Buying guide for Best heat pumps
Many of us look forward to coming home to a refreshing icebox in the summer and a toasty warm cave in the winter. Central heating and cooling is one of the greatest inventions of the twentieth century, and the house thermostat is our friend – that is, until the monthly energy bill arrives. Fortunately, there’s a newer technology that not only provides the same level of heating and cooling but also does it more economically. Welcome to the world of heat pumps.
Heat pumps take advantage of the surrounding environment and the laws of thermodynamics to both heat and cool. All ambient air contains heat energy, and a heat pump extracts that energy, reducing the need for more expensive forms of temperature regulation, such as gas-powered flames or electric heating coils. A heat pump also works in reverse, pulling heated air out of a room and replacing it with cooler air.
Many homeowners buy heat pump systems as economical alternatives to expensive central HVAC units and fuel-hungry furnaces or electric heaters.
Traditional HVAC systems vs. heat pumps
Traditional HVAC systems
An air conditioner generates refrigerated air and a furnace generates heated air through the use of electric coils or a gas flame. This heated or cooled air is forced into living spaces through ducts. The air eventually returns to the AC or heater, where the process starts all over again. This requires a constant supply of energy to cool down or reheat the air as it circulates through the system.
Heat pumps
A heat pump transfers heat energy from one area to another. Outside air contains ambient heat energy, and this can be captured by an outdoor heat pump. The pump concentrates the heated air before sending it through ductwork or pipes to individual heating/cooling zones inside the home. A heat pump also draws hot air from interior rooms and exhausts it outside, thus creating a “heat sink” cooling effect.
Is a heat pump right for my home?
In most cases, a heat pump should be more cost efficient than a traditional HVAC system. However, it isn’t an ideal solution for everyone. We recommend consulting with a professional HVAC technician before investing in a new whole-house heat pump system, but room-size or portable heat pump units aren’t as problematic.
Ambient air temperatures
While the heat pumps of the 80s and 90s worked best where there were few extreme seasonal highs and lows, that isn't the case today. Thanks to technological advancements in many heat pump components, modern units can handle both very cold winters and very hot summers.
Installation costs
Replacing an existing central HVAC system with a heat pump requires professional installation and maintenance. Some homeowners can connect a new heat pump to an existing HVAC system, or opt for window or portable heat pumps in selected zones. Some units don’t require any new ductwork but can require the installation of pipes or electronic controls.
Expert tip
With a heat pump running on electricity, there's no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or gas explosions.
BestReviews Home Improvement and DIY Expert
Types of residential heat pumps
When heat pump technology first became available to consumers, options were mostly limited to large outdoor units piggybacked to existing HVAC systems. When conditions became too hot or cold for maximum efficiency, the traditional HVAC would take over. Today, there are a number of different types of heat pumps available.
Whole-house units
Many homeowners still prefer to use the standard central heating and cooling method, only with dedicated heat pumps instead of more expensive air conditioning and heating units. These systems typically consist of a large outdoor heat processing unit, ductwork or pipes, interior zone vents, and electronic controls. These heat pumps can be expensive to install and maintain, but they offer efficient heating and cooling for several thousand square feet of living space.
Window or wall units
Similar to a room-size window air conditioner, these fairly inexpensive heat pumps often perform multiple tasks, including heating, air conditioning, and dehumidifying. While the total heating and cooling output might be more limited, the overall cost is enticing. Most window/wall heat pumps only require standard household voltage to operate, and installation is fairly straightforward.
Freestanding portable units
A more recent development is the freestanding portable heat pump. Many of these are also multitaskers, with options for AC, heat, and ventilation. The main advantage is the portability. A freestanding heat pump can be used in a garage or outbuilding without the need for installation or ductwork.
"Heat pumps often work as heat sinks during hot weather, drawing out excess heat from inside the house."
STAFF
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Air-to-air or ground-to-air?
Air-to-air system
Most of the consumer-level heat pumps sold today use an air-to-air system. This means that the heat pump pulls heat energy from the outside air and brings it indoors, or sends heated interior air outside.
Ground-to-air system
This heat pump takes advantage of geothermal energy for the heat supply. Long tubes filled with liquid coolant are submerged deep in the ground in a loop, where the natural heat warms the liquid. The heat pump transfers this heat to interior spaces. This process can be expensive to install and isn’t a universally viable option.
Heat pump features to consider
Shopping for a new heat pump is a lot like shopping for a new air conditioner or heating unit. It’s still a question of energy costs, efficiency, ease of maintenance and performance. Here are some features you should consider:
Heating and cooling power
The performance of a heat pump is generally measured in British thermal units (BTU), the same standard used for air conditioners and furnaces. The higher the BTUs, the more heating or cooling power the model has. This BTU rating shouldn’t override every other consideration, however. The total size of a whole-house unit, which is often expressed in tons, shouldn’t exceed the space to be heated and cooled. Consult a professional for estimates based on the total square footage of the home.
Electronic controls
Whole-house units tend to have one centralized thermostat that controls everything from heating or cooling modes to fan speed to temperature. They may also have independent controls on each zone vent. Window units often include remote controls that change fan speeds, temperature settings, and “sleep” timers.
Some whole house units have wireless or smart connections that enable individual zone vents to coordinate their output. One very useful feature is the ability to communicate with the heat pump system remotely through an app.
Filters
The air entering and leaving the heat pump system should be as free of contaminants as possible, so there are filters at vital points in the process. These filters need to be changed or cleaned periodically to keep the heat pump working efficiently and safely. A good-quality model should have an alarm or sensor that notifies you when the filters need attention.
Dehumidifiers
Some window and portable heat pumps are also dehumidifiers. Moisture in the air condenses around the heat pump’s compressor and drips into a small collection tank. This tank must be emptied periodically or attached to a drainage system. Some heat pump units don’t have a dehumidifying feature, but excess moisture can still collect around the compressor and create problems if the unit isn’t completely level or equipped with a drain.
Ease of use
Higher-end, whole-house heat pumps can be expensive to install, especially if additional ductwork is required. However, the end result is usually very easy to maintain. One centralized thermostat controls most of the settings, and one filter might need to be changed periodically. If performance at a traditional HVAC level is the goal, a whole-house heat pump is the best way to go.
Mid-range portable heat pumps might be the easiest to use straight out of the box because they require no installation and work off standard household current. Many are designed to perform several functions, including air conditioning, dehumidifying, ventilating, and pumping heated air. The major drawback is capacity. Most portable heat pumps only produce enough BTUs to heat or cool one or two average rooms.
Inexpensive window or wall-mounted models are challenging to install, but not impossible. These can also be great at multitasking, providing both refrigerated and transferred air to the room. Remote controls and sleep timers also improve the versatility of these units. However, the operational noise is a consideration, and many are only rated for 350 square feet or less.
Expert tip
Buyers should research the possible safety concerns of heat pumps - electrical failures, fire risks, water and soil pollution (in the event of a refrigerant leak)
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Heat pump prices
Almost all higher-end heat pump systems will require professional installation, so the retail price point is only part of the equation. You can expect to pay from less than $500 to $2,000 for a consumer-grade heat pump system.
Inexpensive
For $500 or less, you can find a basic window or wall-mounted unit rated for one or two rooms. A few models could have a remote control, filter alarms, or sleep timers. Occasionally a manufacturer will offer a “mini” version of an outdoor heat pump with a single interior vent at this price, but it might not be the best investment.
Mid-range
Between $500 and $1,500, you’ll find portable heat pumps. The window/wall units tend to be more multifunctional, with remote controls standard. The BTU ratings for both window and portable heat pumps rise significantly as you near $1,500. There could also be some versions of outdoor heat pumps available, but not the whole house models many homeowners seek.
Expensive
For more than $1,500, you’ll find deluxe window and portable units, as well as most of the affordable whole house heat pump systems, which means a heavy-duty outside heat pump rated at least 2.5 tons, along with the pipes, thermostats, and internal hardware needed for proper zone heating and cooling. Many manufacturers now offer “ductless” systems that replace expensive ductwork with more manageable pipes.
Tips
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Use the emergency heating setting as little as possible. When the emergency heat option is activated, electric heating coils provide additional heating during especially cold weather. However, this form of radiant heating is very inefficient and expensive to produce. It’s often cheaper to find an alternative heat source, such as an oil-based furnace, insulated blankets, or wood-burning fireplace.
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Allow a heat pump to adjust to a new temperature setting. The heating and cooling effects of a heat pump can take more time than a traditional HVAC unit. Once the thermostat has been set to a higher or lower room temperature, allow plenty of time for the heat pump to transfer enough heat to reach that setting.
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Consider setting the thermostat several degrees higher or lower than normal. Many homeowners with existing HVAC systems have become accustomed to certain temperature settings, such as 72°F in winter and 68°F in summer, but these might not be optimal settings for a heat pump. You’ll want to experiment to find a comfortable temperature range.
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Change or clean filters regularly. A heat pump’s efficiency can be reduced considerably if the filter fills with dust, pet hair, pollen, and other contaminants. Some heat pumps automatically remind you when it’s time to replace or clean the air filters. For others, it’s up to you to remember this important task.
- Bigger isn’t always better. When shopping for a whole house heat pump, a higher tonnage rating doesn’t always equal better performance. The goal is to buy just as much heating and cooling power as your house requires, no more and no less. A knowledgeable salesperson can provide the proper rating based on your home’s square footage.
FAQ
Q. I’m not sure if my rental home has a traditional central HVAC unit or a heat pump. How can I tell the difference without bothering my landlord?
A. Many modern whole house heat pump units do resemble their traditional air conditioning and heating cousins. One fast way to identify a heat pump is to look at the thermostat. If it has a setting for “emergency heat,” it’s a heat pump.
Expert tip
Have a professional technician service your heat pump at least every year.
BestReviews Home Improvement and DIY Expert
Q. My current heat pump doesn’t seem to provide enough heat for every room in my house. Can I order a larger model and attach it to my existing ductwork?
A. That wouldn’t be a good idea, even if you could retrofit the new unit to the ductwork. The ideal size of a heat pump system is primarily determined by the total square footage of the interior rooms. Installing a larger or smaller model might create other problems, such as excessive humidity. If performance is an issue, you might want to check your system for blockages or thermostat issues before investing in a larger unit.
Q. I like my bedroom to be ice cold in summer and toasty warm in winter. Will a window-mounted heat pump deliver those conditions?
A. A heat pump shouldn’t be confused with an air conditioner or a forced-air heater, but it should be able to provide a comfortable air temperature for most people in most climates. As a heat sink, a heat pump removes hot air from a room but doesn’t necessarily refrigerate it. If extremely cold air is an important factor, consider investing in an air conditioning unit with a heat pump inverter option.
