What Is A Ductless Heat Pump And How Does It Work?

Written on: April 13, 2021

Heat pump units get a lot of great press these days, and for good reason: they’re a versatile and efficient year-round solution to managing the climate in your home.

But what exactly allows a ductless heat pump to do its job so well? Let’s take a look.

How A Ductless Heat Pump Works

A ductless heat pump combines the virtues of a ductless mini-split system with the benefits of a heat pump.

All mini-split system includes two components – an air handler (the indoor unit) and a condenser (the outdoor unit), connected by a thin pipe installed through an exterior wall. A single condenser can operate up to four air handlers, creating an efficient zone heating and cooling system in your home.

A ductless heat pump system works by using heat exchanger coils to move warm air from one location to another. During winter, for example, your heat pump draws warm air from outside your home to increase temperatures inside; during the summer, the heat pump reverses the process, shipping out warm air from your home.

Benefits Of A Ductless Heat Pump

Mini-split heat pumps are a big step up from portable space heaters and window A/Cs, providing economical comfort that can be targeted to specific spaces in your home. But the benefits of a mini-split heat pump aren’t limited to energy savings. Ductless heat pump systems are also:

• A breeze to install – Ductless systems can be installed quickly just about anywhere in your house, including in new home additions and rooms with no windows. All it takes is a narrow pipe to connect your indoor wall unit to your outdoor heat pump, requiring a three-inch hole through an external wall.
• Flexible to configure – Several indoor wall units can be operated from a single outdoor unit, giving you the ability to size match your system to the heating or cooling load of each room and provide a cost-efficient whole-house solution.
• Better for your breathing – Since there are no ducts in a mini-split system, harmful microorganisms and other allergens can’t grow and thrive – a big advantage for your health, especially in homes where people suffer from respiratory ailments.
• Easier on the eyes (and ears) – In addition to being whisper quiet, a mini-split won’t take away your window view, or be an eyesore in your living space. Most can be tucked on a back wall or above important sight lines in your room.

Want to keep your heating and cooling bills low while staying as comfortable as possible? Consider upgrading your space heaters and window A/Cs to a multi-function ductless mini-split heat pump system. Contact us today to learn more about ductless heat pump installations in Braintree and Plymouth, MA!