Cooperative Living October 2021 - 26

EnergySense | by Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen, Contributing Columnists
1.
1.
2.
Choosing
the Right
Heat Pump
for You
Know the details
before you buy
Dear Pat and Brad: I've heard heat pumps can be
a good alternative for heating my home, but it looks
like there are several types available. Can you explain
a few of the most common options? - Brett
ewer models of heat pumps can
operate effectively in subzero
weather, but sometimes they
do so by switching to electric resistance
mode, which is much less efficient. In a
colder climate, it may be worth investing
in a dual fuel system, where propane
or another fuel provides supplemental
heat on extremely cold days.
Here are a few situations where
you might use the different types of
air-source heat pumps.
DUCTED HEAT PUMP
If your home has a forced-air furnace,
a centralized air-source heat pump can
work well. A compressor outside your
home that looks like an A/C unit is
connected to your home's existing
duct system. Like your furnace, the
temperature is controlled through one
main thermostat. This is a solid solution
if your system has quality ductwork
that heats and cools every room evenly.
But that's rare. Long supply runs
provide little air to some rooms, and
it's typical for some rooms to lack return
air registers.
Also, ductwork is often leaky, which
creates comfort issues. Poor ductwork
will render any kind of central heating or
cooling system much less effective. Some
24 | Cooperative Living | October 2021
MINI-SPLIT HEAT PUMP
If your home does not have ductwork
or the ductwork is poorly designed or
leaky, a ductless mini-split heat pump
might be your best bet. With a minisplit
heat pump, tubes connected to the
outside compressor carry refrigerant
to one or more air handlers, which are
mounted high on a wall to distribute air.
In climates that don't experience
extreme cold, a ductless heat pump
could supply all the heating and cooling
in a small home. They are often used
in combination with a central heating
and cooling system.
GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP
Several feet underground, the
N
Dear Brett: I think it's a good idea to consider a heat pump for your home.
The technology has improved a lot over the past 10 to 20 years and is likely
to be at least 20% more efficient than what you have now. Heat pumps
can also cool your home during summer months, which is an added value.
HVAC contractors can repair ductwork
problems, if the ductwork is accessible.
Heat pumps vary in efficiency, and
this is measured in two ways. The
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor
rating measures heating efficiency and
the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
rating measures cooling efficiency.
The minimum ratings for a new heat
pump are HSPF 8.2 and SEER 14. Heat
pumps with the Energy Star rating are
significantly more efficient than the
minimum standard.
temperature remains constant yearround,
typically between 45 degrees
and 75 degrees, depending on
latitude. Heat is transferred into or
out of the ground by pipes buried in
a loop 10 feet underground or drilled
up to 400 feet into the earth. The
pipes carry water to a compressor,
which uses a refrigerant to transfer
the heat to or from your home's ducts.
A ground source heat pump
system is extremely energy efficient
since the ground's temperature is
warmer than the outside air in the
winter and cooler than the outside air
in the summer. But I should note this
efficiency comes with a high price
tag, which is the initial cost to install
the pipe loop or drill the hole for a
vertical pipe.
Check with your local electric
cooperative for additional information
and guidance. Then you'll be ready
to reach out to contractors and
request a few quotes. 
For additional energy tips and information,
visit collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips.
Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen of
Collaborative Efficiency write on energyefficiency
topics for the National Rural
Electric Cooperative Association.
co-opliving.com
2.
A homeowner shows
off his energy-efficient
ductless heat pump.
An air-source heat pump
compressor is located
outside the home.
3. The condenser for a
3.
4.
4.
mini-split is often mounted
on an exterior wall.
Pipes for a ground-source
heat pump will sit in this
trench.
PHOTO COURTESY
MARCELA GARA
PHOTO COURTESY
MARCELA GARA
PHOTO COURTESY
PETER STEVENS
PHOTO COURTESY DAVE PAPE
http://www.collaborativeefficiency.com/energytips http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living October 2021

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