Why Ductless Mini-Split Systems Can be Ideal for Any Central PA Home

Is a Ductless Mini-Split System Right For Your Home

The beauty and charm of historic and older homes in Camp Hill, Carlisle and throughout Harrisburg are hard to match. But older homes present challenges that obviously aren’t present in new construction or even homes that have been around for just a few decades. Heating and cooling historic homes is a particular challenge. When a home is built today, air conditioning is part of the plan, including space for ducts throughout, but that wasn’t the case when your historic home was built.

Here’s a look at how Zimmerman’s can create a heating and cooling system for any home.

Why Some Heating & Cooling Solutions Won’t Work

You may be tempted to pursue a traditional forced-air cooling system for your home, but that’s not always best. Often the lack of built-in space means that today’s air conditioning systems simply won’t fit. To overcome this challenge, many historic homeowners choose high-velocity air conditioners that use smaller ducts or window units and continue to rely on an existing boiler or electric baseboards for heat.

Unfortunately, high-velocity systems aren’t as efficient as you want them to be and like window units, they tend to be loud. An existing heat source may be a huge energy hog for the home but you may have thought that there was no other option than to continue to rely on it or its modern counterpart.

What Home Heating Cooling Systems Do Work?

There is a variety of solutions for all homeowners: mini-split systems have gained a lot of popularity in recent years, and rightfully so. Mini-split systems have been delivering heating and cooling for homes in the US for over 40 years. Ductless means these systems also overcome the number one challenge many homeowners face — the lack of space for ducts.

How do mini-split systems work? They include a condensing unit that is placed outdoors, typically on a pad similar to a traditional system but often much smaller. They also include indoor units that can be mounted conveniently high on a wall, ceiling, or low like a radiator, where small and revolving vents blow hot or cool air into your home.

Not only do mini-split systems offer ductless heating and cooling for homes, but they also offer a range of additional benefits, including:

- Efficiency: Inefficient systems like high velocity, window units, and baseboard electric heat all can be replaced with ductless. Mini-split systems are a vast improvement, touting much higher energy efficiency ratings than even traditional heat pumps, which means less electricity is used and you enjoy lower heating and cooling costs. Historic homes have a reputation as being expensive to heat and cool, though this isn’t necessarily the case when you utilizing mini-split systems.

- Zoning: Ductless systems can be utilized to condition a single room, or as a whole-home solution. One outdoor unit can serve as the condenser for multiple indoor units, each indoor unit can then serve as its own zone for ideal comfort for a whole family. One bedroom can be a toasty 74, while another can be a cool 65. An amazing solution to hot and cool spots throughout a home.

- Quiet: Unlike window units, mini-split systems provide extremely quiet operation inside and out so you can enjoy the comfort of your home. On a low fan speed indoor units are quieter than a refrigerator.

- Footprint: Little space is required to properly install a mini-spit system. The restriction on a modern air conditioning system is the lack of duct space, and mini-split systems respond directly to this need. Perhaps the best part of a mini-split system’s small footprint is that it doesn’t intrude on the classic structure and space of an existing home.

- Versatility: A ductless system is able to be installed in a variety of ways with many differing sizes and styles. Wall-hung units are the most popular application for many homes, but there are systems that can be installed into ceilings, and lower on the wall similar to a radiator. Some can even be paired with a traditional ducted unit to alleviate a cold bonus room or basement.

Why Have Zimmerman Install your Mini-Split System?

Where will you go for ductless heating for homes in the Harrisburg and surrounding areas? At Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, we specialize in installing ductless heat pumps to fit any home throughout Central Pennsylvania. We are passionate about sharing our expertise by providing the best possible solution for your home.

Our focus is always on how we can best meet your needs. At Zimmerman, we know that each of our clients is unique and that each home comes with unique issues. We take the time necessary to understand your needs and to recommend and deliver solutions that will truly improve your home and your ability to enjoy it. When you want a home that’s cool when you need it to be and warm when you need it to be, we can make it happen.