Is A Ductless Heat Pump Right For You?

You’re likely reading this because you’re thinking about going ductless. Like any big home improvement decision, there are both upsides and downsides to installing one (or multiple) of these units, so let’s talk about it!

Let’s start with the pros of this decision, and boy there are some good ones:

The big ticket item is the ease of the install. Like it says in the name, ductless heat pumps don’t need ducts. If your home is not ducted it can be much cheaper and easier to install a ductless heat pump rather than an entire duct system. And compared to a window A/C unit (ductless heat pumps do both heating AND cooling!), ductless units only require a small hole to be drilled into the wall, making them less vulnerable to both air leakage and security problems.
Energy savings is another big plus. Heat pumps work by moving existing heat energy from one area to the other instead of creating it and pushing it through ducts like other types of systems. This type of heating and cooling can be much more efficient because you aren’t losing any of your conditioned air to duct system leakage. Ducted systems can have losses of up to 30% of your conditioned air!
The zoning benefits of a ductless system are also a big plus. With independent units installed in different areas of your house, you have the opportunity to set them all to different temperatures. This is helpful both for people who have different room preferences AND for helping to save on heating bills by not heating the rooms that aren’t frequently used as much.
Lastly, a great benefit of these units is just how quiet they can be! Compared to a window A/C unit, ductless heat pumps are way quieter letting you forget they are even there. Say goodbye to the massive window unit that makes you choose between staying cool and being able to hear your favorite show by going ductless!

Now onto the cons to give you a better picture of your decision:

Going ductless can have expensive upfront costs. The cost of installation can be daunting for some budgets especially if it is for a house that already has ducting installed. You should keep in mind that over the long run ductless units are more efficient and will save you on energy bills down the line, but the upfront cost can be a deal breaker for some people. If price is the only thing holding you back from this decision then give us a call and we’ll discuss your options.
The other main disadvantage historically has been that heat pumps were recommended in areas with milder temperatures because they struggled to perform heating well under really cold conditions. In Portland, this isn’t a huge issue as we do experience milder winters but advances in modern heat pump technology have made it so this isn’t a huge issue anymore. Again, call us to learn more about the potential for heat pumps in your specific situation.

With all that in mind, we know that installing a ductless heat pump could have a lot of potential for your house! There are some specific situations that lend themselves really well to ductless like add-ons to your house that aren’t hooked up to your ducted system, wanting the flexibility of zoned heating and cooling, and giving support to a room that may have specific heating or cooling problems. If you aren’t sure what the next step is for you, be sure to give us a call and our licensed heating and cooling specialists will help you decide which heating system best suits your needs.

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