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Action Plumbing, HVAC, & Electric

Tag: heating

Mini-Split Ductless Heating Systems
in Salt Lake City

Mini-split ductless heating systems are intended to heat or cool a smaller area, and they enable you to control the temperature in individual rooms.

They have two main parts: an indoor air-handling unit (also known as the evaporator) and an outdoor compressor/condenser. Want to know if they’ll work for your home? Call us today.

Mini-Splits for Your Home

A mini-split doesn’t use ducts to transfer warm or cool air. Instead, it uses a refrigerant line. The compressor outside applies pressure to the refrigerant, which is then dispersed through the lines connected to the indoor unit.

To install a mini-split, our technicians only need to make a 3-inch hole in the wall to let the conduits pass through. You also have the option of connecting several indoor units to one outdoor compressor.

What makes a mini-split better than traditional heating and cooling systems?

  • No Ductwork Needed – Mini-splits are good for houses that don’t have ductwork.
  • Zone Control – Mini-splits enable you to control the temperature in specific parts of your home, meaning everyone in your house can be more comfortable. You can also lower the heat in out-of-way locations in your house, helping you to save money.
  • Quiet Operation – Unlike traditional heating and cooling systems, mini-splits are quieter — much quieter than traditional air conditioners.
  • Extra Control Features – Mini-splits offer homeowners greater convenience. For instance, many come with remote control operation, which is handy when you have units in hard-to-reach locations.
  • Better Air Quality – Systems with air ducts are notorious for collecting dust and blowing it around your house. But mini-splits, which are ductless, make for cleaner, healthier air.
  • Less Expensive – Mini-splits use a fraction of the energy other heating systems use. This is because they usually have more efficient compressors and fans, which allow them to adjust the speed and reduce energy consumption.
  • Versatile – Because they’re ductless, you can mount mini-splits on the wall or ceiling. You can choose from a number of sizes based on the space you want to heat. Have a newly renovated room or basement? A mini-split would be perfect.

Interested in installing mini-splits in your home? Contact Action Plumbing, Heating & Electric today. We offer free estimates.

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There are several examples of words or terms in the English language that just don’t make a whole lot of sense, and one that fits right into the HVAC world is duct tape. The word “duct” included in this title seems to pretty clearly indicate that this tape will be effective for sealing or otherwise repairing HVAC air ducts – but in reality, this is not the case at all, and duct tape is not recommended for these uses at all.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re happy to offer numerous HVAC services, from AC or furnace installation to many duct-related themes, including installation of ductless mini-split heating systems for those who want to remove any duct concerns whatsoever. We’re also here to steer you away from certain homeowner HVAC mistakes, one of the most common of which is using duct tape for HVAC ducts when this should never be done. This two-part blog will go over why duct tape and other forms of HVAC tape are limited at best in their efficacy when it comes to duct sealing or repairs, and generally should not be used for these purposes.

History of Duct Tape

For starters, it’s helpful to understand the history of duct tape to grasp exactly why it’s become such a misnomer today. Duct tape was created during the World War I period, originally meant as a consumer-grade tape that was meant for ammunition boxes. At the time, it was actually known as “duck” tape – either because it was made with duck cloth or because of the images its water-resistant properties invoked of water slipping off a duck’s back.

By the 1950s, however, this name had changed. Somehow, with folks assuming this tape would be useful for their air ducts, the term shifted to duct tape. However, as we’ll dig into further in our subsequent sections, duct tape is not actually useful for these purposes – more below.

Moisture Concerns

One of the top concerns with modern forms of HVAC tape, including duct tape, is moisture reaction. Many ducts will deal with water vapor and moisture, plus could have crack or leak issues that cause small amounts of condensed water to seep out. If you’re attempting to cover these issues with HVAC tape, it will not properly prevent this moisture leakage, leading to mold issues, water damage and other concerns.

Temperature Issues

Another major problem with duct tape is its inability to resist temperature changes. Your air ducts go through a wide range of temperatures throughout the year, but these fluctuations will wear down duct tape and cause it to lose its adhesive properties fairly quickly. What good is a sealant tape for an HVAC system if it can’t stay attached? None, really.

For more on why duct tape isn’t actual meant for your air ducts, or to learn about any of our HVAC or plumbing services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

For those looking to achieve separate temperature control in varying rooms or areas of the home, the mini-split ductless heating system might be just the thing for you. Providing high-quality efficiency and control for homeowners, these systems have become more and more popular over the last several years as technology has improved.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we offer a variety of heating and cooling services, including mini-split ductless heating systems for those looking to increase their control and air quality. In this two-part blog series, we’ll go over all the basics you need to know about a mini-split ductless system, including how it differs from others, its benefits, and the kinds of situations where it often benefits home or building owners to install.

Ductless Systems Defined

Within a standard central air HVAC system, the “split” format is almost always used. It refers to an outdoor condenser or compressor for air conditioning, which is connected to an indoor air handling unit and a mini-split thermostat that’s operated by the homeowner. Both units connect through copper tubing lines, and conditioned air is delivered to rooms by supply duct lines – return duct lines return air to the indoor unit.

In many older buildings, however, there is no existing ductwork already in place. When owners are looking to provide heating and cooling, the process of cutting through floors and walls to install ducts is imposing and potentially expensive – but this is where ductless systems come in. They circulate air directly through the indoor unit without any ductwork needed, making them perfect options for these property types and potentially several others.

Ductless Mini Split System Basics

Ductless mini-split systems work by bringing in air from the room in question through the air handling unit, then moving it to the furnace via a set of pipes. It’s warmed (or cooled during the hotter months, this time in the outdoor air condenser) and turned into a gas, which is sent to the condenser unit and then recycled back into a liquid.

From here, the air is injected back into the room itself. Over a series of repeated cycles here, the temperature is adjusted to the point where you desire it. These systems will come with multiple units, each of which is independently controlled for separate temperature needs. Systems can maintain up to eight handler units for a given space.

Direct Benefits of Ductless Systems

There are several distinct benefits of ductless mini-split systems:

  • Efficiency: Duct systems can often be inefficient, especially if the ducts themselves are not well-maintained and form leaks. Ductless systems, though, are much more efficient and allow for lower-stress operation within the HVAC unit, lengthening its lifespan while limiting your energy bill and also performing a service to the environment.
  • Easy installation: Installing a ductless mini-split system is quick and easy, with no need to dig into the foundation to install ductwork.
  • Air quality: Ductless systems help prevent contaminants through filtration cartridges, which are easy to replace and improve your air quality.
  • Cost: Finally, with utility prices on the rise in recent years, ductless systems are often a great way to lower your energy bill through their use of less power.

For more on ductless mini-split systems, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.

In parts one and two of this multi-part blog series, we’ve gone over some of the risks associated with indoor space heaters used to complement winter heating needs. These items may help increase your heating capacity, but they come with downsides in terms of safety, health and increasing utility bills that often cancel out their benefits and then some.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we’re here to help by providing quality HVAC services and alternatives to your heating needs, such as furnace installation and repair or our modern mini-split ductless heating systems that allow for individual temperature controls between rooms. In addition to working with our team to find the best and most efficient heating products for your needs, here are several important areas to keep an eye on that will eliminate the need for expensive, risky space heaters in your home.

Air Filters

The air filters in your HVAC system should be changed regularly throughout the year to maintain both air quality and system performance, and this is particularly vital during winter. Filters that are clogged up with dust and dirt will not only lower your air quality, but also strain the system, forcing it to work harder to perform the same level of heating – or even lowering its maximum heating capacity significantly.

Instead of rushing off for an expensive space heater if you aren’t getting enough warm air, consider whether your filters have been changed recently and if this might be contributing to the issue.

Vent Cleaning and Air Flow

Another factor that could be contributing to poor heating quality is vents that are not clean, blocking the proper air flow from making its way around the home. One way to avoid this is by cleaning your vents regularly, ensuring the system can perform as strongly as possible at all times. Blocked vents can diminish heating capacity to a larger degree than you might have considered.

Programmable Thermostat

If your home still utilizes a manual thermostat that has to be changed by hand to alter the temperature, upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat option can do wonders for your heating. This allows you to easily change the temperature and even schedule heating periods, which both saves you money and allows you to maximize comfort when you know everyone will be home.

Professional HVAC Service

Finally, regular professional maintenance from our HVAC pros will keep your furnace and other components in peak condition. This will limit the need for any additional heating items, allowing your home’s installed system to do all the work in an efficient, affordable way.

For more on the risks associated with space heaters, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.

The summer period is often a great one to consider upgrades to your home’s heating capability – these services aren’t used as often during summer, for obvious reasons, but this means HVAC contractors will have fewer appointments and there’s a good chance heating equipment might come at a discount. One good example of a heating upgrade to consider during this period is a boiler system.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we’re here to provide high-quality boiler installation at any time of year. Boiler systems, which run hot water through your pipes to create a system known as baseboard heating, are an alternative heating format that’s become very popular among many homeowners for its efficiency and ease of use. And if you’re among those who have already taken the chance to install a boiler system, or even if you’re considering one and want to know the kinds of upkeep areas you’ll have to think about when you upgrade, here are some basic maintenance areas to keep in mind for your home’s boiler system.

Water Levels

Roughly every few weeks or so, especially during heating season, you should be checking the basic boiler water level to ensure everything is in order. Most modern boilers contain specific markings noting where the water level should be at to operate optimally – if yours doesn’t, consult the operations manual or call our HVAC pros for assistance.

If you allow water levels in the boiler to reach too low, not only will your heating be sub-optimal, your equipment could be damaged. Boilers are not meant to run without proper water levels, and could lead to significant issues not only for themselves, but also for nearby plumbing.

Dust and Debris Removal

Boilers will accumulate some dust over time, just like any other element in a home that sits in one place. The main concern here is dust or debris making its way into the fan or the motor of the boiler, which can lead to parts wearing down faster than they should. When you dust the rest of your home, roughly once a week or so, also take some time to dust the boiler.

Lubrication

Like any other machine with moving parts, boilers need to be lubricated to ensure too much friction doesn’t build up. Fans, pumps and motors are the parts of a boiler that require lubrication – our pros can offer you tips on the proper lubricant and how to carry out this process.

Regular Inspection

Finally, as part of your yearly plumbing and HVAC inspection, you should have the boiler checked along with its plumbing lines. Professionals will help you determine if there are any leaks or faulty parts, plus other issues that might crop up during the winter.

For more on the basic upkeep you need to provide your boiler system, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.

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