A heat pump is basically a reverse air conditioner. Instead of having cold coils on the inside and heat coils on the outside, this process is reversed. A heat pump has a switch to change from air conditioner mode to heater mode. When in heater mode, it moves hot air into the home, heating it. If the switch is turned to air conditioner mode, the reverse effect occurs, cooling the home. A blower pulls air from inside and circulates it against the coils, then blows it into the home.

A heat pump is energy efficient and can save you money in fuel costs. However, there are certain considerations that should be thought of before determining if this type of device is right for your home. What type of fuel is customary in your area? If you use natural gas, you may want to stay with traditional heating and cooling systems that use that. Heat pumps work on electricity and this type of energy is more expensive than natural gas.

If you are using electricity, though, a heat pump can save on energy costs from your traditional air conditioning and heating units. The installation of a heat pump is more expensive than a traditional unit; however, the heat pump can heat or cool a home up to 2.5 times the amount of an air conditioning unit using the same amount of power. This makes a heat pump a great option for people where electricity is predominantly used.

In what type of climate do you live? If you live in a place where the weather gets extremely cold for long periods of time, a heat pump may not be as energy efficient as it would be if you lived in a moderate climate. If the weather continually gets below about 30° F, the heat pump has to work harder to warm already cold air. A supplemental heating process that runs on electricity may be needed to provide sufficient warmth. This process may make the costs prohibitive.

Heat pumps come in a variety of sizes. The size chosen depends on the size of your home. Most homes need a capacity of two to five tons to adequately heat and cool the home. Make comparisons and check energy efficiency on models before making a decision as to whether a heat pump is right for your home.

Heating pumps can be a valuable addition to your home. Consider the type of climate and the source of fuel used in your area. Make a determination on whether this investment is right for your home by comparing existing energy costs with the savings a heat pump will offer. Keep in mind that installation and purchasing is an initial investment but can greatly pay off over time.

There can be substantial savings involved in doing a system installation yourself, however there are some things you need to consider.

First, with most all systems there are parts of the installation that require a qualified technician. In many cases the equipment can be set in place, the wiring placed for both supply and thermostat, and the refrigeration lines (if needed) can be placed. HOWEVER, the brazing of refrigeration lines, and evacuation of the system requires equipment and expertise that normally only a qualified tech will have. Since this is a VERY IMPORTANT part of the installation, it is not advisable to take the chance of not getting it done properly. Doing what you can by placing equipment and materials will still enable you to save money over a complete turn key installation.

Secondly, the control wiring (thermostat) must be correct and the initial start up of an HVAC system requires a knowledgeable technician to check pressures, temperatures and electrical draw to determine what adjustments need to be made to operate at it’s peak.

Third, warranty registration must be submitted including the name and phone number for the installer. Also, no manufacturer will warrant parts failures resulting from improper installation, no matter who does the installation.

MOST importantly, keep in mind that all manufacturers indicate that well over half of all system problems result from improper installation, even with most being installed by professional technicians. Getting a reputable and well trained technician to install your system can provide great benefits in not having future problems, as well as having a system that delivers all the performance it was designed to provide.

With regard to warranty you also need to keep in mind that all HVAC manufacturers warranty PARTS ONLY. If there is a problem, the warranty will cover the part alone. The shipping of the part (including return shipping of the defective part) as well as all labor charges for diagnosis and replacement of parts is NOT COVERED by warranty. Also, the cost of refrigerant is not covered by warranty. Some installers may be able to offer a labor warranty separate from the manufacturers warranty. In most cases even if you purchase a labor warranty, it may not cover the total costs of repair.

The important thing to remember is that once installed, the geothermal system requires minimal maintenance and offers superior savings for the life of the system.

Low Operating and Maintenance Costs
Geothermal systems have one of the lowest relative operating and maintenance costs of any HVAC system available. Annual operating costs are often lower than conventional systems such as built-up air handlers, rooftop units or VAV applications. Maintenance and service are easy and do not require specialized training, giving the owner more options for maintaining and servicing their equipment.

High Efficiency
Geothermal systems are one of the most efficient systems available for heating and cooling. For every 1 btu of electricity used to heat or cool your building, the geothermal heat pump unit produces 3-5 btu’s. That’s 300-500% more efficient than using electric resistance heat and 20-30% more efficient than typical boiler/tower systems. The constant temperature of the ground and colder design loop temperature mean that the geothermal heat pump units don’t have to work as hard, and are therefore more efficient than most other systems.

Geothermal heat pump units can also be provided with a load shedding device on the control board to further reduce energy requirements. The device creates a greater deadband, which enables the unit to “idle” for an extended period of time while maintaining a relative constant temperature setting. This feature allows the building’s peak to be shaved without compromising overall comfort.

Decentralized Design
Each water source heat pump resides in close proximity to the zone it serves. This avoids the large duct runs associated with central air systems. In addition, an equipment failure only affects the zone where the failed unit is located. Central system equipment failures can drastically affect large portions of the building.

Equipment can be changed to meet the specific needs of the occupant. For instance, in a retail environment, the unit can be sized to meet the load of a new tenant. In addition, individual power metering is possible, allowing the occupant to control and pay their own energy costs. As the building is constructed, only a minimum amount of equipment needs to be provided until an occupant is found and the tenant design complete.

Freeze Protection
In Northern climates, a typical water loop may contain a small amount of antifreeze (10%-30% by volume) to prevent the water in the ground loop from freezing up. The majority of the antifreeze products available pose no threat of polluting, even if there is a leak into the ground. The chances of an antifreeze leak into the ground is significantly reduced due to the strength and flexibility of the pipe used in today’s ground loops. If the pipe is pulled hard enough, it will actually be squeezed shut at its weakest point before a break would occur, thus sealing the system off to the surrounding ground.