- Why use a heat pump?
- What is a heat pump?
- Why install a heat pump in your home?
- How to choose the best heat pump for you?
- Installing a wall-mounted heat pump?
- Where to buy a heat pump?
Heat Pumps: How to Choose a Heat Pump?
Nowadays, more and more people consider heat pumps a viable addition to furnaces and other heating systems. And it’s no wonder: heat pumps are highly efficient and cheaper to operate than traditional systems. In this article, we will examine the basics of how heat pumps work and explore some of the reasons why they are becoming so popular.
Keep reading to learn more about the amazing efficiency of heat pumps!
What is the Use of a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is a refrigeration device that helps regulate the temperature of a room by circulating warm or cold air as needed. This type of heat pump is wall-mounted, making it ideal for any space. Moreover, heat pumps are generally more energy-efficient than other heating and cooling systems. If you live in a house without central heating, installing one of these systems will allow you to keep your rooms temperate and comfortable, both in summer and winter.
What is a Heat Pump?
The heat pump is a refrigeration device that transfers heat from one place to another. It can be used as an auxiliary heating system and an air conditioner while consuming less energy than traditional heating.
Heat pumps work by extracting heat from the air and transferring it to the building using a refrigerant. In summer, the process is reversed, and the heat pump can be used for air conditioning.
Regardless of the type used, all heat pumps work by transferring thermal energy from one space or medium to another to regulate indoor temperature and air circulation.
Why Install a Heat Pump in Your Home?
Heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular in Quebec due to their high efficiency and low carbon footprint. With electric heating, 100% of the energy consumed is converted into thermal energy. Some heat pumps have performance coefficients of more than 3.8, meaning that for 1 kW of energy consumed, the heat pump can give you up to 3.8 kW of thermal energy. Moreover, various heat pump subsidies are available to help you access them!
How to Choose a Heat Pump for You?
The lifespan of a heat pump is generally between 10 and 15 years.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind before buying a heat pump. First, your electrical input must be able to support the connection of a heat pump, which is generally the case.
Next, before making your choice, check with your municipality for regulations regarding the noise and placement of a heat pump.
Finally, for more information on maintaining your heat pump, check out the “How to Maintain Your Heat Pump?” section on our website. When purchasing a heat pump, look for the international ENERGY STAR® symbol or, even better, choose a heat pump recognized as low-temperature by the NEEP organization.
The Following Information Will be Useful to Your Consultant to Guide You to the Right Heat Pump According to Your Needs:
- The dimensions of your home are important when choosing a heat pump. The wrong size can make the installation process difficult and costly, so it is best to measure before buying!
- Consider if a lot of sunlight enters your home.
- You must tell the consultant what you need and what you expect from a heat pump so that they can find the best one for you (sound, air quality, etc.).
- Determine your budget.
- Take the time to see if subsidies are available from your retailer.
What Features Should You Consider?
- Choose a heat pump powerful enough to meet the needs of a home but not so powerful that it becomes counterproductive.
- The SEER/RES energy efficiency rating measures your heat pump’s efficiency during different seasons. It is important to know the expected seasonal yields for each season to plan accordingly and ensure you don’t waste money on electricity!
- A heat pump’s efficiency is determined by two factors: temperature and energy consumption. The EER/RE index considers these two aspects, but it is important to note that this number represents only one element; your home may require more than one device to cool all rooms comfortably in hot weather (high indoor temperatures).
- The higher the number, the better! A heat pump’s performance is measured by its coefficient of performance (HSPF/CPSC). This coefficient influences the heat pump’s efficiency at different temperatures.
- All brand- or product-specific variables, such as inverter technology.
Are You Installing a Wall-Mounted Heat Pump?
Installation usually takes about half a day. The whole process usually takes between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the complexity of the installer’s work. Hiring a local professional heat pump supplier is very important.
Heat Pumps Indoors
The best place for your wall-mounted heat pump is on a wall facing the outside. This will make it easier to run the piping from inside your house.
- Place it in large rooms or spaces to maximize its efficiency. Do not install a heat pump in a confined space, as this may affect its performance.
- It is important to place your heat pump so that air can circulate properly. The ideal location for a wall-mounted heat pump is on an exterior wall near a window. This will allow air to circulate evenly throughout the room, providing optimal comfort.
Heat Pumps Outdoors
The outdoor unit of the heat pump is usually positioned on the same wall as the indoor unit, preferably installed on supports fixed to the concrete foundation.
The outdoor unit can also be installed on slabs with ground support. If you have a propane tank, it must be installed at least 10 feet away and 3 feet away from the electrical input. The outdoor unit can be installed under an open balcony about 48 inches high to meet the necessary clearances.
Where to Buy a Heat Pump?
When buying a heat pump for your home, it is essential to be very careful in choosing the manufacturer, retailer, installer, and maintenance services.
Numerous fraudulent practices have been observed in Quebec, including itinerant salespeople who sell overpriced and poor-quality heat pumps, shoddy installation work that makes systems faulty or inefficient, warranties that are not honored by the manufacturer or retailer, and excessive fees for substandard services. Therefore, it is important to be aware of these issues when considering buying a heat pump for your home.
By exercising due diligence in researching potential manufacturers, retailers, installers, and maintenance service providers, you can protect yourself against lucrative but ultimately dishonest practices.
Conclusion
Installing a heat pump is one of the best decisions you can make for your home. Not only do they provide consistent heating and cooling, but they also help you save on your energy bill. If you’re still not sure whether a heat pump is the right solution for you, our team can help.
Find a Branch!
Visit us at one of these branches:
