Quote:
Originally Posted by strider3700
I'm just wondering if minisplits are that much more efficient or if it's a size/insulation level thing.
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Yes, mini-splits really are that much more efficient.
They were pretty much developed in Asia, where cheap energy is not abundant, but technical talent is.
The technical improvements in mini-splits, most notably variable speed compressors (AKA: Inverter Technology) are not yet available in whole house systems, although sales literature that describes it is available.
If you might be investigating the mini-split option, be advised that most sales people are fixated on SEER, which is an index that mostly applies to the heat pump's cooling efficiency.
FYI, the specification you would want to focus on is HSPF, which stands for Heating Season Performance Factor. If you divide this by 3.412, you will get the heating season average COP. This will let you compare whole house heat pump efficiency with mini-split heat pumps.
-AC_Hacker