Magic Heat Pumps
(Page 3 of 8)
April/May 2005
By Greg Pahl
Noise is another important factor to consider — the outdoor units of some air-source heat pumps are quite loud. All heat pumps have sound ratings in units of bels (the lower the rating, the quieter the unit). If possible, select a heat pump with a rating of 7.6 bels or less.
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The outdoor unit should be placed where it is protected from prevailing winter winds, which can intensify frost buildup on the coil that transfers heat. An ideal location is on the south side of your house, shaded by deciduous trees in the summer.uring the winter, sunlight passing through the bare branches helps warm the unit. For the indoor unit, a basement, laundry room, closet, crawl space or attic are all potential locations. The best location is in an easy-to-access spot in the center of the house that allows for more efficient air circulation.
The thermostat settings on a heat pump should remain constant. If you use a more energy-efficient programmable thermostat, the night setting should not be set lower than 65 degrees. This is because a heat pump takes much longer to raise a home’s temperature than a fossil-fueled or wood-heated appliance. Heat pumps are more efficient at maintaining comfortable temperatures but have to work harder to raise temperatures from a cold start.
Heat pumps generally last for about 15 to 20 years. The lifetime of an air-source heat pump tends to be shorter in colder climates than in milder regions because climate affects the total hours of operation. Careful installation and maintenance also have a significant impact on the life of the system. In general, servicing the many components of a heat pump should be left to a trained technician. Have your unit inspected annually — the best time of year is near the end of the cooling season but before the heating season.
But there are some basic maintenance tasks that you can do yourself.irty filters, coils and fans reduce airflow through the system. If neglected, this can damage the compressor. Check the filters monthly and clean or replace them as recommended by the manufacturer’s guidelines. Clean the coils with a vacuum or brush at least once a year (turn off the heat pump first), and check your ducts annually to be sure they are free of excessive dust buildup and other obstructions.
You’ll find a wide variety of air-source heat pumps available through most heating, ventilation and air-conditioning contractors. Ask two or three contractors to estimate the installation cost of the air-source heat pump you are interested in so you can make a comparison.
In most areas, air-source heat pumps are cost-competitive with conventional heating and cooling systems. Air-source heat pumps cost about $500 per ton of capacity, plus installation. A typical well-insulated, 2,000-square-foot home will probably require a 3-ton heat pump. “Ton” is the most common measurement for heat pump size — a 1-ton heat pump can generate 12,000 Btu of cooling per hour at an outdoor temperature of 95 degrees, or 12,000 Btu of heat output per hour at 47 degrees. If you need to install a hot-air distribution system or modify an old one, your installation costs will be higher.itto if you need to upgrade your electrical service. Be sure to ask your utility if rebates are available for energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment.
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