Heat Pump Installation for Utah Homes

Yes. Cold-climate models are tested down to 5°F and keep working below that temperature. At 5°F, they deliver at least 70 percent of their rated capacity. January lows at the airport average about 24°F, well within that range.

A dual-fuel system pairs a heat pump with a gas furnace. They alternate based on outdoor temperature and thermostat setting. The heat pump runs most of the year, covering 70 to 95 percent of heating needs. A manufacturer's dual-fuel kit is used, and Blue Best sets the switchover point at commissioning.

It includes a duct and electrical check, the matched pair of equipment, permit and inspection, haul-away of the old unit, and full commissioning. Commissioning covers refrigerant charge, airflow, switchover, and thermostat configuration. The manufacturer's warranty is registered.

Manual J is the industry standard for sizing heating and cooling equipment. Building codes require load calculations to ensure proper sizing. When a unit is too large or too small, comfort suffers. Manual S is the companion standard for selecting the correct equipment.

Sometimes. Blue Best files rebate paperwork where a program applies. Programs vary by utility and equipment. ENERGY STAR certified models qualify where a program requires one. Ask when you call about your specific situation.

A heat pump runs all winter, so the outdoor unit sits on a raised pad or wall bracket above the usual snow depth, with open space around it. That keeps snow and drifts from blocking airflow and lets defrost water drain away. Many HOAs also have rules on where outdoor equipment can go. On a dual-fuel system, the outdoor temperature sensor goes where it reads true outdoor air, out of direct sun.

Call for service if the system runs but blows lukewarm air on a cold day, if the breaker trips when it starts, or if it turns on and off every few minutes. A sudden jump in your winter electric bill can also mean the backup heat is carrying the load because the heat pump is not keeping up.

The ENERGY STAR program requires a coefficient of performance of at least 1.75 at 5°F and at least 70 percent of the 47°F rating. Units are third-party tested. NEEP publishes a separate cold-climate list. These models use variable-capacity compressors to maintain efficiency in low temperatures.

ENERGY STAR lists non-ducted cold-climate models at 8.5 HSPF2 and ducted models at 8.1 HSPF2. Ductless units work well for rooms without ducts. Blue Best performs a duct check first. Both options are sized for your home.

Backup heat is a secondary heat source. In a dual-fuel system, the gas furnace serves that role, running 5 to 30 percent of the year. It can also be electric resistance or a furnace. The thermostat must identify it. Blue Best will advise which option fits your home.

Lennox offers 5 years on parts base, extended to 10 years with registration within 60 days. Amana offers 5 years unregistered and 10 years registered within 60 days. Blue Best registers your warranty and provides a 1-year labor warranty on installs.

Yes. In cold, damp weather, frost builds up on the outdoor coil, and the heat pump runs a short defrost cycle to melt it. The steam you see is that frost melting off. A thin coat of frost that clears after a defrost cycle is normal. A thick layer of ice that stays on the coil is not, and needs a service visit.

Under about 10 years old, repair usually makes sense; only a major failure, like the compressor on a base unit, changes that. From 10 to 15 years, a major repair approaching half the cost of a new system deserves a written comparison. Past 15 years, or on an older R-22 system with a sealed-system failure, replacement usually wins. We put both options in writing, including a cold-climate or dual-fuel upgrade.

Twice a year: a spring check for cooling and a fall check for heating, because a heat pump works in both seasons. Its outdoor coil also collects dust all year, so on dusty or windy lots, keep the coil clean and check it more often. Our maintenance plan includes two tune-ups a year.