Introduction to Mini Split Heat Pumps
Understanding the Basics
Good afternoon! Welcome to our humble homestead. Today, we’re delving into the fascinating world of heat pumps, focusing particularly on mini split heat pumps. A crucial question looms: Are these systems truly efficient for heating during winter months, especially under frigid conditions? Let’s explore this burning inquiry together.
The Transition to Mini Splits
As part of our endeavor to embrace renewable energy, our home is powered by solar energy. Recently, we opted to install mini split heat pumps around the house, bidding farewell to our outdated and inefficient three-ton heat pump unit. It’s noteworthy that while mini splits are technically heat pumps, they demonstrate significantly higher efficiency compared to traditional systems.
Currently, with the outside temperature hovering around 54 degrees, our mini splits are functioning splendidly, providing ample warmth. However, a drastic weather system is on the horizon—a mighty storm taking aim at us. Tomorrow morning, we anticipate temperatures plummeting to around 11 degrees. This impending weather shift serves as the perfect opportunity for us to monitor and document the performance of our mini splits under challenging conditions.
Introducing the Equipment
We have chosen two distinct brands for our mini splits: Mr. Cool and Innovair, sold by Signature Solar. If you’re curious about my installation process, feel free to check the previous video linked at the top of this screen. I aim to provide you with a real-time, practical demonstration of how these units operate. Keep in mind, it won’t be long before the thermometer dips from a glorious 54 degrees to a nippy 25 degrees—quite the rapid transition, indeed!
Performance Monitoring of the Heat Pumps
The Current Readings
Here we are in the main space, where our unit is set to a cozy 74 degrees. With an outside temperature of 54, the indoor reading sits comfortably at 71 degrees. Armed with my trusty infrared thermometer, I’m gathering temperature readings to assess the performance of these units. Scanning the coils of the indoor unit reveals a temperature ranging from 104 to 106 degrees—a promising sign of effective heat transfer.
Our Innovair unit, set to a cooler 69 degrees, matches the indoor temperature precisely but has coil readings that only reach about 84 degrees. It seems there’s a little discrepancy here, as the innovative heating model is not kicking on, despite the cozy ambiance in the room.
Room-Specific Analysis
As we transition to the girls’ room, set at a warm 72 degrees, the thermometer registers just shy of 70. While this room is warmer than expected, it’s critical to note that the coils have yet to engage. Stepping into the spare room—which serves various purposes including seed starting and sewing—we find an unheated space registering around 60 degrees. It’s simply unnecessary to activate this unit currently.
In the hallway, the old thermostat remains connected and shows a comfortable 71 degrees. With temperatures outside still at 54, just for curiosity, I checked the air being expelled from the system—a brisk 36 degrees, much colder than the ambient air.
Understanding Efficiency Ratings
SEER vs HSPF
When discussing HVAC systems, one often encounters the SEER rating, which indicates energy efficiency in cooling mode. However, for our heating discussion, the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) takes precedence. This metric defines how efficient a heat pump is in heating mode. Ideally, a rating between seven to nine signifies a decent performance.
Our Mr. Cool units boast a respectable HSPF of 10, while the Innovair impressively scores a remarkable 15. Yet, we must remember that these numbers stem from controlled lab environments; real-world performance, especially amid the impending chill, can vary greatly.
Coefficient of Performance (COP)
Another pivotal measurement is the Coefficient of Performance (COP), which calculates the efficiency of energy use. For instance, traditional heating sources like propane have a COP of around one. In contrast, Innovair claims an astounding COP of 14.75—indicating that for every unit of energy consumed, it generates over 14 units of heating energy. Remarkable, right? However, such lofty statistics often originate from ideal testing scenarios, far removed from our current winter reality.
Analyzing the Challenges of Winter Heating
Monitoring the Temperature Drop
Fast forward to 3:45 PM; the temperature has dipped a startling 30 degrees in merely a few hours. Out here, it currently reads around 21 degrees. Let’s investigate how our heat pumps are faring in this significant temperature drop. Both units have periodically undergone defrost cycles, a normal procedure for maintaining efficiency in cold weather.
Inside the house, our thermometer continues to record 69 degrees—a minor temperature fluctuation indicative of good performance. Adjustments were made, elevating the settings slightly: the living room unit hovers at 75 degrees, while the individual bedroom temperatures range from 70 to 73 degrees.
Unfamiliar Territory
It’s quite peculiar for me to recount temperatures as low as 10 degrees, especially now living in Texas, since I haven’t endured such frigid conditions since my days in Michigan. Nevertheless, it’s an educational experience as I monitor these heat pumps through extreme fluctuations.
The Importance of Insulation
An often-overlooked factor in the effectiveness of our heating system is home insulation. Our house, a 42-year-old structure, is built with 2×4 walls that feature R13 insulation, accompanied by blown-in fiberglass insulation that has compacted over time. Dust accumulating in the attic further compromises its insulating properties.
Planning future upgrades to enhance this insulation will undoubtedly yield significant benefits in energy efficiency and overall comfort.
Performance Update: The Coldest Hours
Real-Time Data Collection
As evening settles in, the outside temperature drops to a biting 10 degrees. The mini split units spring to life, maintaining indoor temperatures impressively. For instance, while the living space is set at 75 degrees, I’ve observed coil temperatures around 95 degrees. Notably, even with the diminished insulation performance, I find the lower living space at 63 degrees quite serviceable against the onslaught of bitter cold.
The master bedroom unit, holding steady at 69 degrees throughout the night, boasts coils heating up to approximately 100 degrees—affirming the unit’s capability to extract warmth from the brisk outside air.
Remarkable Heat Extraction
The mini split systems shine brilliantly in their ability to extract warmth from the frigid air outside. For instance, as we check the Mr. Cool 12K unit in the cold of night, it releases air at a staggering -11 degrees, while the Innovair system yields a reading around -10 degrees. Such performance illustrates the advanced technology at work, capable of bringing warmth into our home even amid extreme temperatures.
The Energy Consumption not for Ignoring
Tracking energy consumption reveals interesting insights. The master bedroom unit has consumed 11 kilowatts since midnight, with the living room following closely at 8.5 kilowatts. The girls’ room remains slightly behind at 7.4 kilowatts.
Presently, the ongoing usage shows the master unit pulling 1.3 kilowatts, while the living room unit averages around 1.1 kilowatts—a notable contrast to traditional heating systems that would struggle immensely to maintain warmth during these conditions.
Conclusion: Evaluating Performance and Efficiency
Through this journey of monitoring our mini split heat pumps under extraordinary cold conditions, I’m genuinely astounded by their performance. Unlike the antiquated three-ton heat pump that faltered during freezing temperatures, these mini splits have exceeded my expectations.
For anyone contemplating a similar setup, I highly encourage you to explore the options available. You can find links to the units in the video description, and I invite your questions and comments to enhance our community’s knowledge.
As we part ways, don’t miss out on our next video detailing the installation process of a Mr. Cool DIY mini split system. Stay warm, stay blessed, and I look forward to seeing you in our future content!
