Ductless mini splits are an increasingly popular HVAC system choice for homeowners in our area. If you’ve heard the buzz about ductless mini split systems and you’re interested in learning how one would work in your home, you can give our team a call.
The one downside is that ductless mini splits in Aztec, NM may not get quite as warm as you would like in the deep of winter. However, there are some solutions to help with that. You can keep reading to learn more about ductless mini splits, including their benefits and potential downsides.
Benefits of a Ductless Mini Split
Ductless mini split HVAC systems come with a long list of benefits. One of the key benefits is that a mini split system has units installed in individual rooms of your home. This unique setup allows individuals in your family to select their own temperature settings. As long as you keep doors closed, it will be easy for each room to maintain a unique temperature apart from other rooms.
Ductless mini splits are also considered 100% energy efficient. Air does not have to channel through a network of ducts, potentially getting trapped or leaking out before reaching your home. Instead, a ductless mini split blows 100% of heated and cooled air directly into your rooms. You have the potential to save as much as 50% on your energy costs when you switch to a ductless mini split.
Potential Downsides
You do want to consider a couple of potential downsides when it comes to ductless mini split systems. The first is that homeowner maintenance is a little more extensive compared to having a central HVAC system. This is because you have to maintain multiple individual units versus one single larger unit. you have to rinse out an air filter for each mini split unit in your home, and since the filters are smaller you may have to rinse them out more often than once a month.
Mini splits operate on a heat pump setup. This means that they use refrigerant for both heating and cooling. The method of bringing heat into your home from the outside is usually highly effective and much more energy efficient compared to other heating options. However, when temperatures reach their coldest, your heat pump may struggle to bring heat into your home. This is because there is less heat in the air that can be transferred.
How to Troubleshoot
If it seems like your heat pump is struggling to keep your home warm, first, you can troubleshoot a few things on your own. Of course, you can always give us a call with your concerns and we can also check out your ductless mini split system.
There’s a chance that it simply cannot keep up with heating your home as temperatures drop. If this is the case, we can install a small add-on furnace alongside your ductless mini split system. This is a great way to enjoy the benefits of a mini split while also having a boost of heat when you need it most. Below are four things that you can troubleshoot before giving our team a call for service:
- Indoor filter – Make sure your indoor air filter is clean. If there is an airflow blockage leading into your mini split system, it will not be able to heat effectively.
- Outdoor exhaust – Airflow can also be blocked exiting the system. Check the central outdoor unit to see if it needs to be gently hosed off due to the dirt buildup.
- Refrigerant charge – Low refrigerant levels can also impact how effectively your heat pump is able to transfer heat. Of course, low refrigerant levels mean that you have a refrigerant leak somewhere that needs to be addressed ASAP.
- Reversing valve – Check the reversing valve on your mini split system to make sure it’s not stuck in cooling mode. This is a common problem with mini split systems as they age. If the reversing valve gets stuck, our team can swap it out for a new component that will get your unit working again.
Don’t waste your time with the run-around. Give the Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning team a call to schedule your appointment for heat pump service and let us do it right the first time!