Buyer’s guide: five tips for choosing a heat pump

1. Assess your heating and cooling needs

There are a few things you need to consider before heading to the store. Namely, just what are your heating and cooling needs? Various factors will come into play here: your home’s surface area and how well it’s insulated, your geographical location and the local climate. If you live in an area with harsh winters, you’ll need a unit that’s powerful enough to operate efficiently in very cold weather.

2. Distinguer les types de thermopompes

Air‑to‑air, air‑to‑water, geothermal: there are three kinds of heat pump, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. We’ve summarized them, below:

• Air-to-air heat pumps use the outdoor air as a source of thermal energy in heating mode, and as a sink in which to reject energy when in cooling mode. These are the most common models. However, while well suited to more temperate regions, they are less effective in places with extremely low temperatures.
• Air-to-water heat pumps work much like air-to-air models, with one major difference: the thermal energy captured is transferred to water, which then circulates through a centralized system. They are suitable for colder climates and require a hydronic (water-based) distribution system.
• Geothermal heat pumps use the relatively constant temperature underground as the thermal exchange medium in heating and cooling modes. Although geothermal systems are more expensive to install, the investment pays off: savings of more than 60% on heating costs compared to traditional systems, a lifespan of up to 20 years, ease of maintenance and versatility, to name but a few of their attributes.

4. Consider the added features

Some heat pumps have additional features like premium air filters, programmable controls and a quiet operation mode. Consider your preferences and the options that make the most sense for your lifestyle.