Ductless Mini Splits VS Space Heaters

Even in homes that have a central heating system, we hear about people who love to use space heaters. Maybe they just like it to be a little toastier in certain spaces, or the central heating just isn’t getting the job done. As much as we understand someone using a space heater to warm a room, we have a better option in mind: ductless mini splits. 

The experts here at Compass Heating and Air have installed hundreds of ductless mini splits, and we know the ins and outs of the system. In this article, we’ll compare ductless mini splits and space heaters, focusing on their pros and cons, and examine why ductless mini-splits might be a more efficient and safer option for heating (and cooling) your space.

If you live in the Fox River Valley and are thinking about a ductless mini split for your home, give us a call at (630) 504-8688, or contact us online. The HVAC experts here at Compass can give you a free estimate on a new ductless mini split! 

The Pros of Space Heaters

Space heaters have been used in homes for years, and with good reason. Even though they aren’t the best option to heat your space, there are some clear benefits that come along with a space heater. 

Inexpensive to Purchase

One of the primary reasons people opt for space heaters is their affordability. Space heaters come in various models and price ranges, often costing as little as $40 for a basic space heater. This makes them an attractive option for people needing a quick, cost-effective way to warm up a room without investing in more expensive HVAC equipment. Especially if they already have a central heating system that just isn’t getting the job done.Space heaters are also portable, and easy to move around from space to space, depending on where you want the heat. Space heaters are a cheap, quick fix for a cold spot. 

Provide Immediate Heat

Another notable advantage of space heaters is their ability to provide immediate warmth. When you turn on a space heater, it starts generating heat within seconds, making it perfect for those who need a quick temperature boost in a single room. 

With a whole home solution like a furnace, it’s going to take some time for the unit to start heating every space in your home. A space heater will be able to provide warmth the minute you start using it. This immediate heat can be particularly beneficial on chilly mornings or in uninsulated rooms that get cold quickly, like a garage or a shed. 

The Cons of Space Heaters

Even though space heaters may be inexpensive and give you some immediate warmth, there’s a reason you don’t see them all over the place. There are a bunch of drawbacks to space heaters that don’t make them perfectly ideal as a whole home heating solution. 

Dangerous Operation

Unfortunately, space heaters come with some significant safety risks. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), space heaters are responsible for around 1,700 fires per year, often due to improper usage, placement, or device malfunction. Many space heaters have hot surfaces that can cause burns if touched accidentally. Furthermore, if placed too close to flammable materials like curtains, furniture, or bedding, they can ignite a fire. 

Luckily more space heaters today are built with automatic tip-over shut off capabilities. This means if it falls over, it will shut off rather than burn whatever it falls on. But still, if you have a pet or kid who accidentally puts something on the unit, it can be a hazard. In general, space heaters are not as dangerous as they once were, but still come with some risks. 

Uneven Heating

Space heaters are usually designed to warm a specific area, not an entire room. Even though this is alright in some cases, it isn’t always ideal. The area directly around the heater becomes very warm, sometimes too warm, while the rest of the room may remain chilly. You really have to find that sweet spot.

This can be uncomfortable for larger rooms or rooms with multiple people. The space heater may work for some people right around it, but not for everyone. And you really don’t want to use multiple space heaters in one room. This can suck up energy and become another fire hazard. 

Take Up Space

No matter how small of a space heater you are using, it’s taking up some “space”. Usually you just place them throughout the room, and they stand upright. Some wave from side to side. No matter what the dimensions, these units tend to take up some space. 

Many units require ample space around them to operate safely, which means you’ll need to clear out space for your heater and ensure nothing is nearby that could pose a fire hazard. This is why you hope a space heater is a temporary solution. You don’t want to have to use these units all winter long, making them a permanent fixture in your home. 

Why Ductless Mini Splits Are a Better Option Than Space Heaters

If you are using space heaters and thinking of upgrading to ductless mini splits, there are plenty of good reasons. These systems are becoming more and more popular in homes and businesses in our area, and here are the reasons why: 

Improved Heating

Ductless mini-splits, which operate as heat pumps, provide superior heating compared to space heaters. These systems use an outdoor compressor and an indoor unit to deliver heated air directly into the room, offering consistent and even warmth throughout the space.

Unlike space heaters, which only heat a specific area, ductless mini-splits evenly distribute warm air throughout the room. Instead of having one space in the room that’s very warm, and the rest being cool, ductless mini splits make sure the entire space is comfortable. 

Energy Efficient

One of the other fantastic benefits of a ductless mini splits is how energy efficient it operates.  Most space heaters consume a significant amount of electricity to provide heat, making them expensive to operate if you use them all the time. 

Ductless mini-splits on the other hand, are designed with advanced technology that allows them to use significantly less energy while providing the same, if not more, heating power. Many ductless systems are also equipped with inverter technology, which allows them to adjust their speed, rather than simply being off or on. This makes it more comfortable, and also saves energy. This energy efficiency not only helps lower utility bills but also has a positive impact on the environment.

Can Both Heat and Cool

Another major advantage of ductless mini-splits is their ability to heat and cool. Unlike space heaters, which can only provide heat, ductless mini-splits offer both heating and cooling options. This makes them a valuable, year-round solution for temperature control, as they can keep your home comfortable regardless of the season. 

In lots of rooms that need space heaters, window AC units are also normally an option for cooling. This can be frustrating, and means you need 2 different cumbersome units for your space. Instead, a ductless mini split will take care of both heating and cooling, without you having to do a thing but set the thermostat! 

Safe Operation

Unlike space heaters that can be a safety hazard, ductless mini splits operate like heat pumps. They use electricity just like a space heater, but don’t burn fuel like a traditional heating system, and they don’t have a heated surface the way a space heater does. These are some of the safest heating systems you can install in your home. 

Save Space

Ductless mini splits hang on the wall, are mounted in the ceiling, or mounted on the floor. They are out of the way, and also make barely any noise. This is very different from a space heater that takes up room in your room, or a window AC that makes a ton of noise. These ductless mini splits are some of the best technology not only because of their performance, but also because of the convenience like this, being out of the way and barely noticeable!

So Should You Install Ductless Mini Splits Or Use Space Heaters? 

We do understand that space heaters are less expensive, and much easier to get than a ductless mini split, we usually lean towards using mini splits in your home. If you tend to use space heaters a lot in the winter, consider a ductless mini split. 

We recommend having a professional look at your home. If you already have a central heating system, you may simply need a fix to your ductwork, or improve the insulation in a certain area instead of using a space heater. But, if you want to make a serious improvement to your home, a ductless mini split could be the way to go. 

No matter what the solution is, Compass heating and Air is here to help. Give us a call at (630) 504-8688, or contact us online!