Heat pumps are the perfect addition to your Boston property whether you’re building an addition, breaking ground on a new home, or replacing your home’s old HVAC system. When compared to traditional central units, ductless heat pumps are more energy-efficient, smaller, quieter, easier to install, and the list goes on.
To take full advantage of these benefits, you’ll need to find the most ideal unit for your home since not all heat pumps are the same. Here, we’ll take a closer look at some tips to help Boston homeowners make the best choice when purchasing a new heat pump system.
Decide between a single or multi-zone system.
The primary difference between ductless and centralized systems is the way temperature is controlled throughout a home. While conventional units rely on ductwork to push heated or conditioned air to various rooms, ductless systems control the temperature in individual rooms with indoor handing units.
The process of heating and cooling rooms separately is known as zoning. For every room you want temperature control, you’ll need a separate handling unit. Single-zone systems are ideal for rooms that aren’t connected to your home’s main HVAC system. If you want heating and cooling capabilities in more than one area in your home, you’ll need a multi-zone system. This factor matters because systems are either designed to handle one or more units.
Check the energy efficiency rating of the unit.
Heat pumps are well-known for their increased energy efficiency when compared to conventional HVAC systems but not all ductless units are equally energy efficient. Fortunately, the majority of new heat pumps are labeled with various energy-efficiency ratings to help buyers make educated buying decisions.
Here are some key terms to keep in mind when determining a heat pump’s energy efficiency:
Coefficient of Performance (COP)
COP is one of the most fundamental ratings for comparing the performance of heat pump products. It describes the ratio of useful cold or heat produced by a unit in relation to the amount of energy consumed. Improved energy efficiency is identified by a higher COP rating.
Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)
An EER rating describes a heat pump’s energy performance under ideal conditions. The higher the number, the more impact a unit provides for every Watt of energy used. This is a great measurement for comparing different ductless units.
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)
The SEER rating indicates a ductless unit’s efficiency over an entire season. As with other measurements, higher numbers correlated with better energy efficiency. While EER ratings are great for comparing units directly, SEER tells you more about a heat pump’s performance in real-world settings.
Most manufacturers conveniently display these ratings on the back of their heat pumps, making it easier for homeowners to compare. If you’re not able to find the information on the product itself, you might be able to find operating manuals online with more details.
Make sure the unit’s capacity is sufficient for your home.
Heat pumps aren’t only divided by their ability to operate single or multi-zones. They’re also split up in terms of their operating capacity. Finding a properly sized heat pump for your home’s heating and cooling needs will result in optimized comfort and maximized energy efficiency.
Choosing a unit that’s too small will lead to a shortened lifespan while an oversized heat pump will lead to unnecessarily high energy costs.
British Thermal Untis (BTUs) are the industry-accepted standard for measuring a heat pump’s capacity. Similar to energy efficiency ratings, the higher a heat pump’s BTU number, the more square footage it can heat and cool. It’s important to consult with a ductless HVAC professional when determining the ideal heat pump size for your home since there are several factors that should be factored into the decision including your home’s insulation levels, the energy efficiency of your heat pump, and your home’s temperature control needs