Cold Weather Tips for Installing a Heat Pump

Heat pumps are now a viable option in very cold weather. For decades, heat pumps were primarily installed where winter temperatures rarely dipped too far below freezing. This was for 2 reasons. First, heat pump systems don’t work well, if at all, when temperatures get very cold. That part hasn’t changed – they still become inefficient and eventually ineffective in very cold weather. But the problem has been solved with the advent of dual fuel heat pumps.

Secondly, older heat pump technology didn’t create very warm air at the heating grate. Homes would take a long time to warm up in cold weather, and the heat wasn’t very comfortable. That part has changed, and heat pumps can now generate temperatures in excess of 90 degrees F at the heating grate.

Cold Climate Dual Fuel Heat Pumps

Dual fuel heat pumps are designed specifically for colder climates. The terms dual fuel and hybrid heat refer to the same technology. These are heat pumps that can be installed in a split system along with a gas furnace. The heat pump does the heating until outside temperatures fall into the 30s. The system is programmed to have the gas furnace take over at that point and do the heating until temperatures rise out of the 30s.

The exact temperature at which the system switches from one form of heat to the other can be programmed. The system then does it automatically – it doesn’t require a manual switch by the homeowner.

Why not just have a gas furnace in those climates and skip the heat pump? The reason is that heat pumps cost far less to operate than gas furnaces. They are much more efficient. For example, a 9.5 HSPF heat pump will heat 2.5 to 3 times more efficiently than a 92%-95% AFUE gas furnace.

In short, your heating bills will be far lower with a heat pump. Depending on how cold the climate is, in dual fuel systems, the heat pump will supply heat 70%-85% of the time, producing savings of hundreds of dollars per winter in most homes. A hybrid heat system will cost $500-$800 more than a standard gas furnace split system. That extra expense is typically recovered in 2-4 years of lower energy bills.

Other Cold Weather Heat Pump Installation Tips

In snowy climates, it makes sense to install the condensing unit – the outdoor unit in a heat pump – on a stand up to 3 feet high. The heat pump needs air flow and if the cabinet gets surrounded by snow, that can lead to performance or mechanical issues. Having it on a stand will also prevent you from having to consistently clear snow away from it. Secondly, always install the heat pump on a side of the house that has a peak, not on a side that has the roof sloping down to it. This will prevent snow, ice or icicles from falling off the roof and damaging the heat pump.

If you live in a cold climate and are considering a heat pump, they are now a very good option. Choose one of the many dual fuel models from the leading brands and follow these installation tips. You’ll save money this winter and have a very comfortable home.

Best Way to Install a Heat Pump in a Cold Climate

Every time you turn on the heating and cooling system in your home, you make a decision about the environment. Some of the biggest environmental concerns, such as smog, acid rain and oil spills, are related to the use and production of energy. With this in mind, you can make a tremendous difference in the decision you make about purchases.

Choosing to purchase energy efficient appliances is a good way to reduce your contribution to environmental issues. Besides heating and cooling your home, water heating is the next largest contributor to energy consumption in the home. Whether you are in the market to replace your current water heating system or looking for the best option for a new house, carefully weigh your options based on the needs of your household and the environment.

The use of heat pump water heaters is revolutionizing how we heat water with efficient technology. A heat pump water heater is an electric system that heats water with a heat pump. This occurs by absorbing heat from the air and transferring it into the water tank.

Types of Heat Pump Water Heaters

Generally, energy usage is based on site and source. Site energy is the amount a water heater uses on a daily basis. Source is what energy generates and distributes. Most is lost through inefficient means, leaving approximately one-third that reaches your house. The advances in heat pump technology are improving efficiency. While the heat pump water heater uses air to heat water, it also dehumidifies the air. This gives you clean air and efficient usage.

There are two basic types of heat pump water heaters on the market today. An air source heat pump removes heat from the air. The geothermal heat pump uses underground soil.

Air Source Heat Pump

The air source heat pump removes heat from around your house by using a loop of pipes between the inside and outside. These pipes contain refrigerant that gets circulated outside, expanding and evaporating into a gas substance. The heat is absorbed and pumped inside the house. As this occurs, the heat is compressed, releasing the absorbed heat.

The heat transfers in the water unit. A standard water heater can work with an air source heat pump, so it might not be necessary to purchase a new unit. Air source heat pumps are efficient because they rely on existing heat, rather than generating more heat. This helps to save money in your budget and lower the amount of energy consumption in the house.

It is important to note that air source heat pumps do not work as well when temperatures drop below a certain level. Therefore, if you live in an area that experiences frequent below freezing temperature, an air source heat pump might not be the best choice.

Geothermal Heat Pump

Geothermal heat pumps are similar to air source heat pumps in usage. However, the energy source is taken from underground soil during the winter rather than from the air. This enables efficient usage of the geothermal heat pump can work year-round, regardless of outside temperatures.

A loop of pipes runs between the water heater inside your home and an outside source below ground. Water or antifreeze travels between the locations through the pipes. Heat picks up as the liquid substance travels and heats the water in your home.

You can save tremendously by using a geothermal heat pump in your home or business. However, it is more expensive to install a geothermal heat pump than an air source heat pump. Specialized labor is required for installation, which might exceed your budget.

Cost of Heat Pump Water Heaters

Many factors beyond the purchase price are essential to determine the cost of a heat pump water heater. Depending on the heat pump manufacturer, the average cost for a heat pump water heater can range from $1,000 to $1,800. You should also estimate the operating cost and life expectancy of the heater.

The purchase cost for a heat pump water heater typically includes installation and labor costs. You should request written estimates from at least three separate manufacturers before making a decision. The initial cost – regardless of manufacturer – is more than the traditional water heater systems.

However, you will realize more savings over time. On average, you could save up to 50 percent on water heating costs. This is generally dependent on the usage in your home, but can continue for the length of time you own the heat pump.

The operating costs for heat pump water heaters are also less. For example, a family of three that uses approximately 64 gallons of water per day could spend $185 per year. The life expectancy for most heat pump water heaters usually depend on the water hardness in your area and regular maintenance.

Determining if a Heat Pump Water Heater is Right for Your Home

You can determine whether a heat pump water heater is right for your home by considering several factors. These may include things such as location of the unit and the type of unit you currently have installed.

A heat pump water heater might work for your home if it is placed in the garage. You also want to determine if the garage is capable of isolating the cool air. If you currently have a standard electric water heater and are not downsizing from a larger unit, this could be a good option for energy efficiency in your home. Garage installation should provide adequate air flow to ensure the heat pump operates correctly.

Typically, a heat pump water heater works best in a garage where the average temperature is above 40 degrees. Therefore, you should also understand the weather and how temperatures fluctuate in your area.

Heat Pump Water Heater

What makes some heat pumps more efficient than others? There are several factors that can help give you the highest efficient heat pump system. Look for models that offer these features in order to reduce energy use and costs as much as possible. As a bonus, the same features that make heat pumps more efficient also contribute to more comfortable heating and cooling. Here are the key factors affecting heat pump efficiency.

Compressor Efficiency

The main reason for one heat pump being a 22 SEER model and another being a 14 SEER model is the design of the compressor. The more efficiently it uses electricity to circulate refrigerant, the less energy it will use. The more efficient a compressor and supporting parts are, the more the unit will cost, due to the complexity of the equipment. This is the reason not all heat pumps use the most efficient compressors available.

Compressor Type

There are 3 types of compressors being used today. A single-stage compressor is the least efficient. When the heat pump is on, a single-stage compressor is running at 100% capacity. This leads to slight overheating and overcooling in every cycle. It’s like a vehicle travelling at full speed and then having to stop quickly – it will overshoot the mark. The effect of running at full capacity all the time is wasted energy.

Two-stage compressors run at low capacity, which is about 65%, most of the time. Therefore, they are going “slower” when the cycle ends, making it much easier for them to stop. The most efficient compressor types are modulating compressors found on models like the Maytag PSH4BI iQ Drive and the Carrier Infinity 25VNAO Greenspeed heat pumps. They run as low as 40% capacity which makes it much easier to control the amount of heating and cooling produced during the cycle.

Currently, the most efficient single-stage compressors offer 16 SEER cooling. The most efficient 2-stage models are 19 SEER. Rotary heat pumps offer SEER ratings as high as 22 in heat pumps or over 24 in air conditioners.

Air Handler Type

The final key factor affecting heat pump efficiency is the type of air handler the system uses. A variable-speed air handler can increase SEER ratings by up to 1.5 points. It’s the same principle of a modulating compressor versus a single-stage compressor. A variable-speed blower will match the capacity of the heat pump to produce longer, lower-capacity cycles that make better use of the heated or cooled air that is produced.

In addition, variable-speed blowers that produce longer cycles do a better job removing humidity in cooling mode. Humidity is a major factor in how comfortable you feel. When it’s less humid, you feel just as comfortable at a higher temperature. With a variable-speed air handler, you can achieve the same indoor comfort by setting your thermostat to a temperature 2-3 degrees higher than you would with air handler that does not have a variable-speed blower.

As noted, the more efficient a heat pump system is, the more it will cost. The upside is greater indoor comfort and lower energy bills. Depending on your climate and the model you choose, a higher-efficiency model will pay you back through lower energy bills in 1-7 years.

Key Factors Affecting Heat Pump Efficiency

Homeowners who tackle home projects for enjoyment or necessity wonder whether or not fixing a heat pump is a DIY project. Much of the maintenance of a heat pump can definitely be done yourself. A few repairs can be DIY tasks if you have the right tools. However, the majority of repair work on heat pump systems is best left to a professional contractor.

Heat Pump Repair Takes Specialized Skills

Even most skilled DIY homeowners don’t have the knowledge and skills to fix their heat pump system. HVAC repair has been called one of the toughest kinds of home repair because of what is involved. Many times, the issue is electrical, and electrical problems are notoriously difficult to diagnose whether they are in the heat pump or the air handler. Refrigerant systems work also takes experience and training that most of us simply don’t possess.

Heat Pump Repair Requires Special Tools

Most repair jobs around the house require a set of tools DIY buffs are familiar with. Those tools can be used to fix anything from the roof to installing kitchen counters to finishing the basement. Repairing a heat pump or a furnace takes special tools that most handymen and homeowners don’t have. Most rental placed don’t have them either. They are expensive and hard to find. These include specialized gauges to check the system’s refrigerant pressure and meters for the electrical and blower systems.

Handling Refrigerant Requires a License

To purchase and handle refrigerant to recharge a heat pump requires obtaining a refrigeration contractor’s license in every state. Refrigerant is not something you can pick up at the local home improvement store.

DIY Repairs and Maintenance of your Heat Pump System

There are a number of things you can do yourself, however. Homeowners with a good understanding of electrical systems can run power to where the unit will be installed. For existing systems, you may be able to diagnose a relay, switch or condensate pump that isn’t working and switch it out.

Replacing a thermostat can be fairly easy, and so can clearing a clogged condensate drain and fixing issues with exposed ductwork.

Annual maintenance can be done by a knowledgeable homeowner. With a shop vacuum and light brush you can clean both the outdoor and indoor coils as well as the blower and reachable duct work. You can check for refrigerant leaks or cracks in refrigerant lines.

What you can do yourself depends on your skill and experience. When in doubt, call a pro for heat pump problems you can’t handle , just like you want others to do when they call you to do whatever it is you do.

Is Heat Pump Repair a DIY Project?