There’s nothing like football season during the holidays; sitting down to watch your favorite gridiron gang in a big game in that brand new man cave you added to your home. All dressed up in your team’s colors: with long underwear, a parka with the team logo, and of course a wool stocking cap pulled down over your ears.
Sound ridiculous? Maybe, but that doesn’t mean it’s not real. Whether it’s a man cave, a studio or office, or a game room for the kids (and adults who don’t want to grow up), who wants to shiver in the winter and sweat in the summer?
Many times those bonus rooms are additional areas that aren’t currently heated or cooled properly. This includes a garage, an unfinished basement, an attic, or a screened-in sun room or porch. Adding ductwork for these rooms connected to your current HVAC system may not be in the budget.
There’s a viable solution to that problem, one that goes by many different names; including mini-split, mini-split inverter, or ductless heat pump. No matter what you call it, mini-split systems are an efficient way to climate control a room or area with NO ductwork required.
The primary advantages of mini splits are their small size and the option for zoning – heating and controlling individual rooms. Many models may feature as many as four indoor air-handling units (for four zones or rooms) connected to one outdoor unit that is programmable.
Another nice advantage is the ease of installation. Hooking up the indoor and outdoor units generally requires just one three inch hole through the wall. Also, the indoor unit can be as much as 50 feet away from the outdoor unit, meaning you can often hide the condenser unit in an out-of-the-way location.
The primary reason mini-split systems are so efficient is the lack of ductwork. Bypassing ductwork can reduce the energy wasted when hot or cold air leaks through holes and connections in existing ducts. That issue is eliminated with a ductless mini-split unit, as all of the hot or cold air goes directly to the room or area you want to heat or cool. In fact, some of these units conserve energy so well they qualify for federal tax credits, but it’s good to remember these credits may expire at the end of 2016 if Congress does not renew them.
So, now is the time to make the move and install a mini-split system. A new ductless heat pump will mean the only hot things in your mancave will be your chicken wings and your significant other, and the only thing that will be chilled will be your favorite beverage. So lose the long johns while enjoying your new bonus room and cheer your team onto victory.
Pick up the phone and call the professionals at Armstrong and find out how easy it is to make your converted attic, porch, garage, or basement more comfortable.
