You’ve done your research. You’ve determined that heat pumps are a good money-saving alternative to other heating systems. But now you’re wondering: “What heat pump size do I need?”
Installing a heat pump that is too large for your home will increase its wear and tear due to overworking. Similarly, a heat pump that is too small may not be able to maintain coolness, increasing discomfort.
In both scenarios, your system ends up costing you more money and energy. In order to determine what heat pump size you need, it is integral to understand how a heat pump works.
How Does a Heat Pump Work?
Heat pumps are climate-control systems that function similar to an air conditioner. They primarily utilize a refrigeration mechanism for heating and cooling rather than the standard fuel combustion method.
In simple terms, the heat pump extracts warm air on a cold day and cold air on a warm day from outside to regulate the internal climate of your home.
What you need to know
The ability to perfectly size a heat pump requires knowledge and skill that only a certified technician will have.
Unfortunately, not every heat pump installer is professionally skilled. This is why people occasionally end up with poor-functioning or ill-fitting heat pumps.
The basic information all homeowners should know is that heat pumps range from 6Kw – 15Kw. They have an industry standard temperature of seven or thirty-five degrees Celsius. Your choice in heat pump will also rely on three key factors:
- Preferred room temperature: The controlled temperature of your home depends on preference. For lower temperatures, it is generally advised that you choose a smaller heat pump size. However, there’s a heat loss that you need to calculate measuring the difference between interior and exterior temperatures.
- Outdoor design temperature: If you are using an air source heat pump, then it’s going to absorb warm air from the exterior environment and transfer it into the house. Heat pumps need to meet your home’s year-round needs, which is why they are custom designed according to the lowest temperature in your region. Another factor that contributes to external temperature is wind chill factor. The lower the outside temperature, the smaller your heat pump size will be.
- Flow temperature: This is the temperature of the water that circulates throughout your home’s radiators. When your radiator is too small, then you don’t have enough flow temperature and will require more warmth to meet the desired temperature level. The insulation also matters a lot here as it ensures that there’s less seepage of warm air outside.
Estimate Heat Pump Size
Determining the heat pump size you need is not easy, and getting it right is vital in ensuring that it performs at its highest capacity.
Although you can attempt to size a heat pump on your own, it is recommended that you hire an experienced HVAC technician who will be able to confidently size and install your equipment.
In addition to helping you select the proper pump, they can also provide maintenance and repair services should your heating system need it later on down the road. By hiring a professional, you’ll get the perfect heat pump that works efficiently and doesn’t cost.
