One of the most popular HVAC systems today is the ductless mini-split system. This allows homeowners to retrofit both a heating and cooling system in homes that lack existing ductwork. One of the biggest concerns that homeowners have about this type of HVAC system is whether or not it’s going to drive up their annual energy bills.
How Do Ductless Mini-Split Systems Work?
Ductless mini-split systems use a heat pump to transfer heat from one location to another. In the summertime, it transfers heat from inside your home to the outdoors. In the winter, it pulls heat from the air outside and brings it into your home to warm it up.
Unlike other heating system types that use propane, heating oil, or even natural gas, ductless mini-split systems rely solely on electricity. The amount of electricity your new system uses will depend on numerous factors.
SEER Rating
SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. SEER2 is the new standard starting in 2025 that describes the operating efficiency of a particular cooling system. Those with a high SEER2 rating are the most energy efficient. The more efficient the system, the less energy it uses. Some of the most efficient ductless mini-split systems have a SEER2 rating of over 30.
Heating seasonal performance factor 2 or HSPF2 is a rating depicting a system’s heating efficiency. A higher HSPF2 rating translates to better efficiency and lower heating bills. The most energy-efficient ductless mini-split systems can have HSPF2 ratings of 8 to 14 or more.
Compressor Technology
Your ductless mini-split compressor technology can also impact its overall energy consumption. Systems with variable-speed compressor technology automatically adjust their operating capacity depending on your demands. For example, these systems will run at say 40% capacity if they’re just trying to increase the temperature in your home by one or two degrees.
However, they can switch to operating at 100% capacity if you want to increase the temperature by 10 degrees. This fluctuation in energy consumption can help to reduce energy waste and lower your utility bills throughout the year.
Local Climate
Another factor that impacts the energy consumption of a ductless mini-split system is the local climate. Those who live in a very hot region and need air conditioning for most days of the summer season are going to have higher energy bills than those who live in a milder climate where they may only need their air conditioning system on and off throughout the summer season.
The same stands to reason for cold climates during the winter season. If you live in a region with very cold weather, you’ll be relying on your heating system every day to provide you with a comfortable home environment. This leads to higher energy bills than those with a mild climate who don’t need to use their heating system daily.
Household Insulation
One commonly overlooked factor that affects the energy consumption of your new ductless mini-split system is your household’s insulation. If you have good insulation with proper sealing, the impact of the outdoor air will be very minimal on your indoor environment. This means less run time for your HVAC system.
However, if you have no or very poor insulation with many air leaks in your exterior walls, the outside temperature will significantly impact your indoor temperature. This can cause your HVAC system to run excessively to try and better control the temperature inside your home. Your windows and doors will also have the same impact as insulation when it comes to the operating efficiency of your HVAC system. The more efficient your doors and windows are, the lower your yearly utility bills.
Maintenance and Upkeep
One big factor that will impact the energy usage of your ductless mini-split system is the amount of maintenance it receives. These units require regular filter cleanings. If you fail to keep up with these cleanings, your system’s efficiency will be significantly reduced and your energy consumption will increase.
In addition, the outdoor condenser unit must remain free from debris, like leaves, snow, or any other obstructions. If you don’t clean up the area around your condenser unit, its performance will drastically reduce and your energy bills will increase as a result.
Quality of Installation
The quality of installation for your new ductless mini-split system will also have a big impact on its operating efficiency and ultimately its energy consumption. If your new system is undersized, it will run continuously in an attempt to meet your temperature demands, which will drive up your energy bills. If the system is oversized, it will short cycle and waste excess energy.
Furthermore, if the indoor air handler units are poorly placed throughout your home, it can affect the energy consumption of your entire system. For example, if the indoor air handler unit is installed in a location where it receives direct sunlight throughout the day, it can falsely read a higher indoor temperature and constantly kick on to keep your home cool.
Comparing a Mini-Split to Other HVAC Systems
When determining whether a ductless mini-split system uses a lot of energy, it’s important to understand how much energy other types of HVAC systems use so that you have a basis for comparison. When comparing a ductless mini-split to a traditional central air conditioning system, the ductless mini-split outperforms it.
The mini-split system naturally comes with zone temperature controls, as each indoor air handler unit can be set at its own desired temperature. This allows you to optimize your energy usage so that you’re only cooling the rooms you spend most of your time in. Additionally, because ductless mini-splits don’t rely on ductwork, there are no cold air losses like there are with traditional ducting. All of the cold air that your indoor air handler unit produces will directly flow into the room.
When comparing a ductless mini-split system to a traditional fuel-burning heating system, it will use more electricity. This is because the ductless mini-split system solely relies on electricity to transfer heat, while these other types of heating systems rely on burning fuel to create heat.
However, you don’t have to worry about paying for fuel bills when you buy a ductless mini-split system for your home. You’ll also get the added advantage of not having to deal with heat loss due to ductwork leaks. Most home heating systems will have an operating efficiency of between 80%-100%. Ductless mini-split systems can have efficiency ratings between 300%-400%.
Added Advantages of Ductless Mini-Split Systems
Apart from their high operating efficiency, ductless mini-splits will provide you with other advantages. Due to their high-efficiency ratings, purchasing one of these systems can make you eligible for federal tax incentives and local rebates. They provide the convenience of zone temperature control, so your home will be more comfortable for your whole family.
Expert Ductless Mini-Split Installation Service
Smedley Service offers expert ductless mini-split installation services to the Layton, UT area. We can also help with all your ductless mini-split system repair, replacement, and maintenance needs. Call our friendly office staff today to book your next service consultation.
