How A Ductless Mini Split Lowers Your Electric Bill

Ductless mini split systems are becoming increasingly popular in households looking to reduce their electric bill while maintaining comfort and efficiency. These systems offer a range of benefits over traditional HVAC systems, particularly when it comes to energy consumption and cost savings. A mini split's electric bill is going to be a welcome sight after years of using window units, or even some traditional central air systems.

I've been working with ductless mini splits for a few years now, and I have to say they are some of my favorite systems for homes and businesses. I've installed hundreds of ductless mini splits, and for good reason.

This article explores how mini splits save energy, keep your home comfortable, and provide a few other great benefits. If you have questions about a mini split for your home, give us a call or contact us online. One of our experts will be able to take a look at your home, and make a recommendation to keep your home comfortable and cozy all year long!

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How Mini Splits Save Energy

Zoned Heating and Cooling

One of the primary ways a mini split system saves energy is through zoned heating and cooling. Unlike traditional systems that heat or cool an entire house uniformly, mini splits allow you to control the temperature in individual rooms or zones independently.

One room can be 73 degrees, while another is at 68, and the rooms that aren't in use are turned off. This is going to save energy, and also help accommodate everyone in the house! Instead of fighting over the thermostat, you can adjust the temperatures around the house to make everyone happy.

So not only does zoning help improve comfort, but it will also save you energy by not treating the entire home when it's not needed.

Heat Transfer

Mini splits work on the principle of heat transfer, like heat pumps, rather than traditional heating methods like combustion of fuel. This process is inherently more efficient, as it simply moves heat rather than generating it.

In the summer, the system extracts heat from inside your home and transfers it outside, and in the winter, it works in reverse. This efficiency in operation means that a mini split doesn't use a lot of electricity compared to conventional heating and cooling systems.

Now, in the winter, your electric bill MAY go up, but you are no longer paying for oil or gas to heat your home. Your energy bills as a whole should go down!

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Sophisticated Circulation Patterns

The advanced circulation patterns of mini split systems ensure that air is distributed more evenly and efficiently throughout the room. Instead of pumping air through ducts and out of a vent, it uses a ductless head to distribute air a bit more evenly around the space.

This leads to less energy being required to maintain a comfortable temperature, further reducing the energy consumption and the associated electric bill.

Inverter Technology

Modern mini splits are equipped with inverter technology, which allows the system to adjust its power output to meet the exact requirement of the room. Unlike traditional systems that turn on and off, creating energy spikes, inverters run continuously but at varying speeds, significantly reducing energy consumption.

This technology is one of the reasons that the answer to the question, "Do mini splits save energy?" is a resounding yes. Inverter technology keeps the energy bills down, and also makes the space more comfortable!

More Mini Split Benefits

Quiet Operation

One of the notable benefits of mini splits is their quiet operation. Traditional HVAC systems often create a noticeable background noise, but mini splits, with their advanced technology, operate almost silently, contributing to a more peaceful home environment. Window AC units are a nightmare when it comes to noise as well. Mini splits are your whisper quiet HVAC solution!

Enhanced Indoor Air Quality

Mini split systems are equipped with multi-stage filtration that reduces dust, bacteria, pollen, allergens, and other particulates from the air. This feature is particularly beneficial for individuals with allergies or respiratory issues, ensuring a healthier indoor air quality. The filters are also easily replaceable and cleanable in a DIY capacity!

Better Comfort

The precise temperature control offered by mini splits is usually noticeable right away. With the ability to target specific zones, you can create a comfortable environment tailored to your personal preference without the inefficiencies and uneven temperatures common with traditional systems.

Traditional systems usually leave spaces in the home either too hot or too cold. Not the case here. Not only do mini splits save energy, but they also improve the comfort in your home!

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Mini Split Electric Bill Savings FAQ

Are mini splits tax-deductible?

In some regions, installing a mini split system can be tax-deductible as they are often considered energy-efficient upgrades. It's advisable to consult with a tax professional or look into local energy-saving incentives to see if you qualify for any deductions.

How many mini splits does it take to heat a house?

The number of mini splits required to heat a house depends on various factors, including the size of the home, climate, and insulation quality. Some mini splits can be used as supplement to a current system or you can install a multi-zone mini split design that will keep the entire space comfortable! For a whole home it's usually 3-5 zones, but a professional assessment should be able to give you an exact number.

Should I turn off my mini split at night?

Turning off your mini split at night is not necessary and can sometimes be less efficient. These systems are designed to maintain a consistent temperature efficiently. Setting a lower temperature at night instead of turning the system off entirely can result in more energy savings.

Why is the Room Above My Garage Too Hot (Or Too Cold?)

Living in a home with a room above the garage can come with unique challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining a comfortable temperature. Understanding the causes the room above your garage is hot or cold is the best way to find the solution to make it comfortable!

Many homeowners find their bedroom or living space above the garage to be uncomfortably hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. I've been fixing heating and cooling issues in homes for years, and this is a space that can often become an issue to keep comfortable.

In this article, I'll go over some of the reasons that your space may not be comfortable, and how you can fix it! If you are having HVAC issues in your home, give us a call or contact us online.

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Top Reasons a Room Above the Garage is Too Cold (Or Too Hot)

Lack of Insulation

One of the primary reasons for the extreme temperatures in a room above a garage is insufficient insulation. Insulation is what helps protect the temperature inside from the outside elements.

Garages are typically not built with the same level of insulation as the main living areas of a home, and with good reason. Garages aren't usually used as a living space, and don't need to be maintained as much as the rest of the home. This lack of insulation means that the room above can easily become hot in the summer and cold in the winter, as there is little to no barrier to protect against the outside temperatures.

Too Far From Heater

If your garage is too far from your heating or cooling system, it could also be an issue. This goes for other rooms like bedrooms and basements as well. Often, the room above the garage is located at the far end of the home's HVAC system, leading to weaker air flow and less effective temperature regulation. You should have a professional test the airflow, and make sure it's reaching every space in your home.

How Does A Heat Pump Work In Winter?

How to Fix A Room Above the Garage That’s Too Hot (Or Cold)

Baseboard Heat and Window ACs

A practical solution for a room above garage hot or cold issues is the installation of baseboard heaters and window air conditioning units. These can provide additional heating and cooling specifically for this space, allowing for more controlled and comfortable temperatures.

These aren't the best solutions, and can come with unexpected inconveniences. For example, a window AC tends to run VERY loudly, and can cool the space unevenly. Even though it's a solution, it's not exactly the best one.

More Insulation

Improving insulation is a great way to improve your temperature problems, and also save energy. Adding more insulation to the garage ceiling and the walls of the room above can significantly reduce heat transfer, keeping the room warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

It's also going to help you save money when it comes to your heating and cooling bills. If you are wasting less energy, you will spend less money on energy bills. It's as simple as that!

Ductless Mini Split

Installing a ductless mini-split system is another effective solution, and one of our favorites. A mini split can be installed and used as a supplement to your current heating and cooling system. It operates independently of your HVAC system, and won't need to hook into the ductwork.

Ductless mini splits are extremely energy efficient, operating as heat pumps to heat and cool the space. They even qualify for rebates and tax credits, depending on how efficient of a model homeowners install. If your bedroom above the garage is hot, this is a perfect solution to keep it cool, without making all that noise or running up an energy bill.

The Cost Of Ductless

Our Recommendation

For the best long-term solution, we recommend a combination of improved insulation and a ductless mini-split system. No matter what, you should make sure the insulation is keeping the space protected from the elements. If you want perfect comfort, then also install a mini split. This approach will address the reason this room is hard to keep comfortable (insulation), and gives you a solution to keep it at whatever temperature you like, without wasting energy (mini split).

Room Above the Garage Is Too Hot or Cold: FAQs

Should you insulate above your garage?

Yes, insulating above your garage is important if you have a room there. It not only helps in maintaining a comfortable temperature but also improves the overall energy efficiency of your home.

Why is the upper level of my house so hot?

The upper levels of a house, including rooms above garages, tend to be hotter due to rising heat. Additionally, if these areas are far from the central air conditioning or poorly insulated, they will retain more heat, making them uncomfortably warm.

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Installing A Ductless Heat Pump In Hendersonville, NC

When the owners of this lovely vacation home in Hendersonville called us, they wanted to upgrade the heating and cooling. They were looking to get more rentals, but to really take advantage of VRBO and Air BNB, having an updated comfort system would be key to getting the rental rates they wanted.  

When our expert team came out to the home, we knew they needed comfort, and as a rental, they also needed a way to control the comfort remotely- making sure the heat and AC were on before renters got there, and was turned off after they left- and put on standby mode, to keep the humidity under control even when it wasn’t being used. The goal was to keep the home comfortable all year long, extending the rental season. That also meant a heating and cooling system that worked efficiently, to keep energy bills and costs down to maximize return on the investment.

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Problem: Vacation rental home in Hendersonville needed more comfort, and better control of humidity!

Solution: A Mitsubishi mini split heat pump system will keep this vacation getaway comfortable throughout the year, enhancing the rental income for the owners!

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Mitsubishi Heat Pumps To The Rescue!

Mitsubishi Electric has a great range of heat pump systems with options to help get the comfort you need in any home. In a narrow home like this, the owners had existing ductwork for the top floor and a return for the bottom floor. We could take advantage of this set up and add a high-efficiency heat pump and air handler, and by adding a supply duct and return in the basement, we could make sure that floor had the comfort needed as well!

Choosing a Heat Pump

Mitsubishi heat pumps are a great choice for our area! They work well down to -13oF and up to over 100oF, meaning it can deliver both heating and cooling to the home, no matter what Mother Nature dishes out here in Hendersonville! And the systems are up to 70% more efficient in heating and up to 30% more efficient in cooling than standard solutions, which leads to incredible savings in energy bills.

The outdoor unit is low profile, and we installed it to sit up off the ground, reducing the chances for leaves and other debris to get inside the unit. In addition, the system is one of the quietest ones on the market, so it won’t disturb you if it’s located near a window, porch or patio.

Remote Control Means Big Savings

Best of all, Mitsubishi electric systems are easy to control remotely via the Kumo Cloud app. That means you can control the heating and cooling in your home from wherever you are- through a simple smart phone app- and that’s key with a rental property like this one.  

If you have renters coming and going, you’re probably going to want to make sure the home is comfortable when they arrive, and that you can adjust the settings after they leave. And especially if there’s going to be no one there for some time- you can save a lot on utility bills by making sure the HVAC system is set to save money!

Read More: How Does A Heat Pump Work In Winter?

What About Humidity?

Humidity is essentially the amount of water vapor in the air. When it’s super humid, the air can feel heavy and almost soupy- that’s all the extra water in the air. When there’s proper humidity, things feel more comfortable, and it's a healthier environment.

What you’ll notice inside your home is that when the humidity is too high, surfaces, chairs, wooden furniture and the like will all feel a little sticky. If the humidity is too high you can also set up a situation where mold and mildew can thrive, just like you see in bathrooms where there’s always a moist environment.

If it’s cold outside but the humidity is still high, things feel cold and clammy. 

Low humidity can feel more comfortable in general, but too low, and it causes its own problems. In winter when you run your heat, it tends to dry out the air. (Hot air holds more water vapor than cool air). If things get too dry, you’ll get shrinking of wood- your windows might get just enough smaller to let in a draft, for example. 

You’ll also notice that your nose and throat can dry out as well, causing you to cough, your nose to run, and it can make you more vulnerable to airborne viruses as well.

The sweet spot for home humidity is between 30- 50%.

Installing A Heat Pump In Sugar Creek

How Heat Pumps Can Help

Mitsubishi electric heat pumps use inverters to adjust the temperature when their advanced sensors detect there’s even a small change in the temperature in the room. They use just the amount of energy needed to keep the comfort steady, and by maintaining the comfort level,  you avoid big swings in temperature that end up using a lot more energy to correct. 

Heat pumps are actually better than air conditioners at removing humidity, by removing moisture from the air by condensation and sending it down a drain. Mitsubishi heat pumps also have a “dry” mode which can help control humidity, which was a big goal for these homeowners. In dry mode, the heat pump alternates between heating and cooling modes, while maintaining temperature, to draw extra moisture out of the air.  This helps you feel even more comfortable at higher temperatures - you could have the AC set for 74 degrees, and feel as comfortable as if it were set at 68, depending on the humidity in the air.  By controlling the humidity, you can use less energy and be more comfortable, all year long.

What Goes Into A Heat Pump Consultation From Blue Ridge?

Saving Energy Means Saving Money

If you have a rental property like this one in Hendersonville, you want to keep your expenses as low as possible. By adding a Mitsubishi heat pump, the owners got increased comfort for their guests, while adding a high-efficiency system that costs less than their old system to operate, each and every month. Add in rebates and the tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act which can be as much as $2,000 when used to upgrade old systems to high-efficiency systems like this one, and the homeowners can save even more money!

Between increased efficiency and remote monitoring and operation of the system, these property owners are on track to have one of their best years yet with this rental property.

If you own a home or rental property and want to learn more about how you could be saving money each month on your energy bills, give us a call here at Blue Ridge Heating and Air.  Our expert team can design the perfect system for your home and budget, so you get the comfort you crave along with smaller energy bills, each and every month of the year!

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