Mini-Split Heat Pumps for Separate Spaces

Do you have rooms or buildings on your property that are left cold during the winter? Not only does this make spare rooms, garages and outbuildings uncomfortable, it can cause other issues. Plumbing can be vulnerable to freezing and lack of heat can lead to moisture and mold problems. Adding climate control is a solution and with ductless mini-split heat pumps, you can control temperature in your separate spaces all year round.

What is a Mini-Split Heat Pump?

Heat pumps use the outside air to bring in heat or cool the air, depending on the need. They are an energy efficient option for heating and cooling, but most are large and used with a duct system. Mini-split heat pumps are much smaller and designed to offer the same efficiency for smaller spaces. There are only two components and no ductwork – just an outside compressor and the inside unit that emits the climate-controlled air.

Mini-split heat pumps can be used in any room or building that needs separate climate control. If you have an addition to your home that was not connected to your HVAC system or a garage without conditioning, a mini-split is perfect. It has its own controls to help manage energy costs and can be used separately to keep these spaces warm during the winter and cooler during the summer. Mini-splits can also be used to add “zones” to your home to improve climate control in certain areas.

If you want to add heat or AC to a room or small space without the expensive of connecting it to your existing HVAC system, consider a mini-split heat pump. Contact your local HVAC service provider to learn if it is the right option for your unheated space.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
5950 Shiloh Road East
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 475-9555

Do You Need A Zoned HVAC System?

Not all rooms in the home heat and cool the same. Some may get hotter due sunshine hitting that side of the house, others may be well insulated within the interior of the home. These drastic changes in cooling and heating needs throughout the home make it difficult to maintain an even temperature, causing your heat pump, furnace, or central air conditioner to wor harder and energy bills to skyrocket. For homes that have these types of issues, a zoning system may be the answer. 

Would A Zoning System Work For Your Home?

A zoning system allows you to control the temperature in rooms separately, making  your home more comfortable and energy efficient. However, not all homes are in need of this type of system. Open floor plans and small, one level homes may not need to have separately controlled rooms. Some of the homes that often benefit from a zoning system include: 

  • Home with two or more stories
  • Homes with rooms that are consistently cooler or hotter than others
  • Homes with basements or levels that are underground
  • Families with members who need different temperature levels
  • Homes with rooms or areas which are rarely used 

If any of these apply to your home or family, a zoning HVAC may be worth investigating. By giving each area or room its own temperature zone, you can gain control of what you spend on cooling and heating. In addition, you can finally stabilize the temperature in rooms which get too warm or too cool. Talk to your local HVAC professional about converting your home to a zoning system and see what a difference in can make in the comfort and efficiency of your home.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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Is My Single Zone System Inferior To A Two Zone System?

Most homes in the Unites States will have either one or two HVAC systems, while some very large homes will have three or systems.  A system includes an indoor air unit as well as a condenser, which is located on the exterior of the home.  The number of systems depends upon several factors including the size of the home and the layout.  

A qualified HVAC contractor will make a series of calculations to determine the heating and cooling load on the home, while looking at the insulation, windows and doors, which factor into the heat gain and loss.  The results of these calculations, as well as the requirements of the building and mechanical code, will determine the size of the system.  Once the size is determined, the HVAC contractor will then determine if a one or two zone system will be required, based upon the load and the layout of the home.  Often, while it is possible to use a single system based upon the heating and cooling load, the layout of the home, as well as the structural design, prevents the HVAC contractor from providing heating and cooling to all parts of the house. 

The HVAC contractor will install the most efficient system in your home to meet the heating and cooling needs.  This design will be the most economical to install as well as the most economically to operate.  As a homeowner, there is not need to worry that a single zone system is inferior to a two zone system!

Multiple Thermostats for Greater Temperature Control

It is not uncommon for a home to have some areas that are cooler or warmer than others. Part of this is due to the fact that heat rises. A second story of a home will typically be warmer than the main level or the basement of a home. To overcome this inequality in temperatures from one area to another within your home, many people choose to have their heating and cooling system ‘zoned’ and a separate thermostat installed for each zone. 

With a separate thermostat located in each zone, you are no longer dependent on the temperature of just one area of the home to control the heating system for the entire house. However, if you still have only one furnace to heat the entire home, when the furnace turns on and off or the air conditioning kicks in or off still must be controlled by only one thermostat, so what do the other thermostats do? How do multiple thermostats affect the temperature control of a home that only has one heating and cooling system? 

The answer lies inside the ductwork. Dampers are place within the different zones of the ductwork. When one area is calling for more heat and a second area does not need heat, the thermostats open the dampers for the area needing heat and close them for the area that has already reached the desired temperature. Zoning your heating and cooling system with multiple thermostats to control the system can also help your system to be more energy efflicient.

Zoned heating and cooling systems are best installed during the initial installation of your residential HVAC system or during an HVAC system replacement, but they can be installed on extisting systems in many cases.  Talk to your HVAC contractor about your options.