If you have an old oil, gas, or propane heater, you may want to consider replacing it with a type of ductless HVAC system. These ductless HVAC systems are also called mini-splits, and they use electric heat pumps to heat or cool a space.
Here are seven reasons you may want to upgrade from a fossil-fuel-burning furnace to a ductless solution:
1. Heating and cooling
When you put in a ductless HVAC system, you get both heating and air conditioning. Many homes with oil, gas, or propane heating don't have central ductwork. As a result, occupants are uncomfortably hot all summer long, or their only cooling comes from window ACs or fans. With ductless systems, you can easily add AC to an older home.
2. Energy savings
Electric resistance heat pumps produce the same or more heat or air conditioning as they consume in electricity. In contrast, most oil, gas, or propane heaters consume more energy than they produce. This is inefficient, and it likely increases your energy bill.
3. Reduced carbon footprint
When you use more energy than you produce, your carbon footprint gets larger than it needs to. Additionally, the traditional options listed above produce harmful byproducts during the heating process. This increases carbon emissions.
When you use an electric heating option, you can get your electricity from a grid that relies on renewable options. Even electric companies that generate power with fossil fuels are moving away from that option.
4. The ability to use solar panels
Additionally, you could pair your electric heating and air conditioning with solar panels. That could reduce your carbon footprint even more. You can't use solar to power your oil, gas, or propane furnace.
5. More predictable pricing
Oil, gas, and propane costs are constantly fluctuating. These prices are typically assessed per gallon, and they change as frequently as fuel prices for your car. In contrast, while electricity prices fluctuate a bit, they tend to be steadier.
6. Quieter solution
Whether you're heating or cooling your home, the process is a lot quieter with a ductless system. Traditional furnaces can be extremely loud. Most outdoor heat pumps and their indoor air handling units are a lot quieter.
7. Zoned controls
When you have a traditional furnace, you just have a single thermostat for your home. That thermostat dictates the temperature for your entire home. With a ductless system, each indoor unit creates its own zone, and each zone can have its own temperature.
This means that you can set a unique temperature based on the needs of different areas of your home. For instance, a drafty bedroom may need a higher temperature than a living room with big, south-facing windows.
Keep these tips in mind when looking for air conditioning services near you.
Share