The Benefits of Mini-Split Heat Pumps for New England’s “Shoulder Seasons”

What are the shoulder seasons? New England residents know that these are the brief periods in fall and spring when the temperatures are inconsistent. Turning on a forced-air HVAC system during these times can lead to energy waste and greater discomfort. Instead, consider installing a mini split heat pump to meet your temporary heating and cooling needs.

Speedy Installation

Once you decide to add a mini split heat pump, your HVAC technician can complete the process in a matter of hours. There’s no need to install or modify ductwork since this kind of system doesn’t use ducts for air delivery. The technician will simply cut a three-inch hole to connect the indoor air handler with the outdoor compressor.

This process means you get a less intrusive installation. Your HVAC company can usually accommodate your schedule. You can make sure you’ll be home for the installation, or you can set it up for a time when your kids will still be in school. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to schedule service when both partners are home. 

Use Your Mini Split for Both Shoulder Seasons

You might want a mini split heat pump for those fall weeks when the house is chilly but not cold enough to turn on the furnace. The only alternative is to bundle up in sweaters until you feel too warm. A mini split heat pump delivers just enough warmth to heat your home without overheating your living spaces. 

While heat pumps provide heat, you can also use them to cool your living spaces. This is as simple as switching from one mode to another. When you switch to cooling, the flow of refrigerant is reversed so your system can absorb heat from inside and release it outside your home. 

Higher Energy Efficiency

Regardless of the shoulder season, you can trust that you’ll enjoy superior energy efficiency. When cooling, your unit will deliver a 28.5 SEER2 rating. When heating, it will deliver an 18 HSPF2 rating. The air handler delivers air directly into your living spaces to maximize overall efficiency.

As a smaller unit, the mini split heat pump makes its savings obvious right away. A smaller device has fewer components to operate and regulate. Fewer parts use less energy and provide faster service. 

Create Distinctive Temperature Zones

You can install multiple handlers to provide service to several rooms in the home. When one person starts to feel too warm, they can turn on their air handler to cool without worrying about how it will affect people in other rooms. This makes it easier to customize the temperature throughout the house.

Don’t Worry About Thermostats

Even with a smart thermostat, your HVAC technician will have to spend time calibrating the unit to work with your HVAC system. That’s unnecessary when it comes to hooking up your mini split heat pump. Whether you install one air handler or more, each one has its own remote control. Just grab the remote to modify the unit’s operation.

Experience Long-Term Savings

You’ll start to notice lower energy costs as soon as you start using your mini split heat pump. Those savings will mount up as you get more use out of the system. That’s because your unit will last up to 20 years with proper maintenance. Many people are eager to use their heat pumps as regularly as possible once they see how easily and efficiently they operate.

Enjoy a Longer Mini Split Lifetime

The average lifetime of a mini split heat pump is 15 to 20 years. That lifetime depends on the consistent use of the system. When you only use your unit for the shoulder seasons, you can extend the unit’s longevity. Switch to your forced-air system when that unit will provide more efficient service. This way, you can extend the lifetime of both systems.

It Is Possible to Restore Year-Round Comfort to Your Home

In a northern climate, a heat pump will lose efficiency during periods of extreme temperature variations. However, it offers a good temporary solution for the shoulder season months. Installing a mini split heat pump will give you an alternative that can help you efficiently keep your home comfortable all year long.