High Efficiency Heat Pumps

While heat pump technology is not new, the equipment and technology are always advancing. Heat pumps can keep you warm and save you money, even in chilly New Hampshire.  A cold-weather, high-efficiency heat pump is a great option for homes and businesses alike. 

A heat pump uses technology similar to a refrigerator or freezer to heat or cool your home or business. Rather than combusting a fuel, heat pumps move heat from an outside source to inside, even when it’s below freezing out. Ultimately, what that means is you can heat your home more efficiently and see the results in your energy costs. High efficiency heat pumps are 300% more efficient than traditional heating systems.

How Heat Pumps Work 

Heat pump technology is not new as it has been used in Europe for decades where they have been faced with high energy costs. A heat pump uses technology similar to a refrigerator or freezer to heat or cool your building. A heat pump is highly efficient because instead of creating heat, it use electric power to move heat from one place to another in the same manner your refrigerator extracts heat from the inside and expels it to the back of the fridge. The result is that it can heat or cool your building more efficiently and see the results in your energy costs. 

Benefits of Heat Pumps 

Heat Pumps can be used for Heating 

While many people think of heat pumps as solutions for cooling they provide a significant benefit for heating as well.  In Northern New England, the number of days needed for heating are typically twice that of the number of days needed for cooling.  Heat pump efficiencies exceed 300% throughout most of the heating season with many systems maintain high efficiencies and output in temperatures as low as -17°F.  Oil and propane systems are usually around 85-95% and electric baseboard 100%. 

Heat Pumps can be used for Air Conditioning 

Your heat pump also has the ability to extract heat from inside your building and transfer it outside (in exactly the same way as a fridge works). The term “Air Conditioning” is more commonly used for the cooling cycle or function of your heat pump.  A heat pump dehumidifies the air as it cools resulting in a much more comfortable environment, and there is no need to empty the reservoir of water as your heat pump is has a permanent drain to the outside.  A heat pump is extremely quiet unlike traditional air conditioners. 

Heat Pumps provide comfort and convenience

A heat pump provides you with the ability to easily control and maintain your climate to your comfort levels.  Traditional heating and cooling systems operate in an “on/off” mode meaning the system is either heating/cooling the space or it is off.  The result of this is a wide temperature swing as the traditional system will “overshoot” the temperature set point and then shut off while slowly “undershooting” the set point before turning back on.  With an inverter driven heat pump, the system will speed up or slow down to meet the heating/cooling needs of the space just like the gas pedal on your car allows you to navigate city and highway driving.  This provides a consistent temperature, quiet operation, and high efficiencies. Even when you are away from building, you can monitor and adjust your heat pumps accordingly using a mobile app.    

 Heat Pumps are safe 

Unlike gas heating or wood burners, there are no flames or hot surfaces that children or pets can touch and burn themselves on. They can also be safely left on while you’re out or asleep.   Heat pumps don’t create smoke, ashes, moisture or any other waste material for you to remove. There are no trips required outside in the cold and rain for wood or pellets. 

 Other Great Benefits of Heat Pumps  

• Heat Pumps can add value to the building as an efficient way to heat and cool 
• Heat Pumps save space versus having separate heating and cooling systems 
• Heat Pumps are “eco-friendly” as they have no on-site carbon emissions  
• Heat Pumps dehumidify creating a more comfortable space 
• Heat Pumps require very little maintenance especially compared to traditional heating systems 

Operating & Maintenance Tips 

• Set it and forget it!  Don’t make big changes to the setpoint on the heat pumps like you would with traditional heating systems.  Heat pumps operate at their highest efficiency when they run low and slow, and big set point changes will make them kick into high gear 
• Clean the air filters once a month, or as needed. The inside air handling unit needs a constant flow of air to work efficiently. When the filter gets dirty, it causes the air handler to work overtime just to get air through the unit.  Some air filters can be cleaned with water or by lightly vacuuming them. 
• Keep the outdoor condensing unit free from debris. If leaves, dirt, and other debris clog the intake, this will cause the unit to work less efficiently, and can lead to damage of the components.  It is very important to remove snow or ice buildup during the winter. 
• Clean the vents. When you’re clean air filters, take time to clean the air intake vents. Like the filters, if the vent gets clogged, it causes the air handler to work harder than it should. 
• Don’t enclose your heat pump to try to protect it from outdoor elements, the units are designed for outdoor use. 
• Make sure vents inside the building are clear. If you have furniture blocking a vent or have curtain/drapes in front of unit the room won’t warm or cool properly. This makes the entire system work harder. 
• Have an annual checkup. An HVAC technician can check the entire system and see if there are any leaks or other problems that need to be addressed. This helps the system to work more efficiently, and also prolongs its life. 

For more information regarding High Efficiency Heat Pumps and Rebates, please contact NHEC at heatpumps@nhec.com.

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