Heat Pump buying & Installers

STOP GLOBAL WARMING
Save energy and money

Heat Pump Buying & Installers

Initial contacts

To begin the heat pump buying process you may...

- Contact a manufacturer for more information and quotes. Manufacturers will put you in contact with local heat pump dealers and installers.

For a list of heat pumps manufacturers and associations, see: Heat Pumps Manufacturers and Associations.

- Talk with a local retailer or installer to answer your initial questions, doubts and assess your needs.

Quality is of huge importance when choosing a heat pump, but also the size and design of the pump (which depend on your particular needs, home’s characteristics and location and climate).

That’s why choosing a good installer is also of paramount importance.

Evaluation

Typically, before presenting a quote the retailer or installer will assess features as...

- your particular cooling and heating needs in order to determine the proper heat pump size, type and design;
- ducts, insulation, ground around or below your home (in the case of Geothermal Heat Pumps) and other questions concerning installation (see also Ground Heat Pumps installation);
- your preferences and options, concerning the unit, that may involve features as quietness (modern heat pumps are particularly silent) demand-defrost control (it will minimizes the defrost cycles, reducing electric consumption) or remote controls (that will allow you to command your heat pump from outside your home);
- possible financial rebates and incentives available in your area (see: Heat Pumps: State financial incentives

Dealers and Installers
Examples of questions you may ask to them

Equipment
- Is the heat pump a certified unit?
- What is the performance rating (COR) of the heat pump?
- Do the several materials conform to the manufacturer’s specifications?
- Is the heat pump refrigerant eco-friendly?
- Do the heat pump system provide hot water?
- Is a supplementary heating system needed in low-temperature days?
- Which are the average operating costs? Which is the heat pump payback?

Prices
- What elements are covered by the price? (Equipment? Labor? Installation?)
- Is there any uncovered additional costs?
- What are the financing options? And the financial incentives?
- Which are the payment terms?

Installation
- Will any part of the installation be sub-contracted?
- How long will the installation take?
Ask also references, accreditation and basic information:
- How long is the contractor or the installer in business?
- Do they belong to trade and professional associations?
...

After-sales services
- Does the contract involve after sales services?
- Which are the warranties for the heat pump and its several main components?
- Which are the normal services, the documentation or the dealers emergency services included in the after-sales agreement?

Finance incentives, rebates and tax credits

Official incentives are typically initiated by installers and dealers. They will contact the program authorities (on the customer's behalf) to apply for the rebate or incentives.

See: Heat Pumps State Incentives

Choosing a heat pump.

If possible, choose a certified unit. That will ensure high levels of performance and a more reliable and eco-friendly product.

See, for details: Heat Pumps Efficiency and rating

Heat pumps sizes

Sizing a heat pump should be decided with the help of the installer...

There are many sizes, but the most typical home sizes range from 1,5 to 5 ton capacity. Sizing is an important question that depends on your needs, on your home's insulation, configuration, climate, etc.

A common reference in mild-cold climates is 400 square feet of living space per heat pump ton (a 3-ton system for a 1,200-square-foot house...) but that is just a rough reference, mainly valid to older homes, with poor energy-designs and poor insulation. Houses with good insulation will demand smaller systems.