Heat pumps solutions

To assess the best heat pump solution for you - or whether if heat pumps are a solution for your needs - you have to take into account your climate, your energy consumption, the types of heat pumps in the market and the alternatives...

Heat pump solutions

We can identify five types of heat pump solutions:

- the ductless solution, for small needs and for zone heating and cooling
- the central air-source heat pump solution, for average-large energy consumption in non-freezing climates.
- the ground-source heat pump solution.
- the stand-alone heat pump water heaters solution.
- gas heat pump solutions.

The second and third solutions respond to heating and cooling purposes, and eventually to water-heating. They can also be integrated with pool heating solutions or, when involving water heating, radiant floor heating solutions. They are direct alternatives to both central ducted furnaces and air conditioners.

Ductless heat pumps can be a good response to zone heating and cooling strategies and for home additions.

As to gas heat pumps they only are a solution for very high levels of energy consumption, and very large homes.

Heat pump solutions include warm and cool air systems, and also water heating systems and swimming pool heating... Heat pumps can be air-source and ground-source units (this last type of with pumps are based on a buried system of pipes). Air-source heat pumps work best in moderate climates where they can replace furnaces, boilers and air conditioners with advantage. Energy savings are their big benefit.

Heat pumps solutions & climate

Central air-source heat pumps are good solutions in moderate climates. In colder climates, in freezing conditions (often below 40º F/4º C) they loose efficiency and require supplemental heating. New efficient air-source heat pumps come with that supplemental heating feature, and are more energy-efficiency, but the problem remains for long periods of freezing temperatures.

Ground-source heat pumps can overcome such limitations, but they are costly and pose additional requirements, namely the availability of land to install the loop.

Ground Source Heat pumps Solutions

The implementation of a ground-source heat pump solution requires an investment of at least $10,000, often the double or more. Consequently, if your power consumption isn't high enough, the payback will be too long.

Ground source heat pumps also pose logistical difficulties: you have to have sufficient clean space in your garden or yard...

Heat pump solutions vs. goals

Heat pump solutions are diverse and involve different costs and requirements, which should be taken into account and compared with your goals and benefits.

Ductless air-source heat pump solutions are relatively inexpensive and the best solution for room additions, and to heat a part of the house (zone heating and cooling), and for homes without ducts.

Common air-source solutions require a ducted system and are good alternatives to central air-conditioners and furnaces. Just take into account the dimensions of the existing ductwork, which can be an obstacle (you should assess it with the installer).

Heat pumps solutions & Costs

As mentioned earlier, ground-source heat pumps (and gas heat pumps) involve higher initial costs and only become competitive for users with sufficiently large energy consumption. Other types of heat pumps do not share this feature.

See, for details: Heat Pumps Costs, Prices and Payback