“Heat pumps outsold gas furnaces for the first time in the US last year”. That’s how James Darius Ball, Director, Buildings begins his 9/7/23 article in Energy Weekly.
He lists 8 key points that should be taken into account when installing heat pumps. I’ve summarized them here for you. The full article is linked below and well worth reading.
- Take note of the building envelope. Insulation matters and points the reader towards the Icebox challenge.
- Size matters. By size, he is referring to the load specified for the heat pump. Don’t under/oversize your equipment. For context, a typical single-family home will need a 3 – 5 ton system while an office building may need 30 – 50 tons of heating and cooling capacity. A system that is too small will run continuously and one that is too large, will short cycle. Both outcomes mean your using way more energy than necessary to properly condition your space.
But wait, there’s more…
- Heat pump efficiency. heat pumps are rated. Higher number are better. Read the article to understand this more clearly.
- Heat pump speed controls. Heat pumps come with different speed settings which are related to proper sizing of the unit. Heat pumps are most efficient when they run consistently at a low speed. A system with variable settings allows the unit to optimize.
- Pay attention to your ductwork. Make sure they aren’t leaking and if they are situated near the building exterior, they need to be insulated to avoid sweating which leads to mold and expensive repairs. So get it right the first time.
- Climate matters, a lot. Your heat pump needs to be matched to your climate zone.
- Maintain your system so you don’t leak dangerous greenhouse gases and your system runs at its most optimal. Annual maintenance contracts are your friend.
- Choose a company that has built a solid reputation for quality work.