Cold comfort in northern zones
Once considered appropriate only for warm climates, heat pumps are gradually creeping northward. A feature in the Boston Globe, for instance, touted a ductless heat pump as an environmentally friendly option for folks living off the grid in New England. Technical improvements such as inverter technology have made mini-split ductless heat pumps viable for most areas of the country.
Gree’s Infinity technology has produced a heat pump that gives 80% heating capacity at -20 degree fahrenheit. Unless you’re living in the far reaches of Canada, that should keep the dog warm at night.
But maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves. A ductless mini-split heat pump basically transfers heat to where it’s needed— or removes it in the case of air conditioning. It uses electricity to achieve the transfer, but in such small quantities that it’s more cost-effective than other energy sources such as oil or propane.
Lower purchase price
More good news for the homeowner: These babies have been coming down in price since DOE proclaimed their higher installation price could be offset by lower operating costs. A year ago, a story in the Boston Globe article warned that a homeowner might pay $3,000-4,000 for one unit, and cited a man whose home required three units for a total price of $12,800. According to our sources, those prices might be out of date. For instance, the 9,000 BTU Gree Crown Ductless Mini-split heat pump, one of the better ones, sells for $1,325. For more information, check it out: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUGRND_CGEA].
HVAC for Beginners offers this assessment of the Gree: ‘These heat pumps feature inverter drive compressors and offer different filtering options. The multi-split units can serve up to five indoor units and the brand is backed by a good warranty.’
If price is still an issue, it’s worth a call to your utility; many power companies offer rebates or financial incentives. (Do this soon: incentives may expire before the end of the calendar year.)
Operating costs are the big plus— or minus. The Gree Crown unit costs a paltry $78 per year to cool a 300- 350-square-foot space (an estimate that can vary depending on utility rates and your habits). However, units are installed only in rooms that need it, and each unit is controlled by a separate thermostat. So you don’t end up heating or cooling a lot of unoccupied air space.
Other considerations.You will need a certified contractor. Be sure to hire a contractor who’s familiar with your brand of ductless mini-split heat pumps. One customer survey showed a poor rating for Goodman but HVAC experts speculate that the complaints were due to weak training and support for the installers. And while noise usually shows up at the top of the complaint chart, Gree is proud of its quiet (softer than a whisper) operation as well as smart-remote features.
And did we mention that purchase price is coming down while energy— in spite of recent declines due to recessionary global influences— will resume its inexorable march upward? In addition to the fact that you don’t need ductwork, miniscule operating costs alone are winning fans across the country.