Heat pumps are some of the most innovative heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units ever invented. However, before you pull the trigger on your residential heat pump installation project, it pays to know certain practices to attain excellent efficiency. For starters, keep these tips in mind:
Get an Efficient Model
Not all heat pumps are equal; some are considerably more energy-efficient than others. Newer products from companies such as Airmaster generally outperform their older counterparts by design. However, it’s not enough to check when your prospective unit was manufactured to make a sound decision.
It’s imperative to look for the Energy Rating Label to compare heat pumps of similar sizes accurately. The number of red and blue stars represents heating and cooling efficiency values respectively. The more starts the unit has, the more efficient it is.
Let Your Unit Have Its Autonomy
Optimise automation to maximise the performance of your heat pump while economising on energy. Experts warn against toggling thermostats regularly. Instead of manually changing settings, it’s wise to program your unit to run at an optimum temperature. Plus, you should keep your heat pump on auto-fan to allow itself to adjust its operation on its own whenever necessary.
Don’t Use It All Day
Running your heat pump day and night is the number one myth that you should bury. Unless you never leave home and continuously need to condition your indoor climate due to the weather, give your unit occasional breaks.
No matter what your neighbour tells you, it’s less costly to warm your house up only when desired than to keep its temperature low 24/7. Regardless of how advanced your heat pump’s design it, it’s bound to underperform and prematurely fail due to “fatigue.”
If you must use your unit all day, set it at a low temperature. Be particular with its setting because running it at a few degrees higher than desired can negatively impact your power bills significantly.
Heat Only the Rooms that You Use
Make sure that your heat pump model is suitable for your unique needs. If you only need to condition the air of your bedrooms, don’t buy a unit designed for central heating. Efficiency isn’t just about producing heat with the least amount of fuel; it also pertains to minimising energy waste.
Put a Premium on Cleanliness
Periodically cleaning air filters is only a small sacrifice to maximise your heat pump’s performance all the time. Dirty filters restrict airflow, which will force your unit to work extra hard jo produce the amount of heat that your thermostat demands.
Also, let a qualified technician give your heat pump a checkup routinely. Regular tune-ups, like minor component replacement, are necessary to prolong the service life of the entire unit. Observing preventive maintenance might not be free, but pursuing the reactive kind can result in unexpected, unscheduled expenses, which are potentially costlier.
Seal the Gaps
Make sure that the windows and doors in the rooms your heat pump will serve are airtight. Drafts can interfere with your indoor climate and even skew the readings of your thermostat. Also, it will help to keep your curtains closed to insulate the heat.
Buying a heat pump can only solve discomfort if you’re not smart with your decision-making. Put all of these tips to practice to get the most from your HVAC unit and recoup your expenses in a relatively short period.
