Heat Pumps are a hugely popular method of heating in New Zealand. But they are also an increasingly popular solution for cooling our homes over the summer months.
Whether you’re installing a Heat Pump for the first time or updating your current heating and cooling system, you’ll need to know what your options are for effective and efficient climate control.
In other words, what’s the best solution for your unique space? Let’s have a look at the factors you’ll need to think about before making your home comfort choice.
Choosing the right type and size.
The one that’s just right for you depends on how big or small your space is, the number of rooms you wish to condition, plus many other factors.
If you install a Heat Pump that’s too small, it may struggle to keep the room at the required temperature and will use more energy to do so. Too large, and the heat pump will need to cycle on and off to keep the temperature in the desired range.
The most popular and cost-effective solution is the ‘High-Wall Split’ Heat Pump. These systems are a one-room heating and cooling solution and have a single outdoor unit connected to one indoor unit.
The warm or cool air produced is only focused in the room that houses the indoor unit. On one hand, this means they can be used quite efficiently, only heating or cooling the room that you will be using. However, this also means that you may not be able to control the temperature in all of your rooms, leaving some parts of the house cooler in the winter and warmer in summer.
For whole-home comfort a ‘Ducted Heating and Cooling System’ may be the right solution. These systems supply warm or cool air into every room in the house through ducts, usually located in the roof space or beneath the house.
Ducted heating & cooling systems are generally a great option for people who prefer a discreet heating and cooling solution and would like to control the temperature of an entire house.
There are many other variables that need to be considered for an effective and efficient comfort solution for your unique space. Here are some to think about:
Location and Aspect. Some areas in New Zealand experience sub-zero temperatures which require larger Heat Pumps than in more temperate regions. Queenstown and Auckland have quite different requirements, so appropriate unit selection is important.
The sun is our most valuable (and free) source of heat, so it can really affect the temperature inside a room with heat transfer through walls and windows. Considering the influence of the sun, rooms that are facing east or west may need a different capacity Heat Pump compared to a north-facing room.
Windows. A room that has plenty of windows can be draughty as well as allowing heat and cold to enter or escape quickly. The size of your windows and insulating properties of the glass will have a greater effect on the size of the Heat Pump than the walls and ceilings of the room. Having larger windows in a room may mean a larger capacity system is required because the room is less insulated.
Insulation. A well-insulated room needs less heating to maintain a comfortable temperature. So the better the insulation in the walls and ceiling of the room, the lower the Heat Pump capacity required.
Budget. A heating and cooling solution for your home can be a big investment and price is something to be considered. A perfect home-comfort solution though is a great asset to any home, enhancing the way you live in your unique space.
With all these factors to consider, finding a qualified and accredited installer is imperative. A Heat Pump expert can tell you exactly what type and size solution will be right for you and your family, no matter the weather.
When the weather turns, turn to someone you can trust. Rinnai.
