Installation heat pump

They are more efficient than air-to-water systems but are more expensive to install as they require excavation and a good bit of space. There are established brands in the market, the main two being Daikin and Mitsubishi. However, many of the fossil-fuel boiler manufacturers are starting to produce heat pumps, as oil and gas boilers will be phased out over the next few years. Compare the specifications of each unit and note any differences in efficiency.

Always check with your installer to get their advice on the most suitable system for your home. To maximise the efficiency of your heat pump, it is important your home is very well insulated and draught-proofed. If you are applying for the single grant measure from SEAI for a heat pump, you will need to have a technical assessment done to establish whether your home is sufficiently well insulated to run a heat pump efficiently.

This assessment measures the heat loss in your house. A heat pump will work with steel radiators. Heat pumps typically work best with underfloor heating or large radiators because of their lower operating temperature requirements. Your installer will carry out a survey of your existing system to check its compatibility. This is where the existing pipework is located, making it less costly and disruptive to install. You can put them anywhere, but these two locations are the most straightforward.

Take5: A hideaway in Romania or a chateau apartment needing renovation in France. Please update your payment details to keep enjoying your Irish Times subscription. How to choose and install a heat pump Sort it: Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient, green way to warm your home Thu, Jan 13, , How do heat pumps work? What are the main types of heat pumps? There are two main types of heat pumps: air to water or air to ground.

New to Market. Commercial Property. More CAO options for students with inclusion of further education and training.

How language research is changing lives in Northern Ireland. Setting out a roadmap to zero carbon with solar. I see that some of your pictures show the need for periodic cleaning and maintenance.

Some questions. When the HVAC guy wants to add a new starting capacitor where none existed before, is it a worthwhile purchase? Why is it that no one sells a set of pressure-temperature-voltage-flow gages that can be permanently installed in these systems to allow us to monitor their performance? And is it really worthwhile to reuse the high pressure lines — microscopic corrosion is not an issue?

While I agree with the other posters that this is too much for a DIY homeowner, I enjoyed the article. It was a good example of when I should not try to do the repair myself and call a professional. Between the lack of proper tools and knowledge, replacing a heat pump like this is clearly something I would not want to take on.

Nice follow, Ethan. Keep up the good work! Do you use purple primer on the PVC connections? I have had good luck with the stuff, but from the pics it only looks like you used cement. Or maybe you are just better at hiding your work than I am. There always seems to be a purple seam where the cement oozes out… advice?

Is purple primer not necessary here? By far, one of the most informative and highest detailed write-ups about heat pump installation! Kudos to you guys for the great article. As stated before, this is definitely not a diy project. A few questions and concerns I have after looking at the pictures.

When brazing the joints, did the installers purge the line with nitrogen? Also, did they wrap the valves with wet rags while brazing? Those valves especially the schraeder core valves can be damaged and begin to leak if not protected. Name required. Mail will not be published required. Hi, we're Ethan, Jocie, Kim and Fred. Over the last eight years we've documented hundreds of home improvement and DIY craft projects along with many tool and material reviews.

Thanks for visiting! Share 2. Joe says:. May 29, at am. Ethan says:. MissFixIt says:. Steven B says:. May 29, at pm. Icarus says:. John D says:. May 30, at am. Fargin says:. Heat pumps move heat rather than generate it, so they can heat and cool for significantly less cost than other systems, such as furnaces and central air conditioners. Heat pump systems offer an efficient alternative to central air conditioners and other heating systems by providing conditioned air at approximately one quarter of the cost.

They provide not only heat to a home, but can also can be used to cool a home and control humidity. Heat pumps are most popular in southern regions where winters are mild and the summers are hot.

Areas of the country subjected to prolonged winters and subfreezing temperatures are not ideal for this type of system. Find Local Contractors. The condenser, compressor and reversing valve — make up the outside unit.

The evaporator and air handler — are part of the inside air handler unit. These are air source heat pumps, mini-split ductless heat pumps, and also the more expensive geothermal heat pump.

If you need help deciding which type of heat pump to install talk to one of our local heat pump installation contractors today. Air-source heat pump systems are the most common option a homeowner will choose to install in their home if they currently have ductwork in place.

An air source heat pump has an indoor air handler unit and also an outdoor heat pumping unit. They use the same vents and ducts that a furnace or central air conditioner would use. They are often suited for climates that are found in the Northeast and Midwest regions. Many homeowners choose to use a heat pump in combination with a central ac unit or furnace since they are much cheaper to operate and only utilizing your furnace during times above average cold temperatures. They are perfect for homes that have no ductwork installed.

Ductless heat pumps can offer full home air conditioning with multiple zone units installed in different rooms throughout the house. A ground and water source heat pump, also known as geothermal heat pump installations , are another option for heat pump replacement.

Geothermal heat pumps are better suited for bigger homes that need a heating and cooling unit that can perform at maximum capacity for a large home. It is best to speak with a local contractor to see if you need this type of heat pump for your home or if you could install a cheaper option that would work just as well. Installing a heat pump will save you money, especially on future energy bills. Since heat pumps do not use electricity to create heat they operate at a much higher energy efficiency.

If you live in an area with mild climates, air source heat pump can be extremely helpful in lowering energy bills. A geothermal heat pump, though the most expensive to install, is the most energy efficient heat pump installation option. To determine the size of heat pump you should install in your home, you will want to know the square footage of the areas that need to be heated or cooled. You will also need to use the climate map below to determine what climate zone you live in.

If you lived in the southern part of the U.