Most people are familiar with what ductwork looks like in a typical ceiling, wall or floor. Those ducts are there to move warm and cool air throughout a home. But what do you do if you don't have ducts?

While most homes built in the last sixty five years certainly do, that is not the case in older homes.Â Those wonderful pre-war homes and apartments have great windows, beautiful floors, interesting wood woodwork, and heating and cooling challenges.

For these homes and buildings ductless, mini-split-system heat pumps are a great way to bring modern heating and cooling to these classic structures without tearing up and completely rebuilding walls.

They are also a good choice when you are adding on to an existing structure like a sun room, where extending the distribution ductwork from the rest of the hose is not practice

How do they work?

In many ways the ductless unit, also called a mini split works like a traditional air-source heat pumps.Â There are two main pieces: the outdoor compressor complete with a condensing coil and an indoor air-handling unit. Instead of being installed in a closet or basement, the indoor unit is mounted on a wall.Â A conduit links the outdoor and indoor units recycling the refrigerant as needed.

The connection between the outdoor and indoor units usually only requires a three-inch hole through a wall for the conduit. The outdoor unit can actually be placed as far as 50 feet from the indoor unit. So even if you are using mini splits to condition rooms on the front side of a house you can tuck the condensing units away on the side or back of your home.

Attractive indoor units

The indoor units are designed to blend into your room. They are typically about seven inches deep with a sleek, high tech exterior. The units can be hung high on a wall, suspended from a ceiling or mounted flush into a drop ceiling. With a hand held remote control you can control the temperature in your room from the comfort of your couch.

The small units are designed to condition an individual room so you have an opportunity to create custom comfort zones. Some systems can have as many as four indoor air-handling, each one with its own thermostat. This allows you to control the temperature in each room. Southern facing rooms with lots of windows can get a little more cool air while rooms throughout the rest of the home do not.

And since each room has its own thermostat, you can actually turn off units in unoccupied rooms, saving energy and lowering your utility bills.

No ductwork means less energy loss

There is one more energy benefit owners of mini splits enjoy since there is no ductwork , no energy loss in the ducts. In a traditional forced air system, you often see as much as 30% of the energy consumption lost in unconditioned spaces as the ducts run through attics or crawl spaces. No ducts? No wasted energy.

Compared to traditional duct central air systems, ductless mini split air conditioners have a slight advantage in Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratings (SEER). On average, central air systems have a rating between 21-18, whereas ductless units range between 23-21.

New technology requires new skills

At Chapman Heating and Cooling, our technicians have been specially trained to correctly size, install and service these units. Call us today to see if a ductless heat pump is a good solution for your home.

Looking for ductless air conditioner or heat pumps contact Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, today

Did you know there are incentives for switching to an energy efficient heating and cooling system? Companies like Vectren and Duke provide rebates on certain products that could lower your monthly bill and put some money back in your pocket.

If you've been thinking about making the switch to geothermal, now is the time. Not only are rebates available for these units, the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is offering a 30% tax credit on Geothermal heat pumps.

This credit ends December 31, 2016, so now is the time to make the switch for lower monthly costs and the most money back for making the switch.

Duke Energy Smart Saver

The money you receive back depends on the nature of the home improvement project. Money back ranges from $100 to about $460, depending on the project. The Smart Saver home improvement rebate includes: HVAC installations, insulate and seal for ductwork, insulate and seal for attics, variable-speed pool pump installations and heat pump water pump installations. Services and rebate amounts depend on availability and applicable.

Earning money back for new installations can be accomplished in three steps:

Call Chapman, Your Participating Contractor
Make Improvements
Get Your Money

It's really as simple as that. Three steps to upgrade your system, save on energy costs and receive money back in the mail. For more information and answers to some frequently asked questions, visit the Super Savers site. When you're ready to take advantage of this rebate, give us a call and schedule your appointment.

Schedule An Appointment

Vectren Residential Rebates

If you use Vectren electric services, you may be eligible for residential rebates on new equipment purchases. Central air conditioning units, heat pumps, ductless heat pumps and other electric services could make you eligible for this rebate. Before you make any new purchases, consult your Chapman representative to make sure these rebates apply to you and your home.

Looking for more ways to save on energy costs this summer? Read more on how to stay cool and keep the energy bill low this summer.

Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit

There are a few key things to know about the difference between a credit and a deduction. A Tax Credit may be claimed for spending money on the installation of a Qualified Geothermal Heat Pump on a new or existing dwelling located in the United states and used as residence by a taxpayer.

To put it simply, you will receive 30% money back on a geothermal system you purchase and install for your home before December 31, 2016.

The other important thing to note is the classification of a 'Qualified' heat pump. To be classified as qualified, the system must:

Use the ground or ground water as thermal energy source.
Meet requirements of the Energy Star program

Time is running out to receive 30% back in tax credit for geothermal heat pumps. Now is the time to make the switch to a higher performing, energy efficient, green way to heat and cool your home all year long. Doing your part by switching to renewable energy options and low impact heating and cooling solutions goes a long way in saving you money and protecting our environment.

Take advantage of these helpful rebates and credits to help you make the smarter decision. Not all rebates are available in all cities and states. Contact a representative at Chapman to learn about your options and make the right decision for your home and future.

Give Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Plumbing, to provide air conditioning services for your home today

A mini split air conditioner (also commonly referred to as a ductless system) is a cooling system that circulates cool air without the use of air ducts. These systems provide a comfortable, affordable solution for problem areas in homes.Without ducts, these cooling systems are easier to install and more efficient than traditional systems. We asked Jeff Chapman to tell us a little more about mini split systems and typical places in the home where these systems are needed.

When determining if a mini split is right for you, consider your comfort level, existing system, and these 4 common areas for mini splits and what makes them the best solution.

Efficient for Problem Areas

There are rooms in the home that don't get quite as cold as the rest of the house. Inefficient use of energy is not only bad for the environment, it can also increase your energy bill. Duct systems are known for energy loss due to gaps in the ductwork. In traditional systems, up to 30% of the heat generated does not reach the home. With ductless, air does not travel through ductwork, which increases their efficiency.

Running the air conditioner colder and longer doesn't only take a toll on your energy bill, it can significantly decrease the lifespan of your unit. Ductless systems are the best choice for cooling problem spots in the home without spending a fortune in energy bills each month.

Sized for Small Spaces

Full-scale duct installments aren't usually the best solution for small spaces or homes without duct systems already in place. The installation of a mini split is much less invasive than a full duct system. Installation takes roughly one day when performed by a skilled, certified technician. The biggest challenge with installation is identifying the correct placement and size for each space. Technicians can help you identify the right location and size for efficiency and proper air flow. Small rooms, cottages and rooms above a detached unit, like a garage, are all common places ductless systems are the best choice.

Flexibility for Outdoor/Indoor Space

The sunroom or inside porch is another example of a difficult to control room. These areas of the home fluctuate in temperature with the changing seasons. Ductless systems give homeowners the freedom to control the air temperature in these temperature varying rooms. Most units come equipped with remote control functions, allowing you to set temperature from anywhere in the room.

Additions Without Costly Ducts

If you have had ductwork installed before, you know how difficult, costly and hard on your home this process can be. Additions to the home will require heating and cooling systems, but a full-scale installation isn't always necessary. Depending on the size of the addition, mini splits offer a less expensive way to keep these rooms comfortable.

The main advantage to one of these systems is their capacity to control the temperature in zoned areas. These units can be set to heat or cool only the rooms being occupied. This flexibility greatly reduces the amount of energy and money spent on rooms that don't need heat or cold air at all times.

Whether you're considering an addition to your home or are just tired of cranking the AC to stay cool in the third-floor bedroom at night, consider the benefits of a ductless system. The most important thing to remember when considering a mini-split is making sure it is the size and location for your heating and cooling needs. Certified technicians can help you identify the best product and placement for you. If you would like to learn more about ductless systems, give Chapman a call at 317-291-4909 or schedule an appointment.