Are you ready for a heat pump?

All over your neighbourhood, you may have noticed that heat pumps have been installed as they gain popularity in our region. Maybe you’ve become curious about heat pumps but don’t know where to begin to source the correct information to make an informed decision about whether it’s the right choice for you. Or maybe you have a heat pump, but you’d like to learn more about best practices for operating and maintaining it.

Begin with some basic facts

A central heat pump is designed to use existing ductwork to distribute air throughout your home, while a ductless heat pump functions as a kind of space heater for a room or area. Your home may require more than one ductless unit for best heating coverage upstairs and down.

Ductless heat pumps are not considered a primary source of heating. When temperatures drop, you may need to turn on your other heating source.

Consider your home’s electrical panel load capacity. It may need to be updated to handle the extra load. A qualified electrician can determine this for you.

It’s quite helpful to have an energy audit completed for your home before signing on the dotted line for an installation. Ask friends, family, and neighbours for recommendations. A reputable company will lead you through the process step by step, and answer any questions you may have.

An important step that is easy to overlook is to compare your provider’s financing term to your system’s life expectancy, to be sure your payments don’t continue past the system’s expected lifespan.

Your system will require an annual maintenance service by qualified refrigeration mechanic. This helps to catch any service issues early and keeps efficiency at its peak. Not keeping up with annual maintenance could void the manufacturer’s warranty.

Learn to use your new heat pump system

Did you know that you can “set it and forget it”? Once you’ve determined your family’s personal ideal comfort setting, you don’t need to constantly adjust it up and down.

It’s actually designed to match the demand of your home. Keep your fan at high speed for optimum system efficiency. Open interior doors and see its ability to heat for yourself!

Maritime winters

There is an exception to “set it and forget it” during extremely cold weather, however. If you have a ducted system, you don’t need to change a thing as its thermostat will control your auxiliary heat, but a ductless system may need a bit of attention.

Turn on your other heat source during extreme cold snaps (-15 C or below), if you need to turn off your heat pumps you should do so by using the remote control. Turning the system off at the breaker can result in damage to the compressor when you turn it back on. After any snowstorm events, it’s recommended that you clear the outdoor unit of snow and ice to help prevent damage to the coils and fans.

When there’s been a power outage, you’ll want to turn your central-ducted system back on using Emergency Heat Mode for 2 to 3 hours before switching it back to Regular Heating Mode. In the case of a ductless system, use your other heating system for 2 to 3 hours after power is restored before turning each unit back on with its remote. After power has been restored, the unit will need time to eliminate any liquid refrigerant in the sump of the compressor to avoid damage.

Schedule a seasonal maintenance

On a quarterly basis, remove the filters in your indoor units and clean them with warm soapy water. Dry them thoroughly before putting them back in the unit.

Information is power

There are a few reasons why choosing a heat pump system could be the right choice for your home. Saving money on your heating and cooling bills is an important factor. Making your home more comfortable in all seasons is desirable. It’s a good way to enhance the value of your home, as well.

Wilsons Mechanical has been a trusted full-service heating and cooling provider in Nova Scotia for decades. Armed with your new-found information, it’s time to visit their website or call (902) 450-5304 for more details and to get your heat pump installation started.