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Ductless heat pumps
Ductless heat pumps in Nanaimo
Heating and cooling for homes without ducts, additions and the room that never feels right. No ducts, no renovation.
Ductless explained
What is a ductless heat pump?
A ductless heat pump, or mini split, is a heating and cooling system that needs no ductwork. It's a split system because it has separate indoor and outdoor units, and it's called mini because it's smaller than a conventional central system. A compact outdoor unit connects to one or more quiet indoor heads through a small hole in the wall. Each head heats or cools the room it's in, which makes ductless one of the most flexible systems you can put in an older Nanaimo home, or in a small space you don't use often. We offer a full line of high-efficiency ductless heat pumps for homes and businesses that fit any space, any need and any use, without compromising the space or your comfort.
See it on the job.
The benefits
What are the benefits of a ductless heat pump?
The biggest benefit is right in the name: no ducts means no patching, no painting and very little disruption. We drill a small hole to run the line from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit, and the outdoor unit powers the indoor head, so there's no extra indoor wiring. After that, the benefits are comfort, quiet and control.
Comfort and control
- Minimal installation with no ductwork
- Room-by-room temperature control
- A cooler office and a warmer bedroom at the same time
- Inverter compressor holds the temperature with little fluctuation
Quiet and clean
- Longer, lower-speed cycles run quietly
- Long refrigerant lines let the outdoor unit sit away from decks and patios
- A filter in every indoor head
- No air shared between rooms, a plus for allergies
Where it fits
Where does a mini split make sense in a Nanaimo home?
Ductless systems fit almost anywhere central air can't. They're a natural choice for homes without ducts, for suites and additions, and for baseboard-heated houses. With several indoor heads on one or more outdoor units, a ductless system can also heat and cool a whole home.
Common uses
- Homes without ductwork
- Basement suites and room additions
- Attic or garage conversions
- The room that's always too hot or too cold
- Baseboard-heated homes
- Older homes adding cooling for the first time
Indoor heads
How many rooms can one ductless system heat and cool?
One outdoor unit can run 1 to 5 indoor heads, and each head holds its own temperature. A single head works well for an open main floor, a suite or one problem room. We place each head where it will heat and cool the space evenly and size the outdoor unit to match the total load, so no room is left short.
Inverter technology
How does an inverter heat pump save energy?
An inverter compressor works like cruise control. Instead of switching fully on and off like a single-stage system, it adjusts its motor speed and output as conditions change. That means smooth, steady temperatures, quieter operation and less energy wasted on the constant start-up and shut-down cycle. Most of the time it runs at a low, efficient speed and only ramps up when the room needs it.
Baseboard homes
Can ductless replace electric baseboards in an older Nanaimo home?
In many homes, yes. Moving away from electric baseboard heating is one of the most common reasons homeowners call us about a heat pump, and ductless is often the easiest way to do it in a home that was never built with ducts. Rebates may be available, and eligibility can depend on your existing heating system and income. Our rebate team checks the program rules before any work starts.
Carrier
Which ductless heat pumps does Norm's install?
We install Carrier ductless heat pumps, which are quiet, efficient and reliable. Carrier has been around since 1915 and invented air conditioning, and its ductless technology leads the world with ratings of up to 42 SEER and up to 15 HSPF. Carrier systems use inverter-controlled, variable-speed compressors, and a Follow Me feature senses the temperature at the handheld remote, so the room is comfortable where you're sitting.
Why ductless
- Many mounting options
- Non-intrusive, virtually invisible installation
- Affordable
- Individually controlled
- Efficient and eco-friendly
Carrier ductless
- SEER up to 42 and HSPF up to 15
- Ultra-quiet comfort
- Follow Me temperature sensing at the remote
- Inverter-controlled, variable-speed technology
Honest advice
When is a ducted heat pump a better fit than ductless?
If your home already has ductwork in good shape, a ducted heat pump can use it to heat and cool every room through the vents you have, with no indoor heads on the walls. That's usually the simpler choice for a ducted house. Ductless shines where ducts don't exist or can't reach. If you only need a little heat in a space without ducts and don't need cooling, a Rinnai direct vent wall furnace may also be worth comparing.
Google reviews
What customers say about our ductless heat pumps
The guys from Norms Plumbing and Heating who did the heat pump installation for me were very professional. They knew what they were doing every step of the way. They worked well together as a team. They were friendly and polite. The electrician from Demar was also friendly and professional. I was very pleased with the job they did. I would defiantly recommend them all for heat pump installations.
We had a new heat pump put in today. From Ryan coming to give the quote to the install today has been great. Jason and Mason did the install today and were great.
Heat pumps, on Instagram
Real jobs from the Norm's crew. Follow @normsplumbingheatingaircon.
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Your questions, answered
Do ductless heat pumps work in winter?
Yes. Our winters are mild by Canadian standards, which is where modern heat pumps work best.
Do I need new wiring inside for a ductless system?
No. The outdoor unit supplies power to the indoor unit, so there's no need for additional indoor wiring.
Which ductless brand do you install?
We install Carrier ductless systems, which use inverter-controlled, variable-speed technology.
Can the outdoor unit go away from my deck?
Usually. Long refrigerant lines give us room to place the outdoor unit farther from decks, patios and other outdoor living spaces.
Do ductless heat pumps help with allergies?
Each indoor unit has its own filter, and air isn't shared between rooms, which can help people with allergies.
How long does a ductless installation take?
A typical heat pump installation takes about one day. Bigger multi-head systems can take two or three days.
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Ready when you are
Find out if ductless fits your home.
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