But did you know you can use them to keep your home cool during the summer as well? If you’re familiar with your heat pump, you probably have a good idea of where to set the thermostat. The information on this website is for informational purposes only; it is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. How to use your heat pump efficiently. Like all other systems, make sure that you are paying attention to your filter. The COP tells us how much heat the heat pump creates using one watt of electricity. What Qualifies for the Residential Energy Tax Credit? Air-Source Heat Pumps The air-source or air-to-air heat pump is the most popular type of heat pump today. Even a one-degree adjustment can make a big difference. Don't set your heat pump to the maximum – it won't heat the room any quicker, but it will use more energy. Heat pumps are among the most efficient heating systems you can install to keep your home warm in the winter. Use the timer The first step to an efficient heat pump is learning how to use the timer feature, said Hoerning. Avoid using “Auto” mode, as this could cause the system to heat on a cool summer night or cool on a sunny winter afternoon. It may seem a little early to start talking about summer, but now that the polar vortex (formerly known as winter) seems to be winding down, this is as good a time as any to talk about using heat pumps for cooling! *See https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-and-cool/heat-pump-systems. Consequently, it is recommended to only lower your set point by 3˚ – 5˚ when your system is in the unoccupied or night setting. Maintaining your heat pump Clean the filters monthly, or every two weeks if using it a lot. However, if you’re new to your heat pump system, it may take some getting used to. However, many of our customers want to know how to use a heat pump properly and in the most energy-efficient way. Take as much time as necessary to learn how each setting corresponds with the climate inside your home. Cooling costs can get expensive, and every degree you set your thermostat higher can save you 3 – 5 percent on your monthly energy bills! This doesn’t mean your heat pump should run all the time. The main types of heat pumps There are three types of heat pumps: Air Source, Water Source, and Ground Source or Geothermal. Start … Cranking the thermostat to 90 won’t heat your home up faster – but it will burn a … Refrigerant enters the compressor (outdoor unit) of your heat pump system as a hot low-pressure gas and is compressed into a high-pressure gas. They work on the principle of capturing heat and moving it from place to place, removing it from your home to provide cooling in the summer and bringing in heat from the outdoors for warming in the winter. The efficient way works like an air conditioner that has been turned around. Now a hot low-pressure gas once again, the cycle starts over. If you rely on a heat pump to keep you warm over those long Boston winters, it makes sense to operate it as efficiently as possible. Peninsula The cold, low-pressure liquid now moves into the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from air blown over the evaporator coils and turns into a gas. © 2021 Peninsula. What this means is they use a refrigerant to absorb heat from the air inside your home and transport it outside. While most efficient heat pump models can function efficiently in temperatures as low as -27 degrees celsius, it is a good idea to have a backup heating source for those unusually cold days where a heat pump loses its advantage in heating efficiency. Let’s look at each type individually to see what would serve your needs best. A heat pump is designed to pull the heat energy out of the outside air and use it to warm the inside of your home. Gas energy can be less wasteful than electric heat pumps if you live in an area where natural gas is affordable. In other words, set the thermostat, walk away. It works like this: During the winter, your heat pump follows the exact same steps in reverse, absorbing heat energy from the outside and moving it indoors. Fax: 302-629-3870. 40 South Market Street Seaford, DE 19973, Phone: 302-629-3002 Don’t set your heat pump to the maximum – it won’t heat the room any quicker, but it will use more energy. Generally speaking, it’s more efficient to leave a heat pump on than to continually turn it on and off. Heat pumps do not generate heat, but rather move it from one place to another. Mini Split Heat Pumps are popular for heating and cooling garages or other open spaced rooms. All Rights Reserved | Disclosure Policy. Upon exiting the expansion valve, the pressure lets up. It simply means you should use the “auto” fan setting on the thermostat to ensure that it kicks on and off based on your preferences. Set it and forget it. Like electric heat pumps, they’re more efficient than furnaces in temperate climates. This will make sure that … "Don't leave your heat pump on all day if you're not there. Set your heat pump mode to “Heat” in winter and “Cool” in summer. Here are some examples of how to maintain your heat pump: Even though it takes time to do these things, it’s much better than neglecting your system and dealing with the consequences (higher energy costs and a greater likelihood of malfunction). If you buy one that’s too small, it won’t have the power to heat your entire home. (If cooling in summer, direct the cold air high across the room, where it will sink down, cooling the room). This is a common question with a pretty simple answer: yes. A heat pump, as part of a central heating and cooling system, uses the outside air to both heat a home in winter and cool it in summer. The Top Daikin Heat Pump Models For … As a Boston resident, you’re all too familiar with wild temperature swings. Now a cold, pressurized liquid, the refrigerant moves into the expansion valve, which restricts the flow of the liquid. Experiment by opening a few doors to expand the zone, then turn up the fan. One way heat pumps are rated is the coefficient of performance (COP). The controller is used to: • set the appropriate flow and return temperatures of the fluid passing through the heat pump to provide space heating • set the temperature of hot water in a system that provides hot water as well a space heating; in a system where the hot water is usually runs at less than 60°C it will be programmed to raise the temperature of the water to 60°C or more at periodic intervals to avoid … Most Energy Efficient Heat Pumps for 2020 The most efficient heat pumps are chosen by homeowners in climates with extreme heat and for those that want their heating and air conditioning to be as ecofriendly as possible. For example, if a heat pump has a COP of 3, this means the heat pump is capable of producing 3 units of heat for every watt of power used. At that point, either a gas furnace or an air handler with supplemental electric heat will kick in to help heat your home. Most heat pumps produce heat in two ways; one way is very efficient and the other is not. The best way to use a heat pump is to keep the setting low (18ºC or - 20ºC). Most homes will still have an electricity bill for power used overnight, during storms, or during periods of high use such as very hot periods of summer. First, adjust the switch on the bottom of the thermostat from HEAT to COOL—this will reverse the heat pump cycle. In addition to basic upkeep, they can also: There may be something you’re overlooking that a professional will immediately notice. Ductless mini-split heat pump systems are an efficient heating and cooling solution that can keep Massachusetts residents comfortable all year round, even in very cold temperatures. For example, if you set back the heat pump’s thermostat, it causes your backup heating system to kick on. Next, make sure the fan is set to AUTO instead of on—this will prevent the fan from running all day and night, which will cost you a lot of money and can potentially damage your system. When you call Peninsula, we will test connections, monitor airflow, and perform a number of other checks to make sure your system will last all summer long without any major problems. At what temperatures are heat pumps most effective? Set your thermostat at a temperature you find comfortable and … Minimize changes to the temperature setting You should be changing your filters every month to three months, depending on how often you’re using your system. Check your air filters – your Peninsula technician will do this as part of a heat pump inspection, but it doesn’t hurt to be in the habit of checking your air filters—especially when it gets really hot while you’re running your heat pump in the summer. Heat pumps work most efficiently when maintaining a temperature. The heat pump is most effective on its own at temperatures around 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. I have contacted a couple of HVAC dealers to quote for a heat pump to replace an old gas furnace only system (no AC and no solar). For example, if you set back the heat pump’s thermostat, it causes your backup heating system to kick on. The 2020 Most Efficient Heat Pumps are: Carrier Infinity 24 with Greenspeed 25VNA4 According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, the energy consumption difference between a properly maintained heat pump and one that’s neglected can reach as high as 25 percent. During the summer, heat pumps work just like regular air conditioners. Subsequently, it’ll use more energy, as these are typically more expensive to operate. You might be surprised how much space a heat pump can heat. Generally speaking, it’s more efficient to leave a heat pump on than to continually turn it on and off. Here’s the bottom line: heat pumps work most efficiently when they’re set to maintain a steady temperature in your home. During the summer months, this means that heat is transferred from the indoors to … Conversely, once the winter season rolls around, temperatures at or below freezing are commonplace. If this sounds like you, it never hurts to learn how to efficiently operate your heat pump. Now a hot high-pressure gas, the refrigerant enters the condenser where it is condensed into a liquid. High wall mounted heat pump Floor mounted heat pump For heating, direct the warm air down across the floor where it will rise up, warming the room. Maintaining Your Heat Pump Turn the power off on your unit before cleaning it in the spring. For example, Mitsubishi is a leader in this niche of the HVAC market, with many of its systems designed to heat and cool entire homes. The most common type of heat pump is the air-source heat pump, which transfers heat between your house and the outside air. A heat pump uses what is called a reversing valve to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. Most of today’s thermostats are programmable and allow you to set a schedule to match your preference. During the summer months, it’s not out of the question for temperatures to reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. During the summer, heat pumps operate just like energy-efficient air conditioners, pulling heat out of the air in your home and keeping the inside comfortable. Not only does this save you money, but it also puts less strain on your system. They also require an available water source near your home. The problem is that these heat strips are much less efficient than your actual heat pump. For this reason, this heat source is rather energy efficient. Call Boston Standard Company, The Company You Count On. Based on your heating fuel cost comparison chart, it appears heat pump is the most cost effective. In fact, it costs two to five times as much to get the same amount of heat from the heat strips as it does from the normal operation of the heat pump system. 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