When you are spending money on your home, you want to buy the accessories that you know will do a good job. You can’t afford to waste money on any piece of equipment that won’t do the job it is intended for. That is why when purchasing a home cooling and heating system, you need to know how to look for the best heat pump at the best price.
Since the older systems of decades ago, heat pumps have come a long way. Although long ago a heat pump would not have been an option, these days it can cater for just about any need. Unlike the heat pumps of years ago, heat pumps these days are relatively quiet, have excellent effects and work well and efficiently.
What to Look Out For
Thanks to the mandates of government, heat pumps have been regulated, and this means that when you compare heat pumps, you are comparing based on price and efficiency, rather than on what will actually work. When you compare heat pumps, you need to identify what your needs are, that is, what you intend to use the heat pump for, as well as understanding your own budgetary constraints. It is no good identifying a model you think you need and then not being able to afford it.
SEER and HSPF Ratings
Unfortunately, despite heat pumps becoming regulated, tricky salesmen are not, and you may be in a position where you need to rely on what you are told, unless you understand how heat pumps work, and what can be achieved with them. Every heat pump that is sold has to have two ratings, namely, the SEER and HSPF ratings. The SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating will tell you how well a heat pump works. When you compare heat pumps consider that the higher the SEER rating, the better the heat pump will work. The HSPF or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor measures how much energy the pump uses, and has a rating of between 14 and 18. This rating will indicate whether the unit is efficient and uses energy effectively, or wastes a lot of energy.
The trick to buying a heat pump is to look for the SEER and HSPF numbers. The higher they are, the better the heat pump is. Of course, you have to think about your budget too, since a higher rating on the pump means a bigger price tag. Of course, you also need to compare heat pumps based on how much use you will get from them. If you live in a relatively temperate climate where you won’t use the heat pump too often, you probably don’t need to spend a lot on it. If the conditions in which you live are severe however, you will need a heat pump that stands the test of time.
What Size are You Looking For?
Next, you need to compare heat pumps
according to their size. Not everyone wants to lug a monstrous cooling and heating unit home. In fact, you can get really small units for use in your home. Usually, heat pumps that measure between two and five tons are common for the home. Now, before you start to panic about how you will get the unit home, know that a ton is not a measure of weight in this case. It is a measure of cooling. So for every ton your machine is measured at, it pumps 12 000 BTU per hour. This is basically the measurement of the energy the unit needs to change the temperature of water.
It is not necessary to get into all the details of this, but if you are buying a unit in your home and the salesman is trying to sell you a 10 ton unit, know that you probably don’t need it. You can buy a much smaller unit and still get the results you need. Remember though that a small unit won’t do a very good job of heating and cooling your home. One that is too big, on the other hand, will come with its own problems, such as mould and excess moisture.
Generally, the only way to figure out what size heat pump you need for your home, is to call a professional. A professional will compare heat pumps and take your needs and budget into account, and then recommend the best heating and cooling solution for you. However, having a good knowledge of these heat pumps ensures that no matter what, you get the final say on what you really need for your home.
Buying a Heat Pump
Remember that in the long term, a heat pump needs to last you, so consider any renovations you will do in your home, as well as what the heat pump will be for. If you are buying it as a warming or cooling tool, remember to compare heat pumps to ensure you have one that works well and within your budget. If your needs run to heating water, consider the size of the body of water. A swimming pool will take up a lot more energy than a Jacuzzi will.
Before you make your purchase, identify your needs and your budget. If you have the time, go online and look for heat pumps. By comparing heat pumps on the internet, you will already get a pretty good idea of what you are looking for, and what you can reasonably afford. If you do all of this and you are still not sure, try going into a store and doing some comparisons. Ask a sales clerk for help and make detailed notes about the heat pumps you think are right for you and your family. Then go home and think about it. Don’t make a purchase until you are completely sure, or you are likely to have buyer’s remorse.
When fitting the unit, hire a professional so that you can be sure you get best from it. Learning how to compare heat pumps is not a difficult thing, and it can result in less trouble when you actually buy a unit and have it installed.
