Ductless Heat Pumps vs. Space Heaters

Space heaters are a quick and inexpensive way to get immediate heating – but they’re not very safe or efficient. If you’ve been using space heaters in your New York home to supplement your central HVAC system, or even as your only heating source, now is the time to consider switching to ductless.

Here’s why and how Jones Services can provide you with reliable heating support and service when you need it most.

How Ductless Heat Pumps Work

Ductless mini splits work differently than any other type of heater because they don’t generate heat. Space heaters, central HVAC systems, wood stoves, and other heating sources work by creating heat and then moving it around. But mini splits only move heat from one place to another, making them much more efficient and cost-effective.

You might not think so, but there’s still heat outside in the winter. A mini split will pull that heat out of the atmosphere and move it indoors where the air handler will transform that energy into warm air that blows throughout your space.

Unlike a central system, a heat pump doesn’t just shut off and turn back on to keep the temperature in your home stable. Instead, it increases or decreases the fan speed to keep your system running smoothly and the temperature in your home from changing rapidly.

Comparing Mini Splits & Space Heaters

One of the greatest benefits of a mini split compared to a space heater is that a mini split has the ability to cool your space too. Space heaters are only usable in the winter when it’s cold to heat your home, but a ductless system doubles as an AC in the summer by taking heat inside your home and moving it outside.

Here are some of the other ways ductless performs differently than space heaters:

Mini splits can help improve air quality. Most space heaters don’t have filters that remove dust and other particulates from your air. And if they use propane or natural gas, they can actively lower your indoor air quality. Ductless systems, on the other hand, have high-tech filters designed to remove pollen, dust, pet hair, dander, and more from your air.

Ductless systems use a lot less energy than space heaters. Generating heat takes a lot more energy than it does to move it around. Even oil-based and electric space heaters pull a lot of power from the grid, especially compared to a ductless mini split. Ductless technology uses minimal electricity for maximum results, helping to save money on your power bill.

You can better control your comfort. Many basic space heaters don’t have thermostats or temperature settings, only offering buttons or dials for high, medium, or low heat. This means you have to turn the heater on and off to keep your space as warm as you want it. Plus, they have only a limited ability to circulate warm air around your home.

Potential Problems Caused By Space Heaters

While space heaters are affordable and easy to set up, they come with a host of potential problems and dangers. The biggest risk is for fires if the unit comes into contact with flammable material, like drapes or furniture.

In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that common household space heaters are responsible for 1,700 house fires per year and approximately 80 deaths. Space heaters also:

• May release toxic fumes into your air like nitrogen dioxide or carbon monoxide
• Cause skin, lips, mouth, and eye dryness
• Be troublesome to operate and prone to malfunction
• Cost more than other types of heating to run
• Use a lot of electricity, potentially overloading circuits in older homes
• Pose a burn hazard when certain elements of the heater get hot to the touch
• Pose the risk of electric shock, especially near sources of water in the kitchen or bathroom areas

Get Reliable Heating Help From The Expert New York HVAC Contractors At Jones Services 

Keeping your home warm and comfortable during frigid New York winters and rapid weather changes can be difficult, but the team of experienced and dedicated NATE-certified HVAC contractors at Jones Services are here to help. Our technicians can work with you to choose a ductless heater that best fits your budget and heating needs.

Contact us by filling out our quick online form with your name and email address, or by calling (845) 289-8532 – our team is standing by to take your call and help you get safe and reliable home heating that doesn’t pose serious hazards to your family, pets, and property.