Heat pumps are becoming an increasingly popular HVAC system for homeowners who are looking to gain more energy efficiency from their heating and cooling systems. While there are two types of heat pumps, known as air-source and ground-source, air-source are the most common among homeowners. We’re going to go over the entire installation process below so that you can become better acquainted with what you’re likely to experience when you invest in one.
The Components of a Heat Pump
Heat pumps have three main components. These are an outdoor condenser unit, refrigerant lines, and one or more indoor air handler units. All of these components strategically connect to one another to offer both heating and cooling capabilities.
Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
There are two main styles of heat pumps that you can invest in for your home. These are ducted and ductless. Ducted heat pumps integrate with existing ductwork to deliver treated air throughout your home. These systems only require one indoor air handler unit to function.
On the other hand, ductless mini-split units don’t rely on ductwork at all. Rather, they rely on individual units. These indoor air handler units are mounted on the walls of the main rooms of your home. Instead of delivering treated air through ducting, these mini-split units deliver treated air directly from their own blower components.
Choosing the Right Heat Pump System
When you decide that a heat pump is the ideal investment for your home, it’s important to consult an HVAC expert for assistance. They will be able to determine whether a ductless or ducted system is best and what size unit(s) you’ll need. If you opt for a ductless system, one of our HVAC technicians will need to determine the appropriate unit size for each main room throughout your home.
Getting the right size units makes all the difference in their ability to function. Units that are too big will short cycle and consistently run up your electricity bills. Units that are too small will continually run without ever getting your home up to temperature.
What to Expect on Installation Day
Once you decide on the ideal system for your home, we’ll give you an installation date. Most heat pumps can be installed in one day. Depending on the size of your home, this installation process will usually take between four and eight hours to fully complete.
Removal of Old HVAC Equipment
The very first step that our HVAC team will take is to remove your old HVAC system components. Since a heat pump will both heat and cool your home, it’s not necessary for your existing heating or cooling system to remain in operation. Once the old unit is disconnected from the ducting, any fuel lines, and electrical connections, it will be safely transferred outside. Most HVAC providers will take care of disposing of your old units for you.
Ductwork Inspection and Repair
If your heat pump will rely on existing ductwork in your home, it’s necessary for our technicians to evaluate your ductwork. The efficiency of your new heat pump will be greatly impacted by the state of your ductwork. Our technicians will assess your ducting for any problems, like leaking. They’ll be able to successfully repair issues and replace areas that require it. The goal is to ensure that your ducting doesn’t allow for any air leakage.
Installing the Outdoor Condenser Unit
Next comes the installation of an outdoor condenser unit. This unit needs to go in a location outside your home that is free from any obstructions and, ideally, on a side that isn’t facing south. Units that experience southern daylight exposure can be more prone to overheating due to the heat from the sun.
For an outdoor unit to be effective, it needs to be adequately leveled. You’ll need to have either a stone paver put down or a concrete pad poured. This will give a solid location for the condenser unit to reside where it can be completely level.
Refrigerant Line Installation
Heat pumps work because of a substance known as refrigerant. For it to work effectively, refrigerant needs to travel from the outdoor condenser unit to the indoor air handler unit(s). If you’re going with a ducted heat pump, then there will be two refrigerant lines that run from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit.
If you opt for going with a ductless mini-split setup, there will be multiple refrigerant lines. Each mini-split unit will need two refrigerant lines, one for bringing refrigerant in and one for taking it back out. To run these lines, there will need to be a small 3-inch hole put in the exterior wall of each room where the mini-split unit will be placed.
Indoor Air Handler Unit Installation
The last component of your heat pump to be installed with be the indoor air handler unit(s). With a ducted system, the air handler unit will sit between the supply and return plenums of your ducting. This will allow it to alter the flow of air throughout your entire ducting system.
If you go with a ductless setup, then our HVAC installers will need to install multiple mini-split units. The most popular mini-split type is the wall-mounted unit. Each mini-split gets placed toward the top of the room in a location where it can evenly disperse its hot or cold air. Nowadays, you also have the option of floor-mounted units and ceiling-mounted units. All mini-split units will be connected to the refrigerant lines as well as electrical lines to function optimally.
Refrigerant Charging
Once your new heat pump system is installed, one of the final steps is to charge up the refrigerant. This process involves introducing refrigerant into the lines and coils of your new heat pump system. Refrigerant can be a dangerous substance when not handled correctly, so it’s imperative to have one of our certified HVAC technicians do the process for you.
Testing and Calibration
Once refrigerant is introduced into the system, it’s time to give it a test run. HVAC installers will fire up your new heat pump and perform multiple calibration tests. This will ensure that your refrigerant is at the appropriate level, all connections are solid, your thermostat is reading correctly, and so forth.
Our HVAC technicians will check each air vent or mini-split unit to ensure it’s effective at both heating and cooling your home. Performing an appropriate calibration is an absolute necessity to enact the warranty coverage on your new heat pump system. This must be done by an HVAC professional for your warranty to be effective going into the future.
Exceptional Heat Pump Installation Service
Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, Generators offers exceptional heat pump installation service to the entire Bountiful, UT region. We can also help with all your cooling, heating, plumbing, ductwork, indoor air quality, and commercial HVAC needs. Simply call us today to book your next service consultation.
