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Ductless Heat Pump vs. Space Heater: Which Is the Better Choice?

Heat Pump Vs. Space Heater: The Better Choice

When you want to supplement the heating system in your Hope Mills, North Carolina, home, you can typically choose between a ductless heat pump and a space heater. While both provide heat when you need it the most, these two options offer very different solutions. Find out whether a ductless heat pump or a space heater is better for comfort, energy efficiency and safety.

Comfort Level

If you’re concerned about comfort level and coziness during the winter months, you’ll want to skip the space heater. These units provide minimal heat in limited areas, so you’d have to gather around the space heater to warm up.

In contrast, ductless heat pumps are designed to cool entire rooms. That means you can rely on a single system to warm the whole family on movie night or keep you cozy while you sleep. Some systems, like the Infinity Ductless Multi-Zone Heat Pump , can heat multiple rooms with a single outdoor unit. When you want to warm up an entire level of your home, multi-zone systems are a smart choice.

Energy Efficiency

When it comes to energy efficiency, space heaters typically fall flat. They may be able to heat a few square feet for a few hours a day without causing your electric bill to skyrocket. However, if you plug in several throughout your home and plan to use them throughout the winter, you can expect energy bills to skyrocket.

In contrast, many mini-splits are designed for efficiency. Some have heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) ratings of 10 and above.

Models like the Performance Ductless Heat Pump feature a variable-speed compressor to achieve optimal efficiency while still keeping you warm. This system also has a timed start and stop feature, so you can program it to heat the room only when necessary.

Indoor Air Quality

Most space heaters are designed to perform one task: heat a defined area. They won’t tackle indoor air quality issues. Actually they can make some problems worse.

In contrast, ductless heat pumps usually have several features designed to improve indoor air quality . Most have washable air filters that can remove dust, pollen, pet dander and other airborne pollutants.

You’ll need to wash and replace these filters regularly to ensure they continue to clear the air. In addition, some ductless heat pumps have dehumidifiers that pull excess moisture from the air to enhance their heating or cooling powers.

Ease of Installation

Space heaters are remarkably easy to install , since you’ll simply need to plug them in and turn them on. However, ductless heat pumps are also relatively easy to install, especially when compared to ducted HVAC equipment like air conditioners and furnaces.

To install a ductless heat pump, the Bass Air Conditioning Company team first positions the outdoor and indoor units. Then, we’ll create a small hole in the exterior wall, where we’ll place the conduit that connects the two units.

Placement options tend to be flexible for ductless systems. We can easily find something that works for every family and home.

Safety Factor

When it comes to safety, there’s really no comparison. Ductless heat pumps are just as safe as any HVAC system.

In contrast, space heaters are known for being fire hazards. In fact, they cause over 25,000 house fires , 6,000 severe burns and 300 deaths each year. Injuries commonly result from space heaters contacting flammable surfaces in your home, overloading circuits, and harming children and pets. To keep your family and your home safe, your best bet is to avoid space heaters.

Cooling Capability

While space heaters can only heat, ductless heat pumps can also cool your home. Just like standard heat pumps, these systems can easily switch from heating to cooling mode when the weather changes. That makes mini-splits great year-round investments for both your electric bill and your family’s comfort and safety.

Interested in upgrading your heating system to a new energy-efficient unit? Call the heating and cooling experts at Bass Air Conditioning Company today at (910) 909-4535 to learn more about our state-of-the-art options.

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