How to choose a suitable household heat pump
DATE:2022-04-08
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Heat pump sizing guide for home
what heat pump size do i need for my home
In order to properly heat and cool your home, there are a number of factors that go into sizing your unit. Here’s what you need to know about finding the right sized heat pump for your home.
The eight factors:
1. The local climate and how many days a year you need active heating and cooling
2. The home’s layout, such as square footage and shape
3. The number and location of windows
4. How much air infiltration occurs
5. How much insulation the home has- whether it meets the region’s efficiency rating
6. How many people live in the home
7. How residents use the home and their temperature preferences
8. Other appliances in the home that generate heat
WHAT SIZE HEAT PUMP DO I NEED IN MY HOME?
While all these factors are used by contractors to determine the exact size heat pump you need, there is a general rule of thumb you can follow. For every 500-600 square feet of conditioned floor area, install one ton of air conditioning capacity. And since most sizes of heat pumps are determined by BTU (or British Thermal Unit), you’ll also need to know that each ton is worth 12.000 BTU.
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what heat pump size do i need for my home
In order to properly heat and cool your home, there are a number of factors that go into sizing your unit. Here’s what you need to know about finding the right sized heat pump for your home.
The eight factors:
1. The local climate and how many days a year you need active heating and cooling
2. The home’s layout, such as square footage and shape
3. The number and location of windows
4. How much air infiltration occurs
5. How much insulation the home has- whether it meets the region’s efficiency rating
6. How many people live in the home
7. How residents use the home and their temperature preferences
8. Other appliances in the home that generate heat
WHAT SIZE HEAT PUMP DO I NEED IN MY HOME?
While all these factors are used by contractors to determine the exact size heat pump you need, there is a general rule of thumb you can follow. For every 500-600 square feet of conditioned floor area, install one ton of air conditioning capacity. And since most sizes of heat pumps are determined by BTU (or British Thermal Unit), you’ll also need to know that each ton is worth 12.000 BTU.
Once you know what size heat pump you need, there are a few other factors to consider as you invest in a new heat pump. You obviously want a good price, but higher upfront costs may be worth it to save you higher monthly operating costs during the life of your unit. Here’s what to look for:
Energy Efficiency Ratings: SEER and HSPF. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit.
Blower Motor Type: Fixed Speed, Multi-Speed, Variable Speed. These describe the type of blower motor and will affect how efficient the heat pump works and its ability to provide comfort.
Compressor Type: Single Stage and Two-Stage. The first compressor only heats/cools at full blast, while the other has two different levels.
