If you’re looking for an air-to-water heat pump, there are many different brands and models available. Choosing which one is right for your home can be a little tricky if you aren’t sure where to start. Luckily, we’ve got some tips to help.
There’s no question that heat pumps have become much more affordable than they were even just five years ago. The cost of installing a new system has also dropped, making it easier than ever before for homeowners to consider switching from traditional forced hot water systems, which use electricity to heat up a boiler and then circulate cold water through pipes in the house. A heat pump takes advantage of the same technology but uses refrigerant instead of electrical power to produce heat.
In recent years, it appears that heat pumps are becoming more important as a means of achieving a low-carbon building sector. Because they can provide cooling, heating, and hot water, inverter heat pumps are a great choice for residential buildings, including single- and multi-family homes. not just for newly constructed buildings.
That’s why heat pumps are becoming so popular; they provide many of the benefits of a traditional heating system with half the energy requirements. But the process isn’t quite as simple as flipping a switch and expecting to have warm water instantly. There are several factors to take into consideration when choosing a õhk vesi soojuspumba paigaldus (air water heat pump installation) inverter, including:
- Air flow rate
How much air will need to pass through the unit? (This is particularly important if you plan on using a central heating system or other appliances around the house.)
- The size of the unit
This will affect how much space the unit will occupy in your home.
- Energy efficiency
Will the unit be able to meet your home’s energy needs?
- Maintenance
How easy will it be to keep your unit running smoothly?
The next few pages will describe each of these factors, and give you some ideas about what to look for when shopping for a heat pump inverter.
Air Flow Rate
When you think of heat pumps, you probably picture them installed directly inside the walls of your home. But this is not always the easiest route to go. If you plan on installing the unit outside, you’ll have to make sure that it gets enough airflow to work properly.
To calculate how much air will need to pass through the unit, multiply the square footage of your home by 0.9, which is the minimum air exchange rate required by most units. For example, if you live in a 3,000-square-foot home, you should be looking at a unit that measures 9 feet wide x 9 feet long x 6 feet high. This would require approximately 30 cubic feet of free air passing through the unit every hour. To see how much air a unit like this could move, check out our handy calculator.
Size Matters
Heat pumps come in all shapes and sizes, but you may find that you want something bigger than what’s currently available on the market. If you plan on installing your unit outside, there are three things to keep in mind regarding size:
1) The larger the unit, the less likely you are to get the necessary amount of air flow. You can still install a smaller unit, but you’ll probably want to have a professional inspect it because it won’t be operating optimally.
2) Units that are too large might be difficult to place close to your main source of supply, such as your well.
3) Larger units can be more expensive because they require more parts and labor.
Energy Efficiency
In order to know whether a particular heat pump inverter is going to be worth the investment, you’ll need to know how efficient it is. You can do this by checking its Energy Star rating, which indicates how much energy the unit can save when compared to standard heat pumps. The lower the number, the better the efficiency.
For example, a unit with an Energy Star rating of 5 means that it saves 50 percent more energy when used in place of a standard unit. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it will cost 50 percent less, however. It depends on the brand, model, and other features of the unit.
You can also compare an inverter’s energy consumption to that of other types of heat pumps, but you’ll need to account for the fact that the electricity used in an inverter is less efficient than that of a traditional heater.
Maintenance
One of the biggest drawbacks of any type of heating system lies in how difficult it is to maintain. As soon as you turn off the unit, you lose the warmth it provides, and that can lead to mold growth in your home. This is especially true if you don’t regularly clean the coil, which is the part of the unit that actually produces heat.
Fortunately, most heat pump inverters include built-in mechanisms that allow you to clean their coils easily, and many include an indicator light that lets you know when the unit needs maintenance. Look for products that are easy to service, and ones that offer 24/7 customer support in case you run into trouble.
The Bottom Line
All of these factors play a role in determining the best heat pump inverter for your home. When it comes time for consumers to choose between different options, it’s important to remember that not all units are created equal. Some are designed to save money while others are marketed to provide the maximum warmth possible.
The best way to figure out which option is best for you is to consult a knowledgeable salesperson who can show you samples of various models and explain how they differ. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, you can call the manufacturers and ask them questions about specific models. Be prepared, though, because they’re unlikely to tell you everything you want to know. They’re simply trying to sell you a product.
The best bet is to shop around until you find a company that seems honest and straightforward, and then stick with them. After all, you’ll be spending thousands of dollars on a heat pump, and you want to make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth.