Replacing Electric Baseboards: Why Bandon Homeowners Are Switching to Ductless

When wintertime weather arrives in Bandon and Coos County, homeowners need an energy-efficient source of heat. If you don’t have ductwork, it may feel like inefficient baseboard heat is the only option. Fortunately, ductless mini-splits are a better alternative that can maximize your energy efficiency and comfort this winter.

Looking for a ductless mini-split AC installation near me? Reach out to our HVAC technicians to schedule a professional consultation.

The Problem With Electric Baseboard Heating

For local homes that don’t have ducts, it can often feel like electric baseboard heating is the only option. If you already have this kind of heating setup, you know the wallet drain that occurs. Opening your January electric bill can be enough to inspire heart palpitations.

• Wallet drain: The problem with baseboard heating is that it is considered 1:1 efficient. This means that every unit of electricity equals one unit of heat, which is fairly expensive compared to more modern HVAC units.

• Comfort issue: Worse still, you don’t gain a more comfortable home for this added cost. Instead, baseboard heaters produce hot spots and cold zones. If furniture items are placed too close to the units, they can catch on fire. Additionally, each time they start up, you’ll likely notice the smell of burning dust.
• No cooling: Baseboard heating is also fairly limited in its applications. While Bandon’s summer days are getting increasingly warm, baseboard heating doesn’t offer any cooling benefits.

What Is a Ductless Mini-Split?

By getting a mini-split AC installation in Bandon, OR and the surrounding areas, you can maximize your energy efficiency, improve your family’s comfort, and avoid the cost of installing ductwork. These units have an outdoor compressor that is linked to indoor wall units via a small conduit. Because of this, they don’t require any bulky ductwork.

When you convert from baseboard to ductless, you can also enjoy the energy efficiency of heat pump technology. This type of technology allows heat to be transferred instead of created, so it is 200% to 300% efficient (two to three units of heat per unit of electricity) instead of just 100% efficient like baseboard heating.

The ROI: Crunching the Numbers

When it comes to a ductless heat pump’s ROI, you can quickly see the savings add up. By switching from baseboard to mini-split units, you can typically lower your heating bill by 30% to 50%. Because homebuyers prefer this kind of residential AC installation, it can also increase the resale value of your home.

Finally, the total cost of ductless mini-splits is often much lower than the sticker price. Because they are considered high-efficiency systems, you can access local utility rebates and federal tax credits that decrease the upfront cost for the new AC installation. For example, the Energy Trust of Oregon and the Oregon Heat Pump Purchase Program both provide incentives for investing in heat pump technology.

The “Hidden” Bonus: You Get Air Conditioning

By looking for a mini-split AC installation near you, you can enjoy a number of energy efficiency and performance benefits. Besides providing wintertime heat, these HVAC units can also cool your home. Bandon summers continue to get warmer every year, making a high-performance cooling system especially important. When 80°F days arrive, you don’t want to be sweltering in your home.

Ultimately, improved heating and cooling performance boosts your family’s comfort. You can sleep better during hot July nights and save money on heating costs in the middle of January.

Installation: No Ducts? No Problem

By working with a professional AC installation contractor, you can reduce the hassle involved in getting ductless mini-splits installed. Mini-split installation is minimally invasive, so we just have to cut a 3-inch hole in the wall. In a matter of hours, we can have the entire project completed and cleaned up.

Once you have your mini-splits installed, you can enjoy having individualized control over each zone. While your spouse cranks up the temperature in the bedroom, you can drop the living room temperature to a pleasantly cool level. Additionally, this zoning effect means you can lower your heating and cooling bills even more. If you’re working out of the home office or spending the day baking, you can switch the heat on in just one zone.

Looking for an AC installation service near you? Alpha Heating & Air Conditioning is known as Bandon’s trusted AC installation contractor. If you need help retrofitting an older coastal home, we have the experience you need. You can call us to schedule the installation of your new AC.

Frequently Asked Questions: Switching to Ductless in Bandon

Still searching for a mini-split AC installation near you? Learn more about the process by reading through some of the most frequently asked questions and answers.

How long does a mini-split AC installation take?

While the size and complexity of each project can lead to different timelines, installing a mini-split AC generally takes just one day for our technicians to complete. Before your installation day, we’ll walk you through the entire process so that you know exactly what to expect.

Do mini-splits work in freezing temperatures?

Yes, they can. While old models were unable to function in extremely cold weather, this has changed in the subsequent decades. Modern cold-climate models are incredibly effective in below-freezing temperatures. During our initial consultation, one of our HVAC technicians will evaluate your home’s energy needs to help you decide on the best heating and cooling solutions.

Is maintenance difficult?

Mini-split AC maintenance is easy to do. Through timely maintenance, you can improve your unit’s efficiency, decrease the likelihood of repairs, and prevent unexpected HVAC breakdowns from happening. We recommend cleaning the filters every 30 to 90 days and scheduling annual mini-split AC maintenance to keep your unit operating at its best.

Ready to Lower Your Electric Bill?

If you are struggling with high energy bills during the winter and sweltering in the summer, mini-split ACs offer the energy-efficient, affordable alternative you need. Thanks to heat pump technology, these units can heat and cool your home. The innovative zoning system ensures that each section of your home can enjoy individualized comfort.

Ready to upgrade your home’s heating system before the next major cold snap? Reach out to Alpha Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule your mini-split AC installation