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8 Things To Consider Before Getting A Heat Pump Installed

Heat pumps offer excellent, efficient choices for maintaining interior thermal comfort throughout the year, in almost every season. A heat pump has cooling functions similar to an air conditioner. Apart from that, it is also capable of generating heat.

During winter, this appliance extracts heat from the exterior air and transfers it inside. Conversely, during the summer months, extract heat from the indoor air to maintain a comfortable, cool temperature inside.

Usually, heat pumps are powered by electricity. They transfer and transmit heat using a refrigerant to provide thermal comfort throughout the year.  Since heat pumps can handle both heating and cooling requirements, you might not need to install two separate systems for artificial heating and cooling purposes. In extremely cold climatic zones, you can install an electric strip on the indoor fan coil for additional heating.

The most interesting part is that heat pumps don’t rely on fossil fuel for operation, unlike furnaces– making them more eco-friendly and efficient.

If you plan to purchase and install a heat pump, you are not alone. Many Americans are gradually shifting to heat pumps for their heating and cooling requirements, given its plethora of benefits. Learn more about HVAC and plumbing services.

However, before you jump on to purchasing and installing a hand pump, consider the following factors.

8 Things to consider before getting a heat pump installed

The associated costs

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Heat pumps and energy-efficient heating and cooling systems. The general rule is that the more you invest initially, the less you will need to pay for operation, maintenance and upkeep in the upcoming period.

This rule holds very true for heat pumps. Although the heat pump will cost you more than a traditional air conditioner, you will enjoy significant savings in energy costs over an extended period.

Also, energy-efficient systems tend to last longer, thus giving you a considerable investment return. The installation also involves the requirement of specially skilled engineers. Specialized skill typically comes at a higher cost. Therefore, it is recommended that you plan out a budget before installing heat pumps on your property.

A reputable and reliable installation services

Always consider a reputable, certified engineer for installing your heat pump. A reputable installer generally has completed certain training, follows the best codes of conduct, and complies with industry standards.

Not all installers fulfill this criterion. Therefore ensure to research before hiring an installation service provider.

Go through the customer reviews to get an understanding of a company’s customer service. It is generally recommended that you get a quote from two to three installers and compare the value they offer before making a final choice.

The type of heat pump you want to install

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You’ll find various types of heat pumps on the market. Which one should you choose?

  • Air-source ducted and ductless mini splits are the two most popular variants.
  • The first one transmits heat from the exterior environment to keep your home comfortable and cozy during the cold season and expels heat from the indoors during warm weather.
  • Mini-splits function in a similar fashion but aren’t designed with ducts. This variant is usually the most efficient system available on the market today.

Each type has benefits and disadvantages. You can connect with professional HVAC experts to understand your home’s heating and cooling requirements and then choose a variant.

Home insulation efficiency

A pivotal factor determining a heat pump’s efficiency is how well-insulated your home is. After all, you don’t want all the cozy warm air escaping quickly through the leaking windows, roof, or walls. The quality of your home’s insulation will also determine the size of the heat pump you need.

If your house is poorly insulated and has air leaks, you may need to introduce some insulation modifications before installing a heat pump.

The heat pump’s Coefficient of Performance (CoP)

Don’t get overwhelmed by the fancy jargon. It is simply a technical term for defining the efficiency of a heat pump.

Heat pumps are generally extremely efficient. In most models, for a single unit of electricity, heat pumps are capable of generating 3.5 times heat. Therefore, the Coefficient of Performance, or CoP, would be 3.5.

So the greater a heat pump’s CoP, the more functional efficiency it offers at converting electricity into heat. Not all heat pump variants and models are designed the same, so check when you’re buying your unit.

Requirement of a dual fuel system

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The heat pump functions exceptionally well above the freezing temperature. These heating and cooling systems generally come with electric heat strips to provide additional heating efficiency in below-freezing temperatures. The heat strips require additional electrical energy.

Therefore, if your residential area has high electric costs, You might want to consider a dual fuel system. With this mechanism, a heat pump’s heating efficiency is supplemented with a natural gas or propane furnace.

During freezing temperatures, your supplemental furnace heating will automatically turn on, and the entire system will function in hybrid mode. The dual fuel system offers the greatest efficiency for maintaining thermal comfort in every climatic condition.

Adapt renewable resources as much as possible

Heat pumps represent one of the most efficient, sustainable, eco-friendly heating and cooling systems. However, it requires a certain amount of electricity to operate.

If you have a flexible budget, you can combine other renewable techniques, such as installing solar roofing or solar panels, to generate electricity and switch to a completely renewable source.

Type of thermostat

Apart from the heat pump, your technician can also install new controls for managing your thermal system. You can select a basic remote control, programmable, or WiFi-powered smart thermostat based on your individual requirement.

  • Basic remote control thermostats are one of the simplest designs with basic controls.
  • Programmable thermostats enable automatic adjustment of the interior temperature during different hours of the day to reduce energy costs.
  • WiFi thermostats function similarly to a standard or programmable control with additional remote management access via a smartphone application.

Conclusion

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These factors don’t just make your installation process simpler but can also save your hard-earned money. Connect with an HVAC installation expert to understand your home’s heating and cooling requirements and make an informed decision accordingly.