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, it's an energy efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners.

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, it maintains optimum temperature in the house.

Depending upon the working principle, there are several models, of which the most common is the air source variety. 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.

It is to be borne in mind that the equipment should be installed by a professional contractor. If the unit is not installed correctly, then it may not work efficiently. So it is always better to call the contractor. It will spare you from frequent incidences of problems and repairs. Search for reliable suppliers in your area, which have good track records.

The typical air source model is of a split system, with one unit 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 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. 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. Consider the airflow, thermal factors while installing the indoor unit.

The total cost may vary based on the size of the unit. Obviously larger units cost more than the smaller ones. If you already have ductwork system, then the cost will be lesser. For example, setting up a latest air source model with existing ducting may cost about USD 4000 - USD 7000.

Whereas fixing the same model without a ductwork system will cost as much as USD 3000 - USD 14000. To get a good deal, shop around and gather information about the various brands prior to purchasing a unit.

One of the major advantages is that these 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 installation, you can save a lot of energy in the long run.