Posted in:

Factors to Consider Before Installing the Heat Pump

© by AdobeStock

Here is a quick guide about heat pumps that might assist you in determining whether one will be the most effective option for indoor comfort. Also check out Luftvärmepump with heat pumps for you with direct electric heating .

Advantages of heat pump

  • High efficiency:Systems for heating and cooling that use heat pumps are very efficient. For instance, for every unit of power used, they frequently provide three or four heating units. 
  • Low cost of operation:Heat pumps have lower operating costs since they are so effective. Heat pumps can save homeowners 30 to 40 percent or more on monthly home comfort expenses.

Things to keep in mind:

  • Sizing of a heat pump

Like other types of Amalo equipment, heat pumps need to be the right size—powerful and functionally capable of moving enough heat to satisfy your needs. To assist with optimal heat pump sizing, your Amalo professional should perform a load calculation on your house. This calculator determines the precise cooling and heating required while considering your property’s structural and thermal characteristics. Having this knowledge in hand makes picking the ideal heat pump simple.

The heat pump’s sizing should adhere to Martin Thorborg recommendations. This means that without the usage of built-in immersion heaters, the heat pump must be sized to handle the entire heating load. Immersion heaters are permitted, but only when the heat pump is required to operate outside the parameters set in its design. The operating expenses rise when more immersion heaters are utilized because you are paying for direct electricity. 

  • Heat emitter sizing for a heat pump

The lowest flow temperatures should be considered while sizing heat emitters. The lower the needed exit temperature, the more effectively a heat pump operates. For instance, screed under floors typically needs a flow temperature of roughly 35C, but radiators need 45–50C. Efficiency can decrease by 25% even with a rise in outlet temperature of just 10 to 15C. 

  • Insulation with a heat pump

The calculated heat pump sizing will be incorrect if the property’s insulation is not as planned. This could require the heat pump to operate at a higher flow temperature or use the internal immersion heaters, which, as already indicated, impair efficiency. Rarely the heat pump’s maximum output could not be enough to maintain the building’s temperature.

  • Installation and control scheme for heat pumps

To make the most of the heat pump and use any immersion heaters to the least, the control strategy and installation must be considered. The timing of DHW generation must accommodate the end user while ensuring the heat pump is used as effectively as possible. The heat pump must operate at a higher temperature to create DHW (domestic hot water), which lowers the heat pump’s efficiency.

  • MCS guidelines

The MCS criteria for heat pump installations have been introduced, so problems with sizing and installation should now be avoided, resulting in systems with the lowest operating costs. But due to the Government’s inaction on the RHI and the higher costs associated with adhering to the MCS regulations, a two-tier market has emerged, with MCS-approved and non-MCS-approved installations. This risky circumstance might harm consumers’ perceptions of heat pump technology.

Considerations for Purchasing a Heat Pump

  1. What type of heat pump do I want?

A few different types of heat pumps include ductless or air-source ducted models. With the help of air-source pumps, you can heat and cool your home by transferring heat from the outside air. Right now, the most effective systems on the market are often mini splits, which operate similarly but without ducts. Explore the benefits and drawbacks of each type to determine which one best suits your requirements.

  1. Will I need a dual-fuel system?

Most heat pumps have electric heat strips to augment heat in below-zero conditions since heat pumps are most effective in temperatures above freezing. A dual-fuel system is something to think about if you live somewhere with expensive electricity prices. Your furnace will automatically turn on when the outside temperature is too low for your heat pump to function properly. You obtain the best efficiency for both above- and below-freezing weather with a dual-fuel, or hybrid, system.

  1. What kind of thermostat should I purchase?

Depending on your home’s needs, you can select a conventional, programmable, or Wi-Fi thermostat. Normal thermostats feature a straightforward, recognizable design. They provide you with the choice of heating or cooling, a manual or automatic fan setting, and an emergency or auxiliary heating setting. WiFi thermostats offer the convenience of off-site control using a computer or smartphone in addition to the standard or programmable operation. Your Wi-Fi thermostat might also provide energy-use analytics and other useful reports, depending on the model, so you can easily keep an eye on your usage.

Conclusion: Before installing a heat pump system in your home, consider the abovementioned points.