How Does a Ducted Heat Pump Work?
Learn how they work and if it's right for your home here.
A ducted heat pump is a great option for many homes and can be Energy Star efficient.
A ducted heat pump can increase a home's energy efficiency by 300 to 400%. Creating more energy than is required to function, a heat pump system is a productive solution for heating and cooling a house. Minimal components are necessary, and there are various ways to make this system work.
Ductwork and vents in older homes can be cleaned and repaired while costly furnaces and AC units are thrown out. A heat pump system can make a home more comfortable with proper installation and, if necessary, an air sealing service and insulation.
How about ductless heat pumps? We'll go over those too, compared to ducted, and how each one suits a house differently with specific needs.
What are the options if a home doesn't have ductwork? It can be designed and installed by professionals. Even though it could cost a bit upfront, the savings over time pays off in only a few years.
Are you curious about how a ducted heat pump could benefit your home? Then continue reading.
And if you decide you'd like to have one installed, no worries, Ardor Construction can help! We work with clients in the Hudson Valley and strive to make houses energy efficient.
Ducted Heat Pump: How Does It Work?
There are three kinds of heat pump systems, the most common being air-source; others include water-source and geothermal. A ducted heat pump is a type of heat pump system that pushes conditioned air through vents and ducts in your home.
A heat pump system doesn't create heat; it conditions air from outside, pulls it into the home, and circulates it. Ducts fit into specific spaces, usually in the ceiling, allowing distribution of hot and cool air.
The process reverses when a ducted heat pump needs to cool inside air. It takes hot air inside and pushes it through the unit outside. Vents can also be shut in specific rooms when they're not in use.
Parts of a Ducted Heat Pump System
There are specific parts that make up a ducted heat pump system, besides ducts and vents. Let's take a look at each and go over how they work.
Outside Unit With Coil and Fan
First, you'll need an outside unit with a coil and a fan. In order to heat the home, the coil works as an evaporator, and in cooling mode, it's a condenser. The fan blows outside air onto the coil and pushes the air into the air handler unit inside the home.
Air Handler Unit Inside the Home
The air handler unit has a coil and fan as well, and takes the air from the outdoor unit and either condenses or evaporates it to heat or cool the home. Now the air is ready to blast through the ducts and vents.
Essential Components that Make Heating and Cooling Possible
For a heat pump system to work, two essential parts allow it to heat and cool a home: a reversing valve and refrigerant. A reversing valve allows the outside and inside units to switch between heating and cooling.
How It Works: Heating Your Home
Cool liquid refrigerant takes heat energy outside and creates cold gas. After pressure is applied to the gas, it creates hot gas, which is transferred to the unit inside and cooled with air which condenses it making hot liquid. The cycle continues as the warm liquid enters the outside unit, which then turns it cold.
In this instance, the coil in the outside unit works as an evaporator. In contrast, the inside unit's coil is a condenser.
Ducted Heat Pump Benefits
A ducted heat pump system can be Energy Star efficient because it can deliver more energy than it consumes. It could potentially help you save nearly half of what you spend on energy bills, depending on the climate where you live.
Since it can do the work of a furnace or boiler, and air conditioner, it's a beneficial choice for those with a home that already has ductwork or vents. You can swap out old units that consume too much energy for the heat pump system and save money.
There are many other benefits of a ducted heat pump system. It circulates air and reduces condensation, helping to prevent mold growth and damage. It's also quieter than other heating and cooling methods.
And it's cheaper than installing a geothermal system that requires excavation and piping. On top of it all, your heating and cooling system is out of sight with hidden vents and ducts throughout your home.
Efficiency Rating Metrics for Heat Pumps
Evaluating efficiency rating metrics is crucial when choosing to have a heat pump installed. There are two rating metrics: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Heating Seasonal Performance Ratio (HSPF).
Manufacturers include a SEER rating that reflects how efficiently a heat pump can cool a house. A higher rating of or around 24 means the heat pump is highly efficient.
To measure a heat pump's efficiency, you will want to find a higher number for the HSPF. Like the SEER rating, a higher number means it can efficiently heat a house.
Ducted vs Ductless Heat Pump
Ducted and ductless heat pump systems are similar in operation. A ductless heat pump is flexible, allowing specific areas to be chosen for heating and cooling.
Another name for a ductless heat pump is a mini-split system. You choose how many independently controlled units you'd like to have installed inside. This choice often works for those who regularly use specific rooms or open spaces in a home and don't want to heat or cool an entire home.
Ductless heat pumps aren't intrusive to install; either high up on a wall, in a ceiling, or down on the floor. Small holes will need to be made for lines connecting the air handler unit to the outside unit. If multiple indoor units are needed, additionally, so will outdoor ones, which increases cost and installation time.
Another drawback to a ductless heat pump system is that the air handler unit can be obtrusive and stick out in a room if not placed in a ceiling. It's difficult for some to make indoor air handler units aesthetically pleasing or complimentary to their home décor.
Ducted Heat Pump Installation
Let's go over some possible scenarios that affect a heat pump installation timeline. Ideally, you'll already have ductwork and vents in your home.
If you don't have a ductwork system, you will need a professional to design and install one. Proper planning is necessary to guarantee the installation of an adequate heat pump system and optimal air distribution.
How Much Time Does Installation Take?
How long it takes to have a ducted heat pump installed depends on a few factors. If preparation work before installation is required, the project could last longer than several days.
For instance, if you need ducts cleaned or checked for leaks, if your home needs to be air sealed, or if you require insulation in attics, crawlspaces, or basements. These types of prep work can get your home in the shape it needs to be before installation.
Picking Locations for Indoor and Outdoor Units
If a professional audits your ducts and vents and says they're in shape for installation, it could take hours or a few days. Other factors that contribute to installation include the size of your home and the location chosen for the heat pump and outside unit. Installers will need to designate a spot outside for the compressor unit where snow levels won't impact its use during wintertime (if you're somewhere where it snows yearly).
Installing the Units and Establishing Connections
A hole is drilled into the exterior wall to pass electrical and refrigerant lines to the outside unit. A plastic conduit holds all the lines between the compressor outside and the air handler unit.
Inside, the air handler unit is positioned in an area that optimizes its performance and provides the best access to the ducts. An electrical wire runs from the inside unit to a mounted system control in an ideal location.
An electrician will connect the electrical system to the house and check the heat pump system to ensure it's working correctly. When it's all finished, the installer will walk you through how to work the system and maintain it.
What Is a Hybrid System?
A hybrid system uses an original heating system and a heat pump. This method can work for some people with systems that operate efficiently in different temperature ranges.
For example, one might switch on a furnace and turn off the heat pump if it's a specific temperature outside. It's a system that isn't necessary since many modern heat pumps operate in temperatures below 32 Fahrenheit.
Ducted Heat Pump Issues
Ducted heat pump issues can arise from various factors. For instance, say you have old ductwork that needs repairs before installation; this can be more costly and take time.
Some homes with ductwork need to be cleaned out and checked for blockages and leaks before the installation. If you don't have ductwork already, then installation will be more expensive and time-consuming.
A heat pump can last around 15 years, give or take, depending on the manufacturer. Ensure that you keep maintenance in mind when having a ducted heat pump system installed. Keeping up with regular maintenance on the heat pump and checking ducts for cleanliness or possible repairs can help make your system last.
For the heat pump, there are common issues that can occur. Here is a list of problems to watch out for:
The heat pump isn't heating the home or has low airflow
The cooling mode does not work
Liquid leaking from the heat pump from refrigerant or a clogged line
The air handler unit is not functioning
The heat pump runs all the time or not at all
A heat pump is unable to switch between heating and cooling
The outside unit becomes frozen during wintertime
Strange odors from mold growth or infestation
With these signs in mind, if you decide to get a ducted heat pump for your house, you can be on guard for any irregularities in the system. Regular maintenance and awareness can help a heat pump stay functional for years.
Ardor Construction: Specialists in Insulation and Air Sealing
Our mission is to help conserve energy in homes in Hudson Valley with our excellent insulation and air sealing services. Specializing in net zero and Passive House-certified homes, we can help retrofit older structures or perform insulation strategies.
Air leaks can contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere or create spaces in a house where condensation can occur, creating an environment for mold or rotting to take hold. By blocking holes in various spaces in a home, such as a crawlspace, attic, and basement, air sealing can also help keep indoor air healthy.
Within our wide range of services, you'll find that we install heat pump systems alongside our valuable air sealing services. These two services can make your home more comfortable while saving energy and money.
Contact Ardor Construction Today
As a simple way to heat and cool a house, a ducted heat pump system gives homeowners the most control over temperature and cost. Now that you know how it works and the benefits, you can decide if it's the right option.
Ardor Construction is here for you if you're in the Hudson Valley area or within a one-hour radius of Kingston. Our expertise can help those desiring a sustainable remodel, green renovation, and even eco-conscious new construction.
Are you ready to start planning a heat pump system project? Contact us today and let's make your home more comfortable!