Why Homeowners Should Invest in a Portable Heat Pump

Central heat pump and mini-split systems have been in the news for some time now as energy-efficient alternatives to traditional gas and electric furnaces. But when my housemates and I inquired about a mini-split system for our California home, we found the cost of professional installation to be daunting upwards of $12,000, and that’s taking into account the 30 percent government rebate.

Isn’t there any way, we wondered, to take advantage of heat pump technology without taking out a home improvement loan?

Turns out, there is. Heat pumps are basically air conditioners that can run in reverse. Like air conditioners, manufacturers make models that fit in windows or sit on casters, ready to be rolled into rooms that most need the heat. The latter are what are called portable heat pumps, and to me, they seemed like an energy dream come true: Gas-free heating at a fraction of the operating cost of a conventional electric resistance heater.

I talked my friend, who was in the market for a new room heater, into buying one. Together, we unpacked it and tried it out. My first impressions were positive, and I interviewed three HVAC and home improvement professionals to compare perspectives. If, like me, you’re looking for low-cost electric heat without the hefty installation costs, and you think a portable heat pump might be the answer, you might be right, but based on what I found out, it depends on your climate and heating needs.

Can a Portable Heat Pump Heat a Whole House?

It would have to be a small house. The unit we tested is rated for 14,000 BTU, which sounds like a big number, but is actually only capable of heating a 500- to 700-square-foot space. It made the large, poorly insulated room in which we were testing it toasty warm in less than 10 minutes, but the outside temperature was hovering at about 45 degrees, which would be considered warm in a more northerly climate.

As Glenn Wiseman, an HVAC pro from frigid Ottawa pointed out: “They’re best suited for mild climates or as a backup option. If you’re looking for consistent, whole-home comfort, you might find them falling short.”

Virginia-based HVAC pro Andrew Hancock echoed this: “A portable heat pump is the best choice if you’re working with a room between 300 and 600 square feet if winters in your area don’t get colder than 40F.”

Living in coastal California, I can’t test the efficacy of a portable heat pump in below-freezing weather. But based on the advice of Wiseman and Hancock, I would think twice about relying on one in sub-zero temperatures. It goes without saying that one unit wouldn’t supply enough heat for a large house in any conditions.

Pros of Portable Heat Pumps

There’s a lot to like about portable heat pumps, which is why I was determined to try one out. Some of the good stuff includes:

• Energy efficiency: British home renovator Myles Robinson notes: “Heat pump technology essentially transfers heat rather than generating it, which uses less electricity overall.” The Frigidaire unit we tested consumes 1,050 watts, compared to 1,500 watts for a typical resistive heater.
• Portability: “Whether you’re working in your home office during the day or relaxing in the living room in the evening,” says Robinson, “you can wheel it around to wherever you need warmth. That flexibility is hard to beat.” There’s an important caveat, however, that we’ll discuss below.
• Cooling mode: A heat pump running in heating mode is basically an air conditioner running in reverse. In cooling mode, it returns to being an air conditioner and keeps you comfortable in hot weather.
• Dehumidification: The heat exchange process removes moisture from the air. This can be a plus or a minus depending on the overall room climate, but considering the damage moisture can do to a house, it’s usually a plus.

Cons of Portable Heat Pumps

No heating technology is perfect, and some of the problems associated with heat pumps make them unsuitable for some situations.

• Venting requirement: The heat exchange process generates cold air that has to be vented outside, usually through a window. Robinson points out the obvious fact that this limits their portability because they need to be near a window that opens wide enough to accept the insert for the vent hose that comes with the unit. “If the venting isn’t properly sealed, you could lose some of the heat you’re trying to generate,” he said. Plus, there’s that hard-to-miss vent hose, which does nothing for your home decor.
• Less effective in cold climates: Wiseman and Hancock both mentioned that portable heat pumps work best in moderate climates. Hancock states point-blank: “Portable heat pumps struggle in extreme cold and become nearly useless. So, if your winters are harsh, avoid a portable heat pump and choose a space heater.” That’s a harsh assessment with which I don’t totally agree.
• Drainage requirement: All that water that a heat pump removes from the air has to go somewhere. Most units come with two drain openings, one at the bottom for manual drainage and one located higher up on the housing for attaching a drain hose. In our test, we found that water accumulated too quickly for manual drainage to be practical, making a drain hose a virtual necessity. This creates extra concern about where to direct the hose.
• Noise: The compressor is as loud as that of a conventional air conditioner definitely louder than a space heater.

Is a Portable Heat Pump a Good Investment?

A heat pump is perfect for my heating needs. Where I live, we don’t have freezing temperatures, although it does get uncomfortably cold, and I have a small, 400-square-foot space with a window in just the right place. I calculate that the heat pump will save two-thirds of the energy I’ve been using to run my space heater, and according to my test, I expect it to keep the room warmer.

For someone who lives in a large house in a colder climate, a portable heat pump probably wouldn’t work as a primary heat source. However, as Wiseman pointed out, when you need heat to supplement an underperforming central heating system, it could work quite well, as long as you don’t mind a little noise. It draws and amplifies heat from the indoor air, which is already somewhat warmer than the air outside. In freezing weather, it might even work better than a conventional heat pump, which draws heat from much colder outdoor air.

In other words, if you live in a northern climate, don’t expect a portable heat pump to keep you warm on its own. However, if you’ve been using space heaters to take out the chill in your underheated house, you could lower your energy costs considerably by switching to a portable heat pump.

About the Experts

• Glenn Wiseman is the sales manager at Top Hat Home Comfort Services, which offers a wide range of professional home improvement, repair and maintenance services, including HVAC service and repair.
• Andrew Hancock is the CEO of Gilman Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, a respected company in Virginia known for its century-long history in home comfort services.
• Myles Robinson is a home improvement specialist with 15 years experience and CEO of UK Composite Doors.

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