How does the installation of an air-to-air heat pump work?
Thinking about having an air-to-air heat pump installed? Here’s what you need to know.
Installing an air-to-air heat pump (also known as air conditioner) is a specialist process. It should be carried out by a professional who can advise you on suitability and specification and install quality units with the minimum of disruption for maximum effectiveness.
How does the installation of an air-to-air heat pump work?
There are six main steps to air-to-air heat pump installation:
Step 1: Installation of the heat pump indoor unit(s). First, your contractor will install the wall-mounted, floor-standing or ceiling-concealed heat pump indoor units, which are designed to emit warm or cold air into your rooms.
Step 2: Setting up access points inside your home. Next, they will create an access point(s) to connect the indoor unit(s) to the outdoor unit by drilling a hole in the wall for the electrical wiring and drain piping.
Step 3: Installation of the heat pump outdoor unit. Then they will install the heat pump outdoor unit, usually mounting it on the side of your home. In colder places, the unit must be off the ground, above where snow could settle.
Step 4: Connection of electrical wiring. Afterwards, they will connect up the electrical wiring. Wires should be insulated as necessary.
Step 5: Connecting the piping. They will link up the refrigerant pipes that transport hot gas or cold liquid to the indoor units and the drain pipes that remove condensation. These should also be insulated as required.
Step 6: Quality testing phase. Finally, they will carry out thorough testing of the entire system to ensure it is working optimally before use.
What do you need to know before getting your air-to-air heat pump installed?
Decide whether you want to heat and cool just one room (you'll need a “pair system”) or many rooms (you'll need a “multi system”). Also, consider your hot water needs. With an air-to-air heat pump "multi-plus" system, you can also connect a small domestic hot water tank of 90l or 120l, ideal for houses up to 80m².
Choose a high-quality heat pump system that will be reliable and long-lasting, with a high energy efficiency rating.
Make sure your home is well-insulated and the area around the indoor and outdoor units is clear. They need sufficient airflow to ensure the system works as efficiently as possible.
Air-to-air heat pumps get 80% of the energy they need to work from the outside air. Just 20% comes from electricity. Even so, you will need a consistent electricity supply to run the system.
Have your air-to-air heat pump installed professionally
Use a professional contractor to install your air-to-air heat pump.
Before starting, your heat pump installer will inspect your home to check if it's suitable for an air-to-air heat pump. They should recommend what type of system and what size of heat pump you need. They will advise where to position the outdoor unit and discuss with you what kind of indoor units to install: wall-mounted, floor-standing or concealed in the ceiling.
Now your home can be as warm or cool as you want throughout the year, and you can relax in total comfort.
