how to install a heat pump
1. You will definitely be relying on professional contractors to properly install a heat pump, be it air-source or ground-source. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be equipped with some basic installation guidelines to ensure that the job is well done.
2. If installing a ground-source heat pump that draws on well water or a local water source, make sure the water quality is high and that this process is legal in your area. Poor water with lots of particulate matter, or highly acidic water, will hamper the performance of your heat pump.
3. The manufacturer’s product literature will tell you how loud the heat pump can be. Make sure that this noise level falls within the acceptable bounds of your area. If using an air-source heat pump, the contractor should install it ideally where it won’t be near neighbors.
4. Be sure the installation is made in the proper location relative to pre-existing furnaces.
5. The outside portion of the air-source heat pump should be on a platform to promote drainage and ensure that it won’t be snowed in. A windy location should be avoided.
6. No matter what type of heat pump you chose, make sure you have chosen a reliable, experienced contractor with a good track record. The contractor should be able to examine your home and tell you how much work your heat pump will have to do to heat and cool it. Also, the contractor should check to make sure your ductwork and electrical system can handle the addition of a heat pump.
