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Maximize efficiency and ensure years of reliable performance and comfort.
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Heat pump installation tips
- Select an experienced, certified heat pump contractor, such as a PGE-approved contractor. An experienced contractor helps ensure that your heat pump is sized properly and operating efficiently. An oversized heat pump cycles on and off more, resulting in higher energy use, poor humidity control in the summer and a shorter operating life.
- Perform diagnostic tests as part of installation. These performance tests and adjustments help ensure that your heat pump is operating with proper air flow and refrigerant fluid level. This optimizes efficiency, minimizes energy use and extends the life of equipment.
- Ask your contractor to seal your ducts. Heat lost through leaky ductwork substantially increases energy use.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Look for one that automatically adjusts temperatures according to your schedule and keeps temperatures within a five- to 10-degree range from day to night.
- Install a programmable thermostat designed specifically to optimize heat pump operation. A “smart” or “intelligent recovery” thermostat (ideally with an outdoor thermostat or sensor) minimizes the use of back-up heat and gives you convenient program options. It will automatically adjust temperatures according to your schedule and keep temperatures within an appropriate setback range from day to night for your system. For more information, download PGE’s How to choose a thermostat brochure (PDF).
- Have your contractor install controls to lockout backup resistance heat when the outdoor temperature is above 30 to 40 degrees. These controls allow your heat pump to operate more efficiently. The lockout sometimes is done with an outdoor thermostat. Alternatively, some indoor thermostats can be connected to an outdoor sensor. Your contractor can select the proper temperature to lockout the resistance heat on your heat pump.
- Ask your contractor to show you how to operate your heat pump and thermostat.
- Follow the manufacturer’s service and maintenance guidelines. Unless you detect problems, a checkup once every five years is usually adequate.
Operation tips
- Review your owner’s manuals for specifics about your heat pump and thermostat.
- Don’t make frequent thermostat changes. This can increase heating costs by causing the back-up heat to come on, and it may damage the compressor.
- Heat pump systems vary, but in general, lower the temperature no more than a few degrees at night or when you’re away from home. Lowering the thermostat more will likely cause the back-up electric heat to engage. This is less efficient and uses more energy than allowing the heat pump to bring your home up to temperature. If you frequently set back your thermostat, have your contractor install an intelligent recovery thermostat — ideally with an outdoor thermostat or sensor that locks out back-up heat when the outside temperature is above 30 to 40 degrees. Setting back the thermostat with these devices installed will save energy. However, with a deep setback, your heat pump may turn on earlier to bring your home up to temperature by the time you need it.
- When you’re gone for more than a day in the winter, set the thermostat to the lowest temperature that still allows freeze protection. The rest of the year, turn the system off at the thermostat and set the fan at “AUTO” (automatic).
- Don’t close supply registers or diffusers in any room. It can damage the compressor and may increase your energy use.
- Keep furniture from blocking air returns and air supplies.
- Remove grates and vacuum heat registers regularly to remove dust and debris.
- Check air filters monthly. Clean or replace them when dirty.
- Inspect the indoor cooling coil in the fan to make sure condensation is draining properly.
- Keep the outdoor unit free of leaves, dirt and foliage.
- Don’t run the heat pump if the outdoor coil is covered with ice from freezing rain or an ice storm. Switch the thermostat to emergency or supplemental heat until the ice is cleared. If you clear the ice yourself, be careful not to damage the coil.
- Don’t be alarmed if your heat pump occasionally makes unusual noises or releases a cloud steam. This is the defrost cycle and is part of normal operation. The defrost cycle heats the outdoor coil during the heating mode to prevent ice buildup.
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