What Heat Pump Installation Involves
Sizing a heat pump uses the same load calculation approach as sizing central air conditioning, factoring in square footage, insulation, window exposure and local climate, but with the added consideration of how the home will perform in winter, not just summer. In colder climates, we also discuss whether a backup heat source makes sense alongside the heat pump for the coldest stretches of the year.
Installation includes setting the outdoor unit on a stable, well drained pad with adequate clearance for airflow, running and testing the line set, and configuring the indoor air handler or existing furnace to work with the new heat pump if it is being added to an existing duct system. We verify refrigerant charge with the manufacturer's specified method rather than a general rule of thumb, since heat pumps are more sensitive to incorrect charge than standard air conditioners.
Before finishing the job we test both heating and cooling modes, confirm the reversing valve switches cleanly between them, and check that the defrost control is functioning correctly. We also review thermostat settings with the homeowner, since heat pump thermostats often have settings, like auxiliary heat lockout temperatures, that do not apply to a standard furnace and AC setup.