Heat Pump Installation

A heat pump is a home appliance that serves the main purpose of moving heat from one place to another. It is a versatile device, which can be used in both cold and hot climatic conditions. In fact, a heat pump is an energy efficient alternative to installation of furnace and air conditioner. During winter months, it heats up the house by moving cool air from the inside to the outdoors; while, in hot summer months, cool air from outdoors is transferred to the inside of the house. This way, heat pumps maintain optimum temperature in the house.

Depending upon the working principle, there are several models of heat pumps, of which the most common is air source heat pump. In this device, heat is circulated between the house and the outside air by using electricity. If an air source model is powered by natural gas or propane, then the unit is referred to as absorption heat pump. Another popular model is the geothermal heat pump, in which heat from under the surface of the Earth is used to warm up the house. Let's discuss about the basic procedure for air source heat pump installation.

Steps for Heat Pump Installation

It is to borne in mind that heat pumps should be installed by a professional contractor. If the unit is not installed correctly, then it may not work efficiently. Hence, if you are not confident to handle heat pump installation, do not hesitate to call heat pump installers. It will spare you from frequent incidences of heat pump problems and repairs. You can search for reliable heat pump suppliers and heat pump installers in your area, which have good track records.

Speaking about the basic knowledge of heat pump installation, the typical air source heat pump model is of split system, with one unit is fixed in the inside of the house, while another unit is positioned outdoors. The two units are connected by using thermally insulated copper tubing, that has the property to withstand refrigeration. The next step in heat pump installation is evacuating air from the copper tubing that connects the inside and outside units. Finally, refrigerant is introduced inside the tubing.

The outside unit is placed with reference to availability of power sockets, ventilation and distance from the indoor system. Also, while installing the outdoor unit, certain care has to be taken like placing the unit away from the building wall and using proper concrete slab below the unit. In case of installing the indoor unit, airflow and thermal factors are taken into consideration.

The total heat pump installation cost may vary based on the size of the unit that you want to install. Obviously larger units cost more than the smaller ones. If you already have ductwork system, then the installation cost will be less. For example, setting up a latest model of air source heat pump with existing ducting may cost about $2000-$4000, whereas installing the same model without a ductwork system will cost as much as $4000-$6000. To get a good deal, shop around and gather information about the various brands of heat pumps prior to purchasing a unit.

One of the major advantages of heat pumps is that they are energy saving devices. As heat is moved from one region to another (not generated), the energy consumption is about 30-40 percent less than the conventional heating systems that are operated by electricity. Hence by spending the initial cost for heat pump installation, you can save energy in the long run.