Understanding Heat Pump Split Systems

No ductwork in your home? No problem!

We all like having choices, especially when it comes to how we keep ourselves and our loved ones comfortable. At JW Pierson Co., we want all our customers to feel they can choose a heating and cooling system that matches their home, their comfort needs and their budget.

If your northern New Jersey home has no ductwork, you may feel like your summer cooling options are limited to window air conditioners. We have a more efficient and convenient alternative, though: a heat pump split system.

How do heat pumps differ from other HVAC equipment?

The JW Pierson team has a lot of experience with traditional HVAC equipment. By that, we mean heating systems like boilers (which transfer steam or hot water to radiators and baseboards) and furnaces (which heat air and push it through ductwork). We also mean central air conditioning systems that use ductwork to distribute cool air.

In most homes with “forced air” HVAC equipment, the furnace and central air conditioning system share the same ductwork. But boilers use your pipes, not ducts. So, homes with boilers often lack the ductwork needed for central A /C.

A heat pump split system is advantageous for these kinds of homes. They provide efficient, long-term climate control without ducts.

Unlike a furnace or boiler, a heat pump does not generate heat; it transfers heat between the inside and outside of your home. During the summer, a heat pump removes warm air from your rooms and expels the heat outdoors, effectively cooling your home. In the winter, the system operates in reverse, extracting heat from the outside and bringing it indoors.

How do heat pump splits work without ductwork?

These systems — which you may sometimes hear called ductless mini-splits — consist of an outdoor compressor/condenser unit and several indoor air handling units. These units are connected with slim pipes running through your walls.

What are the pros and cons of a heat pump?

If you are currently relying on a boiler in the winter and window A/C units all summer, making the leap to a heat pump split system can yield some significant benefits:

1. No more lugging heavy A/C units in and out of your windows each year.
2. You can use a heat pump system for supplemental heat in the fall and early winter.
3. These systems offer significant efficiencies. Each indoor air handler runs independently, allowing you to save money by only running them in occupied spaces. This is called zoned heating and cooling.
4. You’ll also enjoy efficiency from a system that doesn’t experience duct losses because of leaky ductwork.
5. Ductless mini-splits will free you from ugly window units sticking out of your home and blocking your sunlight. The indoor equipment is sleek, discreet and quiet.
6. Installation typically only takes a day, far less time than installing ductwork.
7. When properly maintained, a heat pump split system can last 20 years or more.

That said, there are drawbacks to a heat pump system, especially when it comes to the heating functionality. These systems are known to struggle during periods of extended freezing temperatures. Consequently, many homeowners choose to hold onto their traditional heating equipment as a backup heating source for the coldest days of winter.

Come to JW Pierson with your heat pump questions.

If you’re interested in exploring your heat pump options in Nutley or elsewhere in Essex, Passaic, Union and Bergen Counties, talk to the dedicated HVAC team at JW Pierson Co. We sell and install ductless systems from industry leader Fujitsu. We can work closely with you to pick the best product for your home and install it right away.

Get in touch with us for a free estimate on a heat pump split system.