With Florida’s generally warm climate, a heat pump is an economical and practical way to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. If you have recently purchased a heat pump, installing it correctly will help the pump function at its full potential. The following tips will help you avoid common inconveniences caused by improper heat pump installation:
- Make your home as energy efficient as possible. Replace your old drafty windows with energy-efficient units, seal air leaks where cables and wires come into your home and add insulation, paying special attention to your attic. These measures can make it possible to buy a smaller (and less expensive) heat pump.
- If possible, make sure your ductwork is located inside conditioned spaces. Ductwork that runs through an uninsulated crawlspace, attic or basement is subject to heat transfer.
- If your ductwork must run through an unconditioned space, insulate it to an R-value of eight.
- Locate your outdoor unit on the north side of your home. If that’s not possible, pick a spot that’s shady during the hottest part of the day. Keep a well-cleared area all around the unit.
- Let your contractor know that you want the calculated air leakage to be under 10 percent of the unit’s airflow.
- Try to have one return-air vent in each room.
- Avoid using any building cavity as an air duct. Building cavities are leaky, undermine comfort and often develop moisture problems.
- Once ductwork is installed, make sure it’s tight, especially at the seams.
If you have any questions or need assistance, contact Cox Air Conditioning & Heating. Our NATE-certified technicians can provide professional heat pump installation and expert advice on all your home comfort needs.
