Tag: ductless mini-split

Heating Options for this Fall

Sep 25, 2023

Heating Options for this Fall

  • Heating
Stay warm this fall with expert heating solutions from North Shore Home Energy. We offer a list of comprehensive heating services!

As the leaves start to change and the temperature drops, it’s time to prepare for the upcoming fall season. The transition from the cooling season can be a smooth one if you have the right heating system in place. In this blog, we’ll explore various solutions, including forced air heating, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, ductless mini-split systems, and geothermal options. We’ll also discuss the benefits of each type of system and provide a list of considerations to help you choose the right one for your needs. North Shore Home Energy can help you make the best decision when it comes to heating solutions. Check out our services!

The Transition from Cooling Season

As summer fades away, it’s crucial to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. The first step in this transition is to assess your heating system and make any necessary upgrades or repairs. This ensures that you’ll stay warm and comfortable throughout the fall and winter. While a simple system tune-up will usually get us through the cooler seasons, sometimes we need to replace our heating systems entirely. Realizing you need a whole new system can be overwhelming. 

Heating Options for this Fall

Between the different options, various benefits, and personal considerations, choosing the right heating solutions for your home or business is a huge task. Luckily at North Shore Home Energy, our professionals make this decision easy. To aid your decision let’s look into the different options:

  • Forced Air: This popular system uses a furnace to heat air, which is then distributed throughout your home via ductwork. 
  • Gas furnaces: Gas furnaces work by burning natural gas to heat a heat exchanger, and then a blower circulates the warmed air through your home’s ducts.
  • Electric furnaces: Electric Furnaces use electric heating elements to generate heat, and a blower circulates the heated air throughout your home.
  • Boilers: Boilers use water or steam to heat your home. 
  • Heat Pumps: Heat pumps are versatile systems that can both heat and cool your home. 
  • Ductless Mini-Split Systems: If you want a solution that doesn’t require ductwork, consider ductless mini-split systems.
  • Geothermal Heating: Geothermal systems utilize the earth’s natural heat to warm your home.

Benefits of Different Types of Heating Systems

Each system has its unique advantages:

  • Forced air heating and furnaces provide quick and even heating, making it a reliable choice for many homeowners.
  • Gas furnaces are known for their efficiency, while electric furnaces are easy to install and maintain. Both options can keep your home warm during the colder months. 
  • Boilers are known for their energy efficiency and even heating distribution. If you prefer radiant heating, boilers might be the right choice for you.
  • Heat pumps are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, making them an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint and increase cost savings.
  • Ductless mini-split systems offer zone heating and cooling, making it easy to control the temperature in different areas of your home.
  • Geothermal heating is highly efficient and environmentally friendly, though geothermal heating may require a significant upfront investment.

Choosing the Right Heating System

The type of system is not the only thing to consider when you need a new heating solution. Like putting in any new appliance you want to consider all of your needs. When selecting a new system for your home, consider the following factors:

  • Size of your home: Ensure the system can adequately heat your entire space.
  • Energy efficiency: Look for systems with high-efficiency ratings to reduce energy bills.
  • Fuel type: Decide between gas, electric, or alternative fuels based on availability and cost.
  • Installation and maintenance costs: Consider both upfront and long-term expenses.
  • Environmental impact: Opt for eco-friendly options if sustainability is a priority.

Professional Heating Services with North Shore Home Energy

To ensure your heating system is in top condition for fall and winter, trust North Shore Home Energy for professional services. Our experienced technicians can perform inspections, maintenance, repairs, and installations to keep your home cozy throughout the season. With our expertise, you can rest easy knowing your system is in good hands.

Fall Heating Checklist

When fall comes around the corner, making sure your heating system is up to date is extremely important. Even if you have a brand-new system, you should always check out its functionality. You can even have your technician double-check your system when they first install it! Before the cold weather sets in, use this checklist to prepare your system:

  1. Schedule a professional inspection and maintenance service.
  2. Replace air filters to ensure proper airflow.
  3. Check thermostat settings and replace batteries if needed.
  4. Seal any drafts or gaps in your home’s insulation.
  5. Clear debris from outdoor heat pump units.

Stay Warm and Cozy this Fall

Choosing the right system is essential for a comfortable fall and winter season. Whether you opt for forced air heating, a furnace, a boiler, a heat pump, a ductless mini-split, or geothermal options, each option has its benefits. Consider your home’s size, energy efficiency, fuel type, cost considerations, and environmental impact when making your decision. And don’t forget to schedule professional heating services with North Shore Home Energy to ensure your system is ready to keep you warm and cozy. With the right solutions in place, you can look forward to a comfortable and enjoyable fall season. 

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By brenna@admachines.com

How Much Does Mini Split Installation Cost: Complete Guide

Apr 11, 2023

How Much Does Mini Split Installation Cost: Complete Guide

  • Cooling
  • Heating
  • Indoor Air Quality
How Much Does Mini Split Installation Cost Complete Guide - North Shore Home Energy

Mini split systems are a popular heating and cooling option for homeowners due to their efficiency and ease of use. If you’re considering installing a mini split system in your home, one of the most important factors to consider is the installation cost. In this blog post, we’ll provide a complete guide on costs and what factors affect the cost.

How Much Does Mini Split Installation Cost?

The cost of mini split installation varies depending on several factors such as the size of the unit, the complexity of the installation, and the location. On average, mini split installation costs between $3,000 and $8,000, including both materials and labor. However, the price can be higher or lower depending on the factors that we’ll discuss in the following sections.

Installation Cost Chart

The installation cost of a mini split system can vary based on several factors. The following chart shows the average cost range based on different factors:

Mini Split Pricing Table, Differentiating Feature, size, climate, energy efficiently, cost range - Standard, pro residential, commercial
Mini Split Pricing Table

Other Factors That Affect the Cost

Several other factors affect the cost, including the size of the unit, the number of indoor units, the type of installation, and the location. Additionally, the complexity of the installation, the accessibility of the installation site, and the labor costs can also affect the overall cost.

Additional Costs to Consider When Installing a Mini Split System

When installing a mini split system, there are additional costs to consider, such as the cost of electrical work, the cost of a new thermostat, and the cost of maintenance. These costs can vary based on the complexity of the installation and the size of the unit.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Mini Split Installation

By understanding the factors that affect the cost, you can budget and plan for the installation of a mini-split system more effectively. Don’t forget to consider the additional costs when installing a mini split system to ensure that you’re fully prepared for the overall cost. Contact North Shore Home Energy for more information on installing your new mini split system.

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By nshec

5 Fast, Easy Tips For Ductless AC Maintenance

Jun 20, 2022

5 Fast, Easy Tips For Ductless AC Maintenance

  • Cooling
ductless AC maintenance

A ductless AC is extremely handy for homeowners looking for a more focused cooling effort in their home. Whether it’s a home office, a living room, bedroom, ductless ACs are fantastic for cooling the most-used areas of your abode with minimal costs to your overall energy bill. With some proper maintenance and TLC, your ductless AC can and will serve you well for years on end. But you need to know how to take care of it.

Keep the Exterior Unit Clean

As you’re probably aware, your ductless unit is comprised of the interior unit responsible for blowing the cool air into your home and the exterior unit where the air comes from. As it’s outside, the latter component is exposed to the elements on a regular basis. Rain, snow, sleet, animals, you name it your outdoor unit has to deal with it. An occasional sweeping of it, clearing it of debris, dust, and accumulated dirt. While you may not think so, keeping the exterior unit clean saves you and HVAC techs a huge amount of headache later on when you need more in-depth service.

Check the Filters

Filters prevent harmful, nasty particles from flowing through your HVAC systems. Things like dust, pet dander and even bacteria and viruses get caught in the filter and stop circulating in your home. That’s only if you have a functioning filter, however. Old filters get clogged up with gunk and refuse over time and stop working, allowing all manner of particles to float through your home.  Thankfully, replacing your filters is a pretty easy process you can do with even a small amount of HVAC know-how. Depending on your unit, you may even be able to clean the filter you have with a dry cloth. The intrepid homeowner is going to want to check their air filters every month and a half or so.

Clear the Area Around the Interior Unit

While not nearly as bulky as other varieties of air conditioner, ductless ACs need some room to breathe.  The interior unit needs a good amount of wall space to operate to the best of its ability. About four feet in every direction (aside from the wall itself) should be sufficient space to ensure optimal cooling. Make sure things like book cases, wall-mounted televisions, sofas, and framed photos are well out of the way from your AC to ensure nothing goes awry.

A Clean Condenser is a Functional Condenser

You may think internal cleaning is beyond what you’re capable of as a homeowner. So long as you know what you’re doing and are safe, personal cleaning of your ductless unit can be an extremely beneficial way to increase its lifespan and make it run smoother longer. Before you do anything, make sure the unit is completely powered down to avoid damaging components, or worse, injuring yourself. Once the condenser is powered down, you can use your garden hose (at low pressure) to clean off any accumulated dirt and debris from the unit. If left unchecked, this can clog up your fans and impede your AC’s ability to function properly. Once the water is dry, make sure the fins did not bend (they can be realigned with a simple alignment comb) and dust off any remaining matter by hand.

Call a Professional For a Regular Tune-up

We here at North Shore are all for the DIY spirit. But some things do require a professional touch. Calling out an HVAC tech every once in a while for a regularly scheduled inspection will help identify and isolate issues as they appear and before they snowball out of control. A visit from your friendly neighborhood HVAC professional every so often can save you a lot of money and headache down the line.

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ductless AC maintenance  ductless ac maintenance 

By nshec

4 Signs That A Ductless Mini-Split AC May Be Right For You

Jul 21, 2021

4 Signs That A Ductless Mini-Split AC May Be Right For You

  • Cooling
ductless mini-split

There are a lot of options out there for cooling systems. You have the standard central air systems, evaporative coolers, and even the classic window units. And that’s just scratching the surface of the deep, deep rabbit hole that is the air conditioner market. An often-overlooked variety is the ductless mini-split, which shares qualities of the other more traditional systems.  They are similar to central air systems in their shared indoor air-handling unit as well as an outdoor compressor/condenser. The conduit links the two parts of the system together and contains the refrigerant tubing, power cables, condensate drain and suction tubing. Ductless mini-splits are an increasingly popular choice amongst homeowners in the North Shore area, so we’ve complied a short list of signs that you may want to look at a ductless mini-split.

Your Energy Bill is too High

Money makes the world go round, and there are certainly some financial incentives to adopting a ductless system. Ducted systems, while they have their benefits, aren’t always the most efficient option. With a ductless mini-split, energy loss is generally less than with a ducted system, where losses can be up to 30%. Saving that much on energy costs is nothing to joke about, and will eventually result in a net gain on you finances. Granted, the system does require more regular maintenance than the standard central air system, which mainly consists of a monthly filter care to maintain air quality. But when boiled down to a choice between a higher energy bill or a little more time on maintenance, most folks should be able to make up their minds.

Your Space is not Duct-Friendly

Some spaces are just not constructed in such a way that makes duct work financially realistic. In some cases, especially in certain older buildings, installing ducts may even be impossible.  For those older structures, mobile homes, and newly constructed home additions, a ductless mini-split solution is your best bet for maximum comfort. While we’re on the topic of space, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention how space-friendly ductless mini-split systems are. They can be mounted in any number of ways, including, but not limited to, flush-mounted on the ceiling, hung from the wall or suspended from the ceiling. The sleekly designed Mitsubishi Electric model, in particular, fits in subtly in any environment, and can be unobtrusively installed most anywhere that suits your needs.

You Need to Closely Control the Temperature in a Smaller Area

Ductless mini-split systems are at their strongest when used within a compact space. Depending on need, you may require multiple units to cover a greater area. Alternatively, you may elect to only cool certain high-traffic areas of the home.  Mini-splits offer a great deal of customization and control on the user-end, and can even be programmed to only turn on when the building is occupied, or on a schedule.

You want a system that runs cleaner

You don’t need to be one of our expertly-trained HVAC techs to know: sometimes air ducts can get downright filthy. Air ducts are notorious for being one of the primary areas for a buildup of dust, dirt, pollen, and other contaminants which may be harmful to your health. Ducts require frequent cleaning to maintain interior air quality and ensure occupant safety.  Eschewing ducts altogether, a mini-split denies these harmful materials an easy place to buildup and accumulate over time and also eliminates the need to frequent professional cleanings.

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By nshec