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Thinking about buying a heat pump this winter but need help sorting through the information? Read our handy checklist for everything you need to know to make a smart choice in even the coldest climates.
Published:
February
7,
2024
While heat pumps are becoming more and more popular, don’t feel bad if you don’t know a lot about them. An electric air source heat pump is typically an outdoor unit that both heats and cools your home. They are alternatives to the standard central air conditioners and furnace systems.
How does a heat pump work? That’s another question we get a lot. Essentially, a heat pump uses heat energy and through heat exchange, transfers it to a cooler environment.
This means the air source unit takes the heat in the outside air and transfers it into your home in the winter. It then reverses the process and transfers heat inside your home to the outside in the summer.
For a more detailed explanation, read our blog on demystifying heat pumps.
They are highly efficient.
Heat pumps use electricity, meaning they don’t burn any fossil fuels, and therefore reduce your climate footprint.
A heat pump system can provide long-term cost savings on your energy bills.
Choosing the right unit starts with asking some questions and finding the right answers. Some top heat pump considerations are size, energy efficiency, cost, and brand. Keep reading to learn more about each factor.
1. What size heat pump do I need?
Determining the correct sizing for your home involves either the Manual J load calculation or estimating based on the square footage of your home.
The Manual J load calculation is a series of calculations that HVAC contractors or technicians use to determine how much heating or cooling your home needs. It includes several factors, including:
The square footage of your home
Height of the ceilings
Your home’s insulation
Your climate and how many days you will need heating and cooling
How often you use the space (does anyone work from home?)
How many people use the space
Heat-producing appliances
Your preferred temperature
Number of exterior doors
Number of windows
The technician enters these numbers into a formula to determine the precise size of the unit you need.
A calculation that is simpler but not as precise is calculating the size heat pump you need based on your home’s square footage. In general, Every 500 square feet needs a capacity of one ton for air conditioning.
For example, a 1500-square-foot home would need a 3-ton unit, and a 2500-square-foot home would need a 5-ton unit. But you also need to understand what each ton means in British Thermal Units (BTUs). You might find the chart below helpful in sizing your heat pump.
Home size (sq. ft.)Heat Pump Size (tons)Heat Pump Size (BTUs)500 sq. ft.1-ton heat pump12,000 BTUs1000 sq. ft.2-ton heat pump24,000 BTUs1500 sq. ft.3-ton heat pump36,000 BTUs2000 sq. ft.4-ton heat pump48,000 BTUs2500 sq. ft.5-ton heat pump60,000 BTUsHome size (sq. ft.)
Heat Pump Size (tons)
Heat Pump Size (BTUs)
500 sq. ft.
1-ton heat pump
12,000 BTUs
1000 sq. ft.
2-ton heat pump
24,000 BTUs
1500 sq. ft.
3-ton heat pump
36,000 BTUs
2000 sq. ft.
4-ton heat pump
48,000 BTUs
2500 sq. ft.
5-ton heat pump
60,000 BTUs
2. What energy efficiency ratings should I look for?
In general, we would recommend opting for the most energy-efficient heat pump you can afford. Prices generally go up the larger the unit and the higher the energy efficiency. But remember that the more efficient a unit is, the more it can save you on heating and cooling costs in the future.
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, and SEER2 is the latest version that took effect in 2023. It measures the cooling efficiency of air conditioning units and heat pumps. The higher the SEER2 rating, the more efficient the unit is.
HSPF2 stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor and HSPF2 is the latest standard that took effect in 2023. It’s a measurement of how effectively your heat pump can heat your home in the colder months. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit is in heating mode.
3. What does a heat pump cost?
There is no simple answer to this question because we don’t know all the factors - the size of your home, the type of unit you need/want, and more. In general, the cost of getting a heat pump installed will be more than a standard system with an outdoor AC unit and an indoor furnace. For Trane products specifically, we provide a price range for some units in our pricing guide.
But because of the increased energy efficiency, you may see a near-immediate decrease in your heating and cooling bills, which will last for the life of your system. Add to that the availability of federal heat pump tax credits (up to $2,000) for Energy-Star-qualified units, and buying a heat pump can become a cost-effective home improvement.
You can also use the Energy Star Rebate Finder, which can help you find state and utility company rebates in your area.
4. What brand should I buy?
Research reputable brands in the heat pump industry. Check reviews from websites such as Consumer Reports and others. Look for brand reputation, reliability, and quality. Trane recently achieved the honor of being ranked as the Most Trusted® HVAC Brand for the 10th year in a row, and we are excited to share this news.
You can explore our heat pumps to see the features and efficiency ratings available.
If you live in a colder climate such as Minnesota, you may be wondering if a heat pump vs furnace is right for your home. Heat pumps are very common in the southern states, but heat pumps in cold climates are a viable heating solution when you install a dual-fuel system.
This is when you install a cold climate heat pump that can operate efficiently in colder temperatures, and connect it to a gas furnace which kicks in only in extreme temperatures that the heat pump can’t handle.
You get the energy efficiency of the heat pump and you pay less for natural gas or propane. Plus, you get air conditioning during those summer heat waves that are growing more common in northern climes.
A mini-split heat pump, also known as a ductless heat pump is a heating and cooling system designed for rooms or spaces that don’t have ductwork. This could include a garage, an enclosed porch, an attic, or a lake cabin - you get the idea.
Options include:
An experienced HVAC contractor can help you determine the best solution for your home.
Finding the perfect HVAC contractor for your heat pump installation doesn’t have to be hard. But it will require some research. Here are some quick tips on steps to take to find the right company to do the job:
Ask friends and family for recommendations. NextDoor and Facebook community groups are also good places to ask for recommendations.
Google heat pump installation near me and check out the top 5 results, visiting their websites for valuable information.
Look for industry credentials and certifications, as well as licenses where applicable.
Read their reviews and customer testimonials, and look for how responsive they are to negative feedback, if any.
Confirm that they offer HVAC maintenance and repair services as well as installation.
Choose 2-3 HVAC contractors to visit your home and discuss the type of heat pump system they recommend for your needs, and the sizing that will offer the best comfort and efficiency.
Discuss the installation process and timeline with each contractor.
Discuss project cost and any financing options.
Choose the company you want to work with.
Be sure to keep your receipts for the work you have done and the certificates for the equipment you have installed so that you can claim your tax credits when you file your taxes. Enjoy the comfort of a new heat pump system and watch your utility bills go down.
Are you ready to upgrade your heating and cooling system? From a standard heat pump system to a dual fuel system to a mini-split system, your local Trane Comfort Specialist can help you make the right choice for your home and your family. Reach out today to find the perfect heating and cooling solution for your home.
Choosing an industrial pump is not as easy as it might first sound.
All pumps have the same basic function – converting motor energy into hydraulic energy to help move different materials (such as water, chemicals, and other fluids.) However, based on the fluid properties, pump specs, and the environment in which the unit will be installed, some pumps might be a better fit for you than others.
To make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of the main factors you need to consider when choosing a pump and the most common pump types and their uses (including how to select a heat pump and how to make the right cooling tower pump selection.)
Let’s get started!
Industrial
Pump Selection
: Main Factors That Will Help You Decide
Here are the main factors involved in the industrial pump selection process:
Pump Environment
When choosing a pump, you need to consider the layout and environment of the plant where the unit will be installed. Your considerations should include:
Will the pump be submerged?
Will it be exposed to extreme temperatures?
Will it operate in a hazardous environment?
With competitive price and timely delivery, OUTES sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.
Does your industry have strict environmental regulations?
Here are some factors you should consider:
Atmosphere
Think about whether the pump will operate in a highly humid, corrosive, or hazardous atmosphere.
Based on the atmosphere characteristics, you might need to consider getting an industrial pump with a chemical duty motor (for hazardous atmospheres), tropical duty motor (for humid atmospheres) or wash down duty motor (for wash down areas.)
Temperature
Based on the temperature, you need to consider the pump motor’s maximum temperature constraints and construction materials.
Altitude
If you’re planning to install the pump at a higher altitude, this can affect the pump flow performance due to the lower air pressure, motor fan cooling, and net positive suction head (NPSH.) The lower pressure and NPSH can cause cavitation (when the fluid inside the pump is close to boiling temperature).
Power source availability
Consider the electrical source voltage and whether that can sustain your pump’s operation (especially if you’re considering a more powerful pump). Special motors can also be powered by DC batteries, compressed air, or pressurized hydraulic oil.
Fluid Properties
It’s vital to assess all technical characteristics of the fluid that the pump will be handling on a regular basis. This includes:
Viscosity
The higher the fluid’s viscosity, the more resistant it is to the flow in the pump. This is one of the leading factors that will determine the type of pump you’ll need to install. For example, low viscosity fluids (like water and oil) can be managed by a centrifugal pump, but higher viscosity fluids like paints and greases are handled better by positive-displacement pumps.
Concentration
The fluid resistance can also be affected by its concentration and particle size.
Flammability
If you’re operating highly flammable fluids, consider getting an industrial pump made of stainless steel.
Specific gravity
The fluid’s specific gravity is also of vital importance for the pump performance. Water has a specific gravity of 1.0, while some chemicals and solvents might have lower or higher gravity.
Pump System Properties
When you know all the environment and fluid specifics, you need to determine what pump specs will best fit them. These include:
Flow rate and pressure
The flow rate indicates the pump capacity (the volume of liquid pumped at a given time.) The pressure can be calculated using the pipe size and friction loss. These two factors are in direct correlation to the pump size.
Head
There are a few different types of heads:
Suction head (when liquid supply is above the pump).
System head (indicates the pressure needed to sustain the liquid flow through the pumping system).
Discharge head (indicates the maximum height reached by the pipe from the discharge port).
Suction lift
This indicates that the liquid supply happens below the pump.
Net positive suction head (NPSH)
NPSH shows the pressure at the pump’s suction port. This can be broken down into two variables: NPSH Available (the absolute pressure) and NPSH Required (the minimum pressure that prevents cavitation).
Construction materials
Industrial pumps are commonly made from stainless steel, iron, or brass. You should choose the construction material based on the type of fluid the pump will be in contact with.
Maintenance requirements
Understand whether you will be able to take full charge of the pump’s maintenance or if you’ll need expert help. Also, consider whether you are ready to cover any repair costs or prefer to buy a new pump in case of breakage.
Energy efficiency
Ensure the pump has good energy efficiency rates to reduce energy costs.
Ease of use
Find out how easy it is to install the pump and operate it on a daily basis. Will your employees need special training? Will you need to do regular maintenance checks, and can you do them internally or will you need to hire a specialist?
Motor type
Based on the motor type, there are three different pump types:
Electric pumps
: This type of pump is driven by an electric motor.
Autonomous pumps
: These pumps have their own combustion engine. They’re typically used in the agriculture and firefighting sectors.
Pneumatic pumps
: These pumps operate with compressed air.
Control system
Industrial pumps are usually operated with the help of advanced software. So, when choosing a pump, ensure that the metering equipment and its software are easy to use and run smoothly since this can affect your daily workflow tremendously.
Next, let’s look at a few possible pump options and their use cases.
7 Pump Types and Their Uses
Here are some of the most commonly used pump types:
Centrifugal Pump
Centrifugal pumps can pump large volumes of low viscosity fluids at a constant flow. They offer good efficiency and are ideal for wastewater and petrochemical applications.
Cooling Tower Pump
When it comes to cooling tower pump selection, you should be aware that this pump is primarily used to remove heat from air-conditioning systems.
Cooling tower pumps are used when the heat from the air-conditioning cannot be repurposed in any other way. If you are opting for this pump type, make sure to check what the requirements for the cooling system are first since this can limit the size of the cooling tower pump as well.
Heat Pump
Heat pumps are used to recover, increase, and repurpose heat streams from different operating systems. But how to select a heat pump that will suit your needs? There are three main heat pump types:
Air-source heat pumps
: These heat pumps have a simple design and high-efficiency levels.
Ground-source heat pumps
: Ground-source pumps have lower carbon emissions than air-sourced pumps, but they have a more complex installation process.
Water-source heat pumps
: The biggest benefit of these pumps is they can also use the water source as a coolant.
Diaphragm Pump
Diaphragm pumps are a good solution if you need to move dense liquids. They can also run dry and do not require lubrication. Before installing a diaphragm pump, you need to check your pneumatic network capacity. Since this pump type is pneumatically operated it is primarily used in the chemical, mining, and food industries.
Peristaltic Pump
These self-priming pumps ensure precise fluid dosage and a sterile environment, so the liquid is safe from contamination.
As such, peristaltic pumps are ideal for moving clean fluids and are used mainly in the medical and chemical industries. However, keep in mind that these pumps have a lower flow rate and require regular maintenance.
Piston Pump
Piston pumps are ideal for medium-flow and high-pressure operations that involve low viscosity fluids. However, the presence of any particles might disrupt their proper operation. Such pumps are mostly used in the oil industry.
Gear Pump
This pump type is used to transport highly viscous clean liquids at high pressure. Gear pumps are compact, reliable, and offer a simple design and low-noise operation levels. They’re mainly used in the plastics processing industry.
Choose the Best Industrial Pump Type for Your Needs
Choosing the right pump type can affect your industrial plant efficiency and costs. To choose the right kind of pump, you need to be aware of all the main factors that play a crucial role in your day-to-day operations.
Additionally, once you’ve settled on the pump make and model and have installed the unit, you need to ensure the pump is regularly maintained to prevent any excessive wear and tear or breakage.
If you need reliable industrial pump repair experts, Houston Pump & Gear is here to help. We can answer all your industrial pump repair questions. We also offer all types of pump service, including centrifugal, piston, gear, and cooling tower repair.
We also help with gearbox repair and provide services like helical gear cutting and complete gearbox overhaul. Just give us a call to get a custom quote today.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Commercial Air Source Heat Pump Manufacturer. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.