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Thread ID: 98155	2009-03-13 23:25:00	Heatpumps	Strommer (42)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
756125	2009-03-13 23:25:00	We have discussed this topic previously however with winter approaching I thought I would share a few things that I have found recently, and hope that it may help someone contemplating getting a heat pump. 1. Try to get a 'refrigeration specialist' to install your heatpump. These tradesmen are far more knowledgeable than other heat pump installers who have not had years of experience in the field of compression - heat exchange. I have had several quotes from installers before a friend recommended a guy who is supposed to be the best in our region and when he arrived at our house I was surprised at his technical expertise; he has been doing heat pump (and related refrigerant) installations for over 20 years. Our friends have told us stories of shoddy workmanship and poor service when their heat pumps have had problems - from ordinary installers. The total cost will probably not be any more from a specialist. Generally speaking, I do not like dealing with trades people who are not knowledgeable, who are not experts in their field, or who are poor communicators. Shop around and get more than one quote, ask your friends for recommended heat pump tradesmen, and don't base the final decision on only the lowest price. 2. Larger / more powerful heat pumps may only cost a bit more but they are cheaper to operate. What I mean, e.g., is the difference between a 5 to 6 kw unit compared to an 8 - 9 kw; the cost may only be $200 - $300 more but the efficiency is better with the larger units. Obviously this will depend on the size and insulation of the rooms you are heating; it may be that larger units will not be a wise choice in some situations. 3. Some stores may have heat pumps on sale but be careful. For instance, Harvey Norman's are doing specials now but I checked around and found comments saying that their post installation service was poor - however this may well depend on the store / region / installer. The point here, imho, is if you get a tradesman who specializes in heat pumps / refrigeration, and he sells them as well, and he / his business has a long standing reputation in your community, there is a better chance of getting the best installation and service. 4. Wall units should not be installed too high. I think 2.2 m is the limit. They can be installed higher but there is more of a chance of poor heat flow to the floor area, and having drafts. However if you live in a hot climate and need mostly cooling, a wall unit mounted high would be good. 5. The price of wall and floor units is about the same, at least for larger heat pumps. 6. An 8 kw unit (for example) will not continually use 8 kw of electricity. Once the room reaches the set temperature, the electricity consumption is only about 1 kw. There is of course the energy saving due to inverter technology (of capturing the latent heat from outside and bringing in inside your house). See Wikipedia or another source to get a technical explanation of how heat pumps can save heating (or cooling) costs. 8. There is no significant operating cost advantage to installing the outside unit in a sunny warmer part of your section. Nor is there usually an operating cost advantage to installing the outside unit on the roof. However if the outside unit is in a confined area, such as between a wall and fence, there may not be enough air circulation and the heat pump's efficiency will be reduced. 9. The cost of firewood brought us to getting a heat pump, as well as the CONVENIENCE of a heat pump. Wood burners are also dirty from the soot smoke and wood itself. I have yet to find anyone who regrets installing a heat pump. 10. Energy Star Ratings are set by the manufacturers, not by a government or other watchdog agency, so the accuratacy of the rating may be questionable. 11. The total cost of a heat pump will normally be around $3,000 to $4,000, or more if the outside unit is long distance from the inside unit, or if you opt for ducted air flow (to different rooms).	Strommer (42)
756126	2009-03-13 23:36:00	I am pretty happy with my woodburner. It heats the hot water cylinder and drys the clothes, our power bill actually drops in the winter. Firewood around here is free from truss and timber frames places, old pallets if you take the wood during summer.	prefect (6291)
756127	2009-03-13 23:51:00	... 3. Some stores may have heat pumps on sale but be careful. For instance, Harvey Norman's are doing specials now but I checked around and found comments saying that their post installation service was poor - however this may well depend on the store / region / installer. The point here, imho, is if you get a tradesman who specializes in heat pumps / refrigeration, and he sells them as well, and he / his business has a long standing reputation in your community, there is a better chance of getting the best installation and service.I would tend to agree with this (regards the installer). Unsure if HN gives you the option to install/arrange for own installer within their deals. Might pay to check that out	Myth (110)
756128	2009-03-14 00:37:00	The cost of firewood brought us to getting a heat pump............... Wood burners are also dirty from the soot smoke and wood itself. I have yet to find anyone who regrets installing a heat pump. If we were buying firewood, it would be $45 a metre. But we aren't so its $0. Ours is not dirty. You are supposed to burn DRY wood, not wet., And don't turn it right down - let it have a bit of air - we don't have smoke out our chimney because we follow those rules. I know someone who regreted it. Her husband wanted it. When ever he goes away she lights the fire instead. She doesn't like the increased power bill, and no she doesn't have it on all the time either. I'll admit it is supposed to be cheaper than standard electric heating but you'll have to pry me away kicking and screaming from my woodburner........	pctek (84)
756129	2009-03-14 00:58:00	Steve. I agree 100% with all your comments. Daikin heat pumps are about the best 'home improvement' we could have made. After two years we have absolutely no regrets. We too, bought from a specialist who has been in the air conditioning business for many years.	Richard (739)
756130	2009-03-14 01:20:00	Steve I know very little about them but have considered getting one. From what I understand they heat and cool. So is the cooling as good as Air Conditioning? Is it piped to all rooms in the House? Can there be separate controls for various rooms? We currently have Gas heating in the Lounge but no other heating for the rest of the house apart from portable electric heaters.	Bantu (52)
756131	2009-03-14 01:25:00	Thanks for posting that, Steve. I'm not in the market for a heat pump at present, but it's handy to have those tips set out for future reference. And the days are drawing in apace...	Laura (43)
756132	2009-03-14 01:33:00	One addition to Steve's comments. When you get it installed, try to ensure that the thing doesn't blow on to you. That is OK in the summer if you are using it for cooling, but in the winter it creates a draught which is quite uncomfortable. Unfortunately whilst our heat pump is great if we switch it on to heat the room before we are using it (the room), it blows on us when we are sitting watching TV in our granny chairs. It is not pleasant. It is amazing how the heating air actually feels cold when it blows across you.	John H (8)
756133	2009-03-14 01:45:00	From what I understand they heat and cool. So is the cooling as good as Air Conditioning? Is it piped to all rooms in the House? Can there be separate controls for various rooms? Yes the cooling is like air conditioning - it is the same in fact. You can get it ducted to all rooms, at an extra cost. Separate controls only if they are separate heat pumps so that would be an expensive option. One addition to Steve's comments. When you get it installed, try to ensure that the thing doesn't blow on to you. Yes this can be a problem. With our high ceilings the 'expert' who came to our house recommended a floor unit instead of a wall unit, so there would be no annoying drafts / fan air. WOOD BURNER LOVERS - if I had a free or low cost source of wood, and had a burner that was not smoky or dirty, I may not be interested in getting a heat pump, but our situation is different and I am also tired of hauling in wood from the garage and waiting a long time for the house to get warm.	Strommer (42)
756134	2009-03-14 02:05:00	If we were buying firewood, it would be $45 a metre. But we aren't so its $0. Ours is not dirty. You are supposed to burn DRY wood, not wet., And don't turn it right down - let it have a bit of air - we don't have smoke out our chimney because we follow those rules... It amazes me how our Govt has brought in all these rules and regulations in regards to the wood burner and yet the most important thing is DRY wood and the other thing is that too many people turn the fire down as soon as it is going where as it should be left running full blast for about a quarter of an hour to heat the flue etc. properly.	mikebartnz (21)
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