If you already own a heat pump, congratulations! You’ve already taken an important step towards clean, energy-efficient home heating and cooling. But now is the time to learn how to maximize your system’s efficiency and reduce your electric bills.
Here are some practical and effective ways to stretch the cost of your heat pump in winter and how N.E.T.R., Inc. can help you get reliable and affordable heating when you need it most.
Seal Heat Leaks in Your Home
Most New England homes have heat leaks, especially those that were built before the 1950s. The problem with this is that it allows your warm indoor air to escape and lets frigid winter air in. This creates hot and cold spots throughout your home and makes your system work harder to try to keep your space at the proper temperature.
Heat leaks are most common around windows, doors, electrical outlets and switches, and around vents. Weatherstripping around doors and windows helps create an airtight seal to keep the cold out, while random cracks in your walls or floors can be filled with caulk.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can take your mini split’s energy-efficient heating capabilities to the next level, providing you with greater control, comfort, and cost savings throughout Boston’s icy winters.
You can set and forget your thermostat so it uses less energy while you are away from home or in rooms you don’t use often. Plus, you can control your heat pump from your mobile device anywhere you are. If your plans suddenly change and you won’t be home, you can turn your system down remotely to save money.
Use Your Heat Pump’s Auxiliary Heat Settings
Heat pumps come with a helpful feature called auxiliary heating, which gives you an extra boost of warmth during extreme cold spells. This extra heat usually comes on automatically when your indoor temperature falls a few degrees below where you have your thermostat set.
You can also turn the feature on manually, but in both cases it will only run for a few hours at most or until your home has reached the desired temperature. Use your auxiliary heat on very cold days or when you need a “hot start” and don’t want to wait for your system to warm up.
Cover Your Windows
Window coverings can act as another layer of insulation between your home and the chilly outdoor air and air relatively affordable and easy to put up. They prevent you from losing heat through the glass and lower the amount of work needed from your mini split to keep your home comfortable.
You can also prevent cold air from coming in, which helps keep your indoor temperatures stable and eliminates hot and cold spots throughout your house.
Supplement Your Home Heating
While heat pumps are incredibly efficient and cost-effective, very cold winters can put a lot of undue stress on your system. This extra wear and tear can cause you to need premature repairs or even replacement of your entire system. A good way to prevent this is by using a supplemental heating source that reduces the heat load your mini split needs to produce to reach your preferred indoor temperature.
Often, homeowners who install ductless HVAC will leave their existing heating system in place so they can use it for supplemental heating as needed. So if you have a central system and a mini split, you can use your mini split most of the time and only turn on your central heating when you need extra warmth. If you don’t have a secondary system, you can do the same thing with a portable electric space heater or a wood stove.
Monitor and Adjust Your System
Weather conditions can fluctuate quickly during the winter, so it’s important to monitor your system and keep an eye on what the temperatures are expected to be. This allows you to plan ahead and respond quickly to changes in the weather without putting extra wear on your system.
Get in Touch with a Qualified HVAC Contractor
When it comes to navigating your ductless heating system, regular maintenance is key to getting the most bang for your buck. A qualified HVAC contractor can help you maximize the efficiency and lifespan of your ductless heating system, so you can enjoy consistent and reliable home comfort all year long. Contact N.E.T.R., Inc. today for more information at (781) 933-6387.
