Heat Pumps

Posted in: Heat Pumps
Buying Options for Heat Pumps
By Martin Smith
Mar 30, 2008 - 2:34:25 AM

The metric unit for measuring the power of the heat pumps is “tons”, which refers to the ice amount required to cool an equal air amount. The sizes of the heat pumps vary from a ton and a half to five tons in normal households.

Although the size required for a particular house can be determined by a qualified professional only, there are ways in which you can determine the requirement in approximation.

As per Eric Eilar of Air Conditioning Exchange in Glendale, California, a tentative size of the heat pump can be determined by calculating around 400 square feet of living space per ton in the old houses. So accordingly for a 1600 square feet house, a 4-ton heating system is sufficient. The new houses which have more insulation and dual paned windows would require slightly smaller heating systems.

The prices of the heating systems may vary from $2000 to $7500, based on the size and the efficiency of the system to be installed. The prices can really shoot up when you plan to purchase a system with higher efficiency, adds Eilar.

The high efficiency heating systems have variable-capacity controls. Unlike smaller systems with less efficiency, which might be required to be operational all the time, the controls in the high end systems have a better coordination with the blower and the compressor and are adjustable with the heating or cooling load requirements of the house. And as these systems do not run all the time, they are more cost effective and silent in the longer run.



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