There is nothing more appealing in winter than coming home and finding the house warm. And it is that when the cold lurks, all you have to do is turn on a heat pump and wait for the room in question to reach the desired temperature in just a few minutes.
For your house to be a true home, a heat pump may be exactly what you need. Keeping it always warm without your pocket suffering too much is much easier with these devices.
The world of heat pumps can be a bit complex at first, especially if you are not familiar with it. For this reason, we have created this guide to buy the best heat pump. Here are some of the main aspects that you should take into account.
Typology
If you live in a city where the winters are especially cold, you will surely be interested in acquiring a device that heats the rooms. The options are numerous and, among them, we find heat pumps. These are machines equipped with a specific technology based on the consumption of natural sources.
To understand how it works, you should know that they have a reversible mechanism, which means that they can heat a room and cool it.
The objective is the same in all these devices, although the system differs. First of all, there are the heat pumps that work with aerothermal energy, that is, in which the air is the source. At this point, there are two typologies: air-to-air heat pumps and air-to-water heat pumps. The outside air is extracted and converted into a warmer one in the first case. In the second case, the extracted heat is transformed into hot water and distributed throughout the home through ducts.
In the second instance, there are geothermal models, which means that the energy source is the earth. This type of pump has a system that absorbs heat from the ground and transmits it to the device itself.
Finally, there are the heat pumps that work by hydrothermal energy, where water is the source. They are the water-water models. Given all the typologies, it should note that the air-water system is the most widely used today.
Power
Depending on the size of the room you want to heat, you will need one power or another. Hence, we cannot forget this detail in this comparison of heat pumps.
To give you an idea of the machine you need, think that, for example, for a room measuring up to 10 m2, it is possible that a heat pump of about 2.5 kW could be more than enough. If you plan to heat a larger room to 30 m2, you will have to opt for machines with a higher power, 5 kW.
In this sense, you can also assess whether you require a split or multi-split system. These concepts refer to whether you need one indoor unit or several interconnected to heat the different parts of the home.
Consumption
Apart from being interested in how much a heat pump costs, you should also find out what your consumption will be. Not in vain; it doesn't make much sense to buy a device at a low price if every time the bill arrives, it's going to give you a headache.
The good news is that heat pumps generally consume much less than other heating formulas, such as electric radiators. We can say that for a thermal power of around 3 kW, electrical power of around 1 kW will need. Observing the consumption of traditional radiators, we will realize that this relationship is 1 to 1, that is, 1 kW of thermal power for 1 kW of electrical power.
The conclusion is none other than the savings on the bill if we opt for heat pumps. In other words, we can say that to heat a room; we will only need 25% of the energy that another type of heating system would require, the result being the same. In any case, always look at the energy efficiency certificate: the closer the rating is to A, the better.
Noise level and other extras
In addition to betting on a good and cheap heat pump, you should carefully examine the presence of characteristics such as noise level. Can you imagine that the comfort in your home goes through an unbearable noise? Normally this detail is not a problem in these devices, but much better if you make sure.
For example, it may also be interesting to include extras such as 3D airflow (for more efficient air emission), antibacterial system, and other features, such as allowing you to program it's on or off or control it from your mobile phone.
Frequently asked questions Heat Pump Hot Water
Q1: How to use a heat pump?
Heat pumps are suitable for heating and cooling an environment since they generally also have a cooling system. To do this, you will need to set the temperature first, depending on whether you want to air-condition the room in summer or winter. For optimum efficiency, in summer, select a "cold" temperature of around 25ºC, while in winter, don't forget to select the "heat" program and set it to around 21ºC. Generally, these devices are accompanied by remote control, so you only need to raise or lower the temperature depending on your needs.
Q2: How to save with a heat pump?
By themselves, heat pumps are devices designed to cause lower energy consumption in homes. It is, therefore, about highly efficient machines, although it is always convenient to know some tricks so that the savings are considerable. For example, it is much better not to switch the heat pump on and off continuously, as it is in these processes that the greatest energy consumption occurs. Ideally, if anything, lower the temperature a few degrees to remain constant.
Q3: How does a swimming pool heat pump work?
Heat pumps are the ideal solution to heat the water in swimming pools and, in this way, prolong the bathing season, even if the weather is no longer so hot. These devices use the outside air and transform it into hot water so that you can enjoy a warmer pool. They must be located outside the filtration system of the pool itself. However, you must ensure that the ambient temperature has not dropped below 5ºC or those stipulated by the manufacturer. If you do, the appliance may not work.
Q4: What is the heat pump in an air conditioner?
Today, most air conditioners incorporate a heat pump, so they are useful in any season of the year. This means that they allow air conditioning in any room if programmed properly. In summer, you should try to select the cold mode so that the expelled air is cold, while in winter, the idea is that it expels hot air capable of heating a room in a matter of minutes. The best thing about these machines is that they use the ambient air; it is their source of energy.
Q5: How do you know if the air conditioner has a heat pump?
Currently, most air conditioners have a heat pump, although not all. Hence, you should look at the product specifications to identify if it suits your requirements. If it includes a heat pump, it is obvious on the item's packaging and the list of features. Choosing an appliance that includes both functions (cooling and heating) is always advisable. Summer can become unbearable, but also winter. In both seasons, having an air conditioning unit will be appreciated.
Q6: What is an inverter heat pump?
Inverter heat pumps are currently considered the efficient heating system par excellence. What distinguishes these machines from others is that they work at a constant speed; they are not continuously starting and stopping. This translates into lower energy consumption and a more comfortable environment since the temperature will always be pleasant. Another strong point of this system is that it is quieter and more durable. Ultimately, an inverter heat pump translates into considerable savings on the electricity bill.
Q7: How to install a heat pump?
A heat pump installation should only be done by a professional, especially if you are not familiar with the subject. It is the only way to ensure that the device will work perfectly and without the risk of leaks and other inconveniences. These are computers that consist of two units: one external and one internal. The external unit must be placed, as its name suggests, outside but connected to the internal unit, which will be in charge of air conditioning our home. In the case of multiple systems, a single outdoor unit will be connected to several indoor units to air-condition several rooms.
Q8: What is the COP of a heat pump?
The COP is the coefficient of performance of a heat pump. In other words, it is the term that designates the efficiency of these machines. It establishes the relationship between the heat pump's power and the electrical power consumed. The higher the COP, the more efficient the machine will be. This means that, for example, a heat pump with a COP greater than five will have the full energy certification (A+++), while if it is less than 2, it will have the minimum (G). It is, then, a value that you should carefully examine when purchasing one of these gadgets.