Heat pumps are one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool a home — but they’re also one of the most misunderstood systems I worked on in 45 years in the field. They behave differently than furnaces, they have quirks in cold weather, and most homeowners don’t know what to do when something goes wrong.
In this section you’ll find practical, field-tested articles covering how heat pumps work, how to troubleshoot common problems, when to call a technician, and how to get the most efficiency out of your system year-round. Everything here comes from real experience — not guesswork.
A permit for a mini split installation can vary from state to state and county to county. I worked in a county that only required permits for plumbing and roofing. Why would I need to fork over most of a hundred dollars to a local government to have a ductless heating and cooling unit installed?…
Stuffing a mini split line set in conduit can be done if you use the right size conduit and long radius nineties. The above image shows two types of mini-split refrigeration line insulation. The black is relatively fragile and the white much stiffer and more durable. Pulling either through a conduit of any type would…
No propane or natural gas mini splits on the market yet. With the government cracking down on the Carbon Dioxide in our atmosphere I wouldn’t anticipate a fossil fuel mini split, ever. I have to say it seems sort of futile to use natural gas or propane combined to fuel a mini split for several…
Installing a mini split head on an interior wall? Here’s what to know about condensate pumps, line routing, and avoiding costly mistakes. Finding just the right place to install the components of a ductless mini split is critical to the comfort and performance of these highly efficient units. Split means they are divided into two…
No, a you don’t need to vent a mini split. Mini split or ductless systems recirculate indoor air and require no venting to or from the out of doors. Ductless Mini Splits require no venting to the out of doors. Ductless air conditioners and heat pumps circulate indoor air only, and create no exhaust fumes…
What does “split system air conditioner” mean? It means that your system has basically two parts. It’s one system split in two. An indoor unit and an outdoor unit that are connected with copper tubing, also called refrigeration lines. Split system air conditioners or heat pumps come in two basic designs. If your system is…
A little help in deciphering model numbers and understanding what a decibel really means may help when looking for sound ratings in the various models of heat pumps . It’s critical to measure like units. For example, a 14 SEER Trane with a 14 Seer Carrier. I originally wrote this article a few years ago….
Heat pump risers will help your unit live longer and run quieter.
Find the weight of your heat pump. Major brands listed by BTUs
