Ductless Heat Pumps in The Finger Lakes and Nearby

How do ductless heat pumps work?

Ductless heat pumps (ASHPs) use a refrigerant system involving a condenser and a compressor to absorb heat at one place and release it at another. During the heating season, heat is absorbed from the outside air and released inside your home. This is similar to a geothermal (or ground source heat pump) system, but instead of pulling heat from the ground, it is pulled from the air.

Even on a cold winter's day, ASHPs can effectively heat your home. In fact, ductless heat pump technology has advanced so that they can now absorb heat even when air temperatures are below zero! During the cooling season, an ASHP will take the heat from inside your home and transfer it outside.

Ductless heat pumps present an energy-efficient alternative to other heating and cooling systems. According to the Department of Energy, when heat pumps are properly installed they can deliver up to three times more heat energy than the electrical energy it consumes. This is possible because a heat pump moves heat rather than converting it from a fuel like combustion heating systems do.

Multi-Zone vs. Single-Zone

Single-zone systems are designed for a single space with one outdoor condenser matched to one indoor head. A multi-zone system will allow you to have several indoor heads connected to one outdoor condenser. The option you choose will largely depend on your home's design as well as the number of zones in your home that you would like to heat or cool. This distinction may also be referred to as "multi-head vs. single-head."

Types of heat pumps

Ductless heat pumps

Ductless systems are a type of air-source with heat pump technology that is sometimes referred to as mini-split systems or split-ductless systems. These systems come with a compressor and condenser outside the home and a small air handler unit mounted on the wall or ceiling inside. The two parts are connected by a refrigerant line and work by transferring heat rather than converting it from fuel, as combustion heating systems do.

In homes without existing ductwork, ductless systems make a great option. Ductless applications require minimal construction and are well-suited for retrofit applications. They require a non-invasive installation, needing only a three-inch hole through the wall to connect the outdoor condenser and the indoor units. Ductless heating and cooling units can be installed in home additions, new constructions, condominiums, apartments, and more, providing precise comfort to specific rooms.

Ducted air source heat pumps

Simply put, ducted systems use ductwork. If your home already has a distribution system or the home will be a new construction, you might consider this option. The condenser is located outdoors, and the indoor unit moves conditioned air into living spaces through the ductwork. These systems are very convenient and easy to install in buildings where there is a duct system already in place and it is in good shape.

Heat Pump Water Heaters

Most people think heat pumps are solely for the purpose of heating and cooling their homes. But heat pumps perform another very important function- heating the water for your house!

Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from one place to another rather than generating heat directly. To move this heat, they basically work like refrigerators but in reverse. Refrigerators pull the heat from inside and dump it into the surrounding air, whereas a heat pump water heater pulls the heat from its surroundings and dumps it into a tank to heat the water.

Benefits of Ductless Heating and Cooling:

Start saving with an ASHP

If you're interested in a ductless heat pump system for your The Finger Lakes home, Halco can help. Our experts will evaluate your home and help you determine the best system for your needs. We can design a system that allows for zoning or heating/cooling individual rooms very easily, and with high-efficiency and lower costs.

Contact us today to get an estimate on any of our heat pump services in The Finger Lakes region including Geneva, Penfield, Brockport, Hilton, Spencerport, Rochester, Ithaca, Syracuse, and nearby!