A ductless mini split with a heat pump is the perfect home climate solution for many people in our area. But if this would be a jump for you—if perhaps you’ve had window AC units, or a central system whose ductwork is now in poor condition—no doubt you have questions. One question we frequently hear is about how many air handlers one heat pump can support, and how many one home needs. Let’s consider.
What Is a Ductless Air Handler?
First, a quick refresher on the basics. A heat pump’s outdoor unit, like an air conditioner’s, houses the compressor which keeps the refrigerant moving. Coils containing refrigerant cycle into and out of the house. With a central heat pump or AC unit, there will only be one place indoors where the refrigerant lines go. But with a ductless mini split, those lines will split, each heading to a different air handler.
That air handler will be mounted on the wall, generally pretty high up, and will have its own thermostat, power, and drainage line in addition to the refrigerant coils. Your cooled or heated air will be created right there, just as the air is coming out of the vent, rather than being created in a central location and piped around the house through ducts.
What Is the Maximum Number of Air Handlers?
Some heat pump outdoor units can support a surprisingly large number of indoor air handler units, to facilitate heating and cooling a larger home. Eight is the maximum number, although most homes do not require as many as that. Four is a much more common number of air handlers to have in a moderate-sized home.
Do Some Homes Need Multiple Outdoor Units?
As you can see, a single heat pump can provide a lot of climate control. But some homes have specific needs that a single outdoor unit isn’t able to adequately provide for. One possibility, of course, is if the home is extremely large. But multiple units can sometimes be an ideal solution for homes with unusually-separated layouts, or very different heating and cooling needs in different areas.
Is a Ductless Heat Pump Right for Me?
A ductless mini split with a heat pump is the perfect way for many people to keep their homes comfortable while keeping energy use to a minimum. Here are some of the scenarios that this type of HVAC system is ideal for.
- No Ducts: If your home never had ducts, such as a home built before the 1970s, a ductless installation is quicker, less expensive, and less intrusive than adding ductwork.
- Damaged Ducts: If you haven’t had your ducts inspected in the last few years, you should do that! The average American home’s ductwork is damaged enough to let 30% of heated and cooled air escape! Ductless mini split installation in Washington, DC would be better than having all your ductwork replaced.
- Home Additions: If you’ve built an extra space onto your home, or enclosed an existing space like a garage to use as a living space or in-law apartment, a small mini split can provide separately-controlled heating and cooling just for that area.
- Prioritizing Efficiency: Between being able to adjust thermostats in different zones, heat and cool air right where it’s needed, and eliminate the worry of duct leak losses, this system is as efficient as it gets, keeping bills low and doing the planet a favor.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment or ask any questions you have about heat pumps, mini splits, or anything else about your HVAC system.