Archive for the ‘Heat Pumps’ Category

What’s the Difference Between Ducted and Ductless Heat Pumps?

Monday, November 27th, 2023
ductless-mini-split-illustration

Are you in the market for a new HVAC system and finding yourself tangled in the web of options available? There are many different choices today, and if you’re looking for heating and cooling in one system, a heat pump is a great option.

But even there, you have a choice. You’ll have to decide between looking for standard ducted heat pumps or ductless heat pumps. Let’s break down the differences and guide you towards the right choice for your home.

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Radiant Floor Heating Vs Heat Pumps: Which Is Better?

Monday, August 21st, 2023

When it comes to heating your home in Southern Vermont, VT, there are several options to consider. Two popular choices are radiant floor heating and heat pumps. Each technology offers unique advantages and considerations, making the decision between the two a matter of understanding your priorities and the specific needs of your space.

Let’s take a look at radiant floor heating vs heat pumps, comparing their features, benefits, and potential drawbacks to help you make an informed choice that aligns with your heating preferences.

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Why Do Heat Pumps Need Maintenance Twice a Year?

Monday, August 8th, 2022

HVAC-ventIf you haven’t done so already, now is the time to schedule your air conditioning maintenance appointment. This is a preventative step that homeowners need to take to guarantee that their air conditioners are able to work as efficiently and effectively as possible for as long as possible–throughout the rest of this summer and the rest of the systems’ lifespan.

Professional maintenance helps you avoid up to 85% of the repair needs your system might otherwise have, helps retain 95% of its efficiency rating, and helps your system last the expected 10-15 years.

For a standard air conditioner, we recommend maintenance tune-ups once a year. But what if you have a heat pump? Well then, we suggest maintenance twice a year, as this is a year-round system. Read on to learn more, including why biannual heat pump maintenance is so important.

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What You Need to Know About Heat Pump Maintenance

Monday, March 7th, 2022

white-question-mark-on-blue-circleIf you’ve been following our blog for a bit, then you’ve probably seen us mention maintenance before. This is because air conditioning and heating maintenance are so vital to the health and efficiency of your home comfort systems. But it’s also important to know that not all HVAC systems are created equal, and therefore may have different maintenance needs.

For instance, if you have been using a heat pump to stay warm this winter and are using this same system to cool off this spring and summer, then you need to schedule maintenance again. While more traditional central air conditioners and central furnaces only need professional maintenance once a year, a heat pump needs this service twice a year. Read on to learn why!

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Spring Projects? How About a Mini Split Heat Pump Installation?

Monday, March 9th, 2020

ductless-blowerOkay, so it may be a little early to really start thinking about spring here in Southern Vermont. Things are warmer and sunnier, but we know that a backslide into more wintery weather is never really off the table this early on—and we’ve barely even cracked the seal on mud season yet! Even so, we’re sure that you’re ready to start thinking about spring and, for many of us,  doing so means thinking about the projects that we want to accomplish.

If you’re at this stage yourself, then installing a mini split heat pump, or ductless mini split, in Southern Vermont is definitely a project that should be on your radar. Ductless mini splits have become an absolute favorite HVAC system among homeowners throughout the country, and with good reason. We’re going to dive into the benefits of ductless mini splits in the following post, but just remember—any HVAC system is only as good as the installation and ongoing services it receives. (more…)

Replacing Your Heater? Consider a Heat Pump!

Monday, February 25th, 2019

couple-by-fireChances are that you are ready for winter to be over at this point. It doesn’t matter if you like skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, etc. Sometimes, enough is enough. And for many, this winter has been enough! The good news is that the worst of the winter weather is likely behind us. That doesn’t mean that there’s not still plenty of cold weather to come before mud season gets underway, though. You need to keep your heater in the rotation for the time being.

Now, that being said, you may want to start looking forward toward a heating replacement. And if you’re thinking about replacing your heater in Woodstock, VT, then you should definitely be thinking about using a heat pump in the future. Heat pumps have come a long way over the years, and they are more viable than ever in even very cold climates. If you’re not certain how a heat pump works, or if you can really trust one to handle the cold in this part of the country, then this blog’s for you! (more…)

The Pros and Cons of Going Ductless

Monday, February 11th, 2019

ductlessThe benefits of a ductless mini-split heat pump are pretty astounding. So why are furnaces and central air conditioners still more popular in our country?

One factor is because most homes already have duct systems in place. It makes more sense economically to just keep using ducted units.

However, making the leap to ductless comes with several benefits. For the right homeowner, ductless could be what they’ve needed all along. Going ductless in Southern Vermont, VT isn’t always the perfect solution either, of course, so we’ll help you weigh it out with some of the pros and cons.

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Why Should I Choose a Ductless Mini Split System?

Monday, December 3rd, 2018

ductless-blowerWinter really got off to a strong, early start this year, didn’t it? You’ve already busted out the shovel and the ice melt, and you’ve certainly been running your heater regularly for some time now. How is your heater doing, though? Are you already starting to worry that it may not really be up to the challenge of warming your home for the rest of the winter season? Are you thinking about replacing it in the spring for any reason?

Whatever the case may be, we strongly suggest that you consider using a ductless mini split heating system in Southern Vermont. These systems, simply put, offer a lot of unique benefits that other, more standard heaters cannot. Think we’re exaggerating? Then check out today’s post! We’ll cover the way in which ductless heating systems work, and how it is that they benefit homeowners in so many different ways. If you’re ready to heat your home differently, contact us to get started!

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Ice on My Heat Pump: Should I Be Concerned?

Monday, November 19th, 2018

iciclesMaybe. We apologize for not giving a solid answer right off the bat, but the fact is that giving a solid answer would require a lot more information. The reason? There are a few different potential causes of ice developing on a heat pump. It may not always be a major issue, but it certainly can be. The fact that it may be a problem with a relatively simple solution should not lull you into a false sense of security.

When it comes to your heater in Bellows Falls, VT, you always want to know that it is functioning properly. Even “minor” issues can lead to serious problems when you experience winters as cold as ours. Heat pump technology has come a long way over the years but, like any other technology, it has its limitations. You’re going to need repairs at some point. When that time comes, you can always count on our heating technicians to get your system back on track.

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Why Consider a Ductless Heat Pump?

Friday, March 20th, 2015

The range of our temperatures in Southern Vermont can be huge: we can see summer temperatures over 80 degrees and winter temperatures of -20. It may seem impossible to find one system to handle this range of temperatures, but there is one: a heat pump. Heat pump systems can deliver air through either ducted or ductless systems, and today we’re going to talk about how a ductless heat pump system can work in your Southern Vermont home.

The Components

A heat pumps system has an outdoor unit that contains the compressor, condenser and heat pump technology, and indoor blowers that deliver the air. Each indoor blower contains a fan, a set of coils and an air filter. The blowers are about 3 feet long and can mount flush against walls or hang from ceilings. Each blower connects to the outdoor unit via a conduit drilled into an exterior wall. The conduit contains a refrigerant line, a power cord and a condensate drain pipe. A single outdoor unit can support up to 4 indoor blowers.

The Benefits of a Ductless System

One of the first benefits a ductless heat pump system offers is that it will both heat and cool your home, and it isn’t necessary to have any kind of ductwork. A second great benefit is that heat pumps do not use any kind of fossil fuel; they only use a small amount of electricity – imagine heating your Vermont home without a single oil or gas bill all winter long! This makes heat pumps very energy efficient. A third benefit is the longevity: heat pumps last an average of 20-25 years versus traditional heating systems, which last 15-20 years. Lastly, the heating and cooling heat pumps provide is very comfortable. Why? Heat pumps blow gently on a low-volume, continuous basis, so the heating and cooling feels more gentle.

Heat pumps should only be installed by experts, so if you think a heat pump may be a good choice for you Southern Vermont home, contact HB Energy Solutions today!