ‘desuperheater’ – this device partially heats your water. In summertime, when your air conditioner is running (and ground source heat pumps can double as air conditioners), the desuperheater will use some of the extra heat taken out by the air conditioning process to heat your hot water! So, in the summertime, your water will be heated for free!

In wintertime, part of the heating power of ground source heat pump is used to heat the water. If, in your home, your ground source heat pump operates most of the time (especially to cool things off in the summer) you can increase your efficiency and save lots of money in heating your water. Truly, ground source heat pumps are a modern miracle of engineering!

Ground Source Heat Pump

But suppose we reverse that: what if we devise a machine that would take a cold cup of coffee, extract the heat from the air surrounding it, and pump it into the coffee. What would happen? The coffee would get hot. This is exactly what geothermal heat pumps do: it “pumps” the heat – it moves it in a certain way.

So, if geothermal heat pumps are to work, they must have a source of heat: either the surrounding air or — in the case of geothermal heat pumps, the source of the heat is the heat from the ground or soil (we sometimes call them ‘ground source heat pumps‘).

Heat pumps can also be used to cool — and the most familiar example of one is right in everyone’s home: a refrigerator. It contains machinery that cools (removes heat) from the interior of the refrigerator, thereby keeping the food stored inside cool.

Some other examples of heat pumps: furnaces (some types), air conditioners, water heaters – there are even swimming pool heat pumps!

Some heat pumps are called air-source heat pumps, so called because they exploit the differential (difference) between the temperature of the air outdoors and the air temperature indoors. These heat pumps can be used to either heat or cool a building.

Geothermal Heat Pumps