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“Cold-Climate Heat Pump Dos & Don’ts”: Presentation by Jon Harrod, President of Snug Planet

7/7/2020

13 Comments

 
Picture
Part of HeatSmart Tompkins’ mission is to inform and educate the community about the benefits of energy-efficient, heat pump technology – an objective that Jon Harrod, President of Snug Planet, also values. Jon presented an excellent webinar for our “Lunchtime Installer Series” recently, in which he shared best practices for installation and operation of cold-climate air-source heat pumps.

Jon discussed the importance of customer education – beginning during sales and the design process and continuing through installation and service. This process ensures that realistic expectations are created, basic operation and best practices for the system are explained, and maintenance and service needs for the future are understood. We’ve highlighted some of the points that Jon hit below.

Benefits of Cold-Climate Air-Source Heat Pumps:

  • Flexible in their application
  • Efficient in both heating and cooling modes
  • Cost-effective choice, especially when replacing an expensive fuel such as oil, propane, or electric resistance
  • Simple to install
  • Most scalable path towards a low-carbon home
  • Provides low-carbon heating and cooling

The following is a summary of Jon’s list of Dos and Don’ts for your cold-climate ASHP installers to ensure that these systems work effectively with proper temperature control, efficient operation, long lifespan and durability, no excessive noise from the system, and genuine customer satisfaction.

DO


Size equipment thoughtfully
  • Too small: won’t do the job
  • Too big: inefficient, will cycle too frequently

Put compact-ducted heads in small rooms or use baseboard/radiant heating/cooling for very small rooms
  • Increase efficiency

Elevate the outdoor unit
  • Keep the unit from becoming buried in the snow for airflow

Install a high-wall unit at least 6 inches below the ceiling
  • Ensures proper heat exchange and circulation

Seal wall penetrations
  • Eliminates air-leakage
  • Temperature and humidity control

​Drain condensate properly

Use torque wrenches: ensure that they are 100% tight
  • Absorb heat and release it very efficiently

Pay attention to line set insulation
  • Ensures no heat loss

Educate customers!
  • Starts during sales and design process
  • Continues through installation and service

DON'T


​Put ductless heads in small rooms
  • Comfort issues
  • Refrigerant noise
  • Oversizing of outdoor unit
  • Too frequent cycling

Mount outdoor units on wood-framed wall
  • Stability issues

Mount units too close to the ceiling
  • Decrease amount of heat exchange and circulation

Skimp on leak testing
  • Decrease efficiency and durability
  • Majority of leaks can be prevented with thorough testing
13 Comments
Chris Pederson link
2/12/2021 04:28:47 pm

My house gets extremely cold in the Winter and incredibly hot during the Summer. You said that air-source heat pumps are great at heating and cooling modes. That sounds like a fantastic way to keep my home at a comfortable temperature all year long.

Reply
Clover Rayner link
3/3/2021 11:20:05 am

Jon presented an excellent webinar for our “Lunchtime Installer Series” recently, in which he shared best practices for installation and operation of cold-climate air-source heat pumps.

Reply
Clover Rayner link
3/4/2021 11:46:26 am

Part of HeatSmart Tompkins’ mission is to inform and educate the community about the benefits of energy-efficient, heat pump technology – an objective that Jon Harrod, President of Snug Planet, also values. Jon presented an excellent webinar for our “Lunchtime Installer Series” recently, in which he shared best practices for installation and operation of cold-climate air-source heat pumps.

Reply
Clover Rayner link
3/8/2021 11:53:37 am

“Cold-Climate Heat Pump Dos & Don'ts”: Presentation by Jon Harrod, President of Snug Planet. Part of HeatSmart Tompkins' mission is to inform and educate the community about the benefits of energy-efficient, heat pump technology – an objective that Jon Harrod, President of Snug Planet, also values.

Reply
Moisture Master link
4/17/2021 06:18:30 am

I loved your blog and thanks for publishing this news!! I am really happy to come across this exceptionally well written content. Thanks for sharing and look for more in future!!

Reply
Adam Golightly link
5/17/2021 05:53:15 pm

My mom has been thinking about getting a ducted heat pump system for her home because she wants to be a lot safer. She would really like to get some help from a professional because they will be able to work a lot better. I liked what you said about how they can be more efficient in heating, cooling, and money because it can be a lot better.

Reply
Lisa
5/18/2021 02:03:05 pm

Are you in Tompkins or Chemung County? I can help you with resources for this area. If you are not in these counties, there are a number of HeatSmart programs throughout New York state. You can find information about them here: GetHeatSmart.org

Reply
calldreamteam link
2/23/2022 06:23:21 am

The overall installation cost of your furnace, heat pump or dual fuel system depends heavily on your home’s compatibility and current system setup. For instance, some homes may not have access to natural gas, making an air conditioner and furnace installation a more expensive alternative to a heat pump system.

Reply
callsmoothsailing link
5/23/2022 06:49:48 am

I agree. Heat pumps come with multiple advantages for your home. Pumping the heat uses less electricity as compared to when electricity is solely used as a means to convert it. During the summers, the cycle can be reversed and the unit acts like an air conditioner.

Reply
Olivia H link
5/26/2022 11:59:03 am

Greaat post thank you

Reply
callonthedouble link
7/11/2022 06:13:53 am

Prior to your purchasing decision of a heat pump system, it is important to inform yourself about heat pumps upsides and downsides.

Reply
Julian link
9/13/2022 09:23:41 am

Totally agreeing with your post. Discussing the importance of customer education – which begins during sales, the design process and continuing through installation and service.

This process ensures that realistic expectations are created, basic operation and best practices for the system are explained, and maintenance and service needs for the future are understood.

Discussing these with the list of do's and don'ts simply help the customer's gain trust to the service provider.

Reply
hickoryheatingandcooling link
9/19/2022 06:38:10 am

Heat pumps are very efficient heating and cooling systems and can significantly reduce your energy costs. In thinking of the home as a system, it is recommended that heat losses from your home be minimized from areas such as air leakage (through cracks, holes), poorly insulated walls, ceilings, windows and doors.

Reply



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