Author: Jeff O'Hara
Here in Houston, we don’t really talk about heat – heating our homes, that is. Well, not until the winter months anyway.
But, during that cooler season, having a warm home is very important to us. That’s why it’s important to have an HVAC system that can cool your home year-round – but also heat it up while your teeth are chattering.
We’re here to tell you why upgrading your heating system to a mini-split is a smart choice, particularly when you find your central heating is having problems.
These small-but-mighty home heating systems will keep you warm this winter – no matter which room in the house you’re in.
Are Mini-Splits a Good Option for Heating?
Mini-split heating units are a great option for home heating systems. Houston doesn’t require heat all that often – just a few months out of the year – but when we do, it’s important that we have an efficient system.
What’s great about a mini-split HVAC system is that they can be set up in separate rooms, giving you the flexibility to heat only certain areas of your home or space (and, in turn, save on energy costs).
But, Can They Heat a Whole House?
Yes. Because mini-split system heating works by hooking up a single outdoor unit to internal units with separate thermostats, it’s possible to customize your ductless mini-split system so that it reaches your entire house.
Whether you’re working with 400 square feet or 4000, you can customize and add numerous ‘zones’ where your heating system will pump out to (in a home, each room would be considered a zone).
How Do Mini-Splits Compare to Other Home Heating Systems?
There are four different types of home heating options that make the most sense for Houston. Here’s how they each function.
Furnaces
A furnace is simply any heat source for a particular structure. They’ve come in the form of radiators, baseboard heaters, and oil-fired radiators throughout the centuries. A furnace can use natural gas, fuel oil, electricity, wood, coal, and liquid petroleum gas to heat a home.
In fact, Trane furnaces are a reliable option; they have an exceptional efficiency rating, are stress tested to ensure they can hold up to any out-of-the-norm winter storms, and offer enhanced comfort through optimized temperature- and humidity-setting throughout your home.
Heat Pumps
A popular option in states such as Texas where we need both heating and cooling throughout the year, here’s how heat pumps work:
They use refrigerant to cool outdoor air, and metal coils to draw heat out of a cold space and move it elsewhere – generally outside. Nick’s Air Conditioning is a Trane Comfort Specialist, meaning we can supply and install Trane heat pumps.
Generally, heat pumps are more energy-efficient than furnaces, and aren’t limited to just heating.
Space Heaters
Smaller, portable units that offer a burst of heat are called space heaters – or stand-alone radiant heaters. These work to provide temporary heat in a small area, but generally can’t heat an entire room or space, and they are not meant to be used for long periods of time as they run off of electricity.
As the name suggests, space heaters are used for heating. Unlike furnaces and heat pumps, space heaters cannot heat an entire home, unless you have multiple going at once. But, not only is that inefficient, it also adds an increased fire hazard and risk of power failures.
Ductless Mini-Splits
These dual-purpose HVAC solutions are aptly described because they are a ductless heating and cooling system. Ductless mini-splits are comprised of two main units – an outdoor condenser and an indoor air handler.
Well, multiple indoor air handlers – one for each room you’ll be heating.
The great thing about ductless mini-splits that you don’t get from any other heating source above, is that you can control the temperature of individual rooms.
Are Split Systems Expensive?
One of the reasons we suggest installing a mini-split system is because they offer energy efficient home heating and cooling that can lower your annual costs. Plus, they’re customizable to your home or office setup, which means everybody can set their space to their preferred temperature.
While the initial mini-split installation cost can be higher than a traditional furnace or heating system, the long-term savings will cover that investment in no time, making installing a ductless AC a great choice. In fact, you could be saving as much as 30% on your bills with this energy-efficient heating and cooling system.
Do I Need Backup Heat with a Mini-Split?
With a high-quality mini-split heating system, you won’t need another form of heat. With a great HVAC system, like Mitsubishi for example, you won’t have to worry about a second form of heating (or cooling) throughout the year in Houston.
Upgrade your Home Heating System
Already have a mini-split heating system in your Houston home? We offer HVAC heating system tune-ups to dust off those cobwebs and make sure your system is prepared for the drop in temperature.
Otherwise, hire a professional to install your new heating solution. Nick’s AC is an expert in heating and cooling, and we can provide you with a new heating system installation.
As a Mitsubishi Diamond Certified service provider, we often recommend Mitsubishi indoor air handlers. Our Mitsubishi product guide will also give you an idea of what kinds of products we offer and can install for you.
Call Nick’s today, we’re on the way!