HOMEOWNER RESOURCES
Is a Heat Pump Right For My Home?
With the recent Seattle Times article “What you should know about heat pumps in the Pacific Northwest”, we have received many questions from homeowners about whether a heat pump is right for their home.
The answer in the majority of cases is yes.
In our new blog series, we will go through the key topics that were discussed in the article. For our first post, we will showcase some typical home types in the Pacific Northwest, and how they stack up as candidates for heat pump installations.
Single family home, forced air system, built 1980’s ~ present
Excellent Heat Pump Candidate
Excellent candidates for heat pump installations without major alterations to the home or ductwork. These homes are generally built with a forced air HVAC system. The furnace, typically located in the garage, can easily be replaced with a heat pump and air handler.
Due to improved building codes, these homes typically do not require additional building shell improvements (insulation / air sealing) in the Pacific Northwest climate to be compatible with a heat pump system.
Most of these homes have a 200A electrical panel, which avoid costly electrical upgrades, even when installing heat strips with a new heat pump system.
Single family home, forced air system, built 1950’s ~1980’s
Great Heat Pump Candidate
Generally great candidates for heat pump installations, and the majority of homes do not require significant improvements to be compatible with a heat pump system. Especially if any improvements have been made such as windows being updated or attic insulation being added, these homes are excellent candidates.
Since insulation levels can vary, if the home has very high heating bills compared with its neighbors or has noticeable hot and cold spots, it may be a sign that some building shell work or supplemental heat sources would allow a heat pump to operate better.
In some cases, the forced air system may not cover the entire home. In these cases, a central forced air heat pump can be combined with a mini-split to provide complete coverage and comfort.
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HOMEOWNER RESOURCES
Eden Home Basics
What is the difference between heat pumps and cooling-only ACs?
If you are considering a system to cool your home, both heat pumps and air conditioners will do the job. However, a heat pump will also provide highly efficient heating during the winter as well.
What is a heat pump and why should I upgrade?
A heat pump provides all-in-one heating and cooling for perfect year-round comfort. Not only that, it operates more than 3x efficiently compared with a standard furnace.
What is the difference between heat pumps and furnaces?
Heat pumps and furnaces heat your home – but in different ways. The most significant difference between furnaces and heat pumps is that furnaces create their own heat.