Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps for an Apartment
Click on the ‘hot spots’ in the interactive image below to learn more about your home’s recommended heat pump plan with videos, photos, and more. Then, scroll down to view benefits, key considerations, cost information, and questions for your contractor.
Flexible Design
Health & Safety
2-in-1 Heating & Cooling
Zoned Temperature Control
Air Seal and Insulate
Affordable, Clean Heating
Affordable, Clean Heating
Unlike many fossil fuel heating systems or even electric baseboard heat, cold-climate air source heat pumps are a super-efficient technology that can save you money on your monthly heating bills.
Instead of wasting energy (and money) up the chimney by burning fuel like a conventional furnace or boiler does, cold-climate air source heat pumps work by tranferring energy from the outside air, transforming it into warm air, and delivering it to your indoor space. During the hot summer months, this process is reversed to remove heat from your home and cool your interior space.
Cold-climate air source heat pumps work extremely well across New York State — even in the coldest areas of upstate. In fact, there are already thousands of homes throughout the State that rely solely on cold-climate air source heat pumps to save money, reduce the use of fossil fuels, and get through our harsh winters in comfort.
Zoned Temperature Control, Without Ductwork
With ductless “heads,” you can set up each zone in your home with its own highly efficient (and exceptionally quiet) heating and cooling system, and each unit can operate on its own thermostat, giving you zoned temperature control throughout your home.
Reduced Health and Safety Risks
Heat pumps can help you improve the health and safety of your home and family.
Since heat pumps don’t directly burn fossil fuels to keep you warm, they minimize the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be difficult to predict and detect. Heat pumps can also improve the overall indoor air quality of your home by better managing humidity in the air and filtering out dust and other allergens when filtration is added.
When you switch to a heat pump system for your home, you and your family can breathe easy — literally.
Flexible Design for Your Apartment
Ductless heat pumps offer a level of flexibility that is unmatched by other heating and cooling systems. That is because ductless heat pump designs are not limited by the existing ductwork pattern — or lack thereof — and offer a variety of options for design and placement of the indoor ductless heads.
When designing your ductless heat pump system, your contractor will work with you to match your aesthetic preferences in addition to helping you choose a system that will meet all your heating and cooling needs. For example:
- Low-wall or floor-mounted units can be installed where radiators once were
- High-wall units are the most common, versatile, and least expensive option
- Recessed units can be installed to be flush with your walls or ceilings
- Some manufacturers even offer multiple color options
No matter which type of ductless head you choose, you can confidently deliver clean and efficient heating and cooling to your entire apartment without installing any additional ductwork.
Pro Tip: Eliminate Drafts with Insulation and Air Sealing
Just like with any HVAC system, you’ll get the most out of this state-of-the-art technology by first addressing any areas in your apartment that may need to be sealed and insulated. To make your home as comfortable and efficient as can be, we recommend working with your qualified contractor to have a home energy assessment performed to identify any sealing and insulating work that may be needed prior to your heat pump installation date.
When you seal and insulate your home prior to installing a new heat pump, not only will you be more comfortable in your home, but you will also likely achieve even greater monthly savings on your energy bills, making a good deal even better.
2-in-1 Heating & Cooling
With a cold-climate air source heat pump, you can enjoy heating and cooling from a single, modern system instead of buying and servicing separate heating and cooling equipment. That means less maintenance and less equipment taking up valuable space.
Not only that, but heat pumps also provide better quality heating and cooling than conventional furnaces or air conditioners (ACs). Whereas most furnaces blast your home with loud spurts of hot air that slowly dissipate until it’s time for another one, heat pumps put out a gentle, steady stream of warm air. And with ductless heat pumps, you and your family will enjoy the benefits of central AC without the ductwork — and you’ll never have to deal with window AC units again!
Cold-climate air source heat pumps use electricity to provide 2-in-1 heating and cooling that is safe, sustainable, and versatile.
Comfort
Cold-climate heat pumps distribute gentle, steady streams of warm (or cool) air to keep you comfortable — even on the hottest summer days and the coldest winter nights.
Lower Energy Bills
The monthly cost of heating and cooling your apartment with a heat pump is typically less than oil, propane, or electric resistance heating (such as baseboards).
Temperature Control
Zoned heating and cooling allows you to set different areas of your apartment to different temperatures.
High Efficiency
Sustainable heating and cooling that is up to 3x more efficient than traditional fuel systems.
Convenient
Heat Pumps require less maintenance, fewer service calls, and no fuel deliveries.
Installation Rebates
You may qualify for incentives from your electric utility company to lower your costs.
Safety and Peace of Mind
No more flames or fumes. Heat pumps can improve your home’s indoor air quality and reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by not burning fossil fuels.
Cleaner and Greener
Not only are heat pumps good for your wallet, they are good for the planet too. Heat pumps use electricity to heat and cool your home, reducing your carbon footprint when compared to a system that requires you to directly burn fossil fuels and emit carbon.
- Ductless mini-split heat pumps give you the option to install either a whole-home system, which addresses all your heating and cooling needs, or a partial-home solution, which supplements your current HVAC system to provide heating and cooling for specific areas, such as additions or individual rooms that always seem too hot or cold.
- To get the most out of your heat pump, check with your landlord or condo board to make sure your building has been professionally air sealed and insulated.
- You will need to install a condenser unit outside your building. If you have a balcony or patio, this can be a convenient place.
- There are different types of ductless “heads” and various design options for where they can go. Your installer will recommend the best units and installation design for your home.
- Your electric service may need to be upgraded to support your new heat pump.
- Depending on the terms of your lease, you may need to check with your property manager or building owner before making any decisions.
- Did you know that you may be able to use a heat pump for your home’s hot water needs as well? This can help you save even more energy.
Installation Cost:
Cost may vary by region, installation complexity, installer experience, system size, efficiency, and manufacturer.
- Rebates are available when you work with a participating New York State Clean Heat contractor — check to see what you may qualify for.
- NYS Clean Heat rebates can be combined with federal tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Now you can save even more when you make the switch to heat pumps and other clean, efficient solutions.
- New York State has low-interest financing options available to help make the purchase and installation of a heat pump more affordable.
- Ductless heat pumps do not require you to install any ductwork. They are often the simplest and least expensive heat pump systems to install.
Operating Cost:
- Your overall heating costs will likely decrease if switching from oil, propane, or electric resistance heating (such as baseboards).
- If you previously heated with fuel, don’t be surprised to see electric bills increase. However, your fuel bills will drop or disappear, which may offset the increase to your electric bills.
- As is the case with any heating system, efficient buildings that have been professionally air sealed and insulated have much lower operating costs.
- Air source heat pumps are more efficient than other air conditioning systems, saving you more money during the summer.
- Air source heat pumps last about 15 years and require minimal maintenance.
- What size units do I need? Ask for room-by-room heating and cooling calculations.
- Can the heat pump you are recommending sufficiently heat my home, or is an additional system needed?
- Is the heat pump you are recommending on the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnership (NEEP) cold-climate product list? Note: It is reasonable to ask your installer for a copy of the spec sheet from the NEEP website.
- How many ductless heads will I need and what is the best location for each one? Can we avoid heads directly above where people eat or sleep?
- What are my best placement options for the outdoor unit(s)?
- Will I need to update my electric service?
- How long will installation take? Where and when will you need access?
- How do I operate my system for optimal comfort and efficiency?
- What maintenance is required? How often should I clean or change air filters? Is annual service needed?
- What is the expected lifespan and warranty?
- How can I make any additional upgrades to my home, such as adding insulation or air sealing, to prepare for a heat pump? Do you have an insulation contractor I can work with?
- Is my home a good fit for a heat pump water heater as well? Do you have a contractor I can work with for this additional project?
Find an expert to help with your residential heat pump project. Incentives may be available from your electric utility company when you work through a NYS Clean Heat participating contractor.