What Are Heat Pumps?
Heat pumps are energy-efficient devices that use electricity to provide both heating and cooling to buildings. In cooling mode, heat pumps work similarly to a regular air conditioner, moving heat from inside a building to the outside. In heating mode during the colder months, a reversing valve allows the heat pump to reverse the flow of refrigerant, moving heat from the outside air into your building.
Heat pumps are unique due to their greater efficiency and environmental benefits compared to regular air conditioners or furnaces. Having been commercially used since the 1970s, heat pumps aren’t new to the HVAC industry- but due to more recent government incentives on heat pump installation, they’re getting quite the buzz!
While the benefits of using heat pumps are clear, only about 15% of commercial buildings currently utilize heat pump technology. Let’s do a deeper dive into all that heat pumps have to offer- and why some have resisted their use.
What Are the Benefits of Using Heat Pumps?
The Inflation Reduction Act passed by the U.S. Congress in 2022 provided hefty support for heat pump installation, largely due to their energy efficiency and potential for positive climate impact.
Energy Efficiency
What makes heat pumps so special is their efficiency. Over the last 20 years, continued advancements in Heat Pump technology have advanced certain models to be more than 100% efficient. This is because they simply move heat, rather than creating it, leading them to deliver more energy than they consume. Compared to traditional furnaces, boilers, and older air conditioners, heat pumps offer an energy-efficient solution for heating and cooling that commercial buildings can benefit from.
Environmental Benefits
Studies from the National Resources Defense Council have shown that heat pumps can reduce carbon emissions by 40%-70%. This reduction can help commercial buildings meet sustainability goals and potentially qualify for green building certifications. Plus, it always feels great to be doing something positive for the environment, right?
Rebate Incentives
Financial incentives for heat pump installation include tax credits for installation and retrofit projects/upgrades. Through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, $400 billion in federal support was allocated for clean energy projects addressing climate change, with $8.8 billion specifically earmarked for home energy rebates for energy efficiency and electrification projects.
Commercial building owners can take advantage of these incentives to significantly offset the initial investment costs of heat pump installation. Your utility bill will thank you in the long term!
So, Why Aren’t Heat Pumps Used in Commercial Buildings More Often?
While heat pumps can provide many advantages, their adoption in commercial buildings has been slower than expected. Historically, limitations on heat pump performance have been a challenge: older heat pump models struggled to maintain efficiency in colder climates, making winter use more difficult.
Many commercial buildings also present challenges with insulation and air sealing, which can reduce the overall efficiency of heat pump systems. For heat pumps to work effectively, your building must have proper insulation and weather sealing- reducing the “work” the heat pump needs to perform to maintain indoor comfort.
High upfront cost is another common concern. Often, building owners aren’t ready to foot the bill of heat pump installation in turn for cost savings later down the road.
Evolution of Heat Pump Technology: Cold Climate Heat Pumps
Heat pump technology has significantly evolved over the years, with modern heat pumps now performing consistently in colder temperatures as low as -15 °F. Specifically, innovations such as inverter-driven compressors allow the system to adjust its speed and output based on the building’s needs, maximizing both comfort and efficiency. Controlling the speed of the compressor allows control of the heat pump’s capacity.
Cold climate heat pumps often feature larger components to provide additional heating capacity, including advanced controls and variable-speed fans which ensure optimal performance under varying weather conditions. These advancements have significantly improved the reliability and comfort of heat pump systems, making them a viable solution for commercial buildings- even in regions with chilly winters.
What to Consider for Successful Heat Pump Installation
Successful heat pump installation will depend on several factors, such as:
Proper Load Calculation: A professional assessment of heating/cooling requirements of your specific building is essential.
Equipment Selection: Cold climate heat pumps should not exceed cooling load by more than 30%- if the heat pump is oversized for the cooling load, building moisture can become an issue.
Duct System Evaluation: It’s recommended that a contractor perform a though evaluation of your existing duct system to determine if any upgrades are necessary to accommodate heat pumps due to their unique demands.
Building Weatherization: Investing in building insulation and sealing before installation will improve your heat pump’s efficiency and effectiveness.
Customer Education: It’s important that contractors educate customers to understand the operational differences between heat pumps and other traditional heating and cooling technology to ensure they’ll be satisfied with their ability.
Get Help from an Expert HVAC Contractor
If you have any questions or concerns regarding heat pumps, or your building’s specific heating and cooling requirements, Cooper Oates is here to help you make the best decision for your facility. We’ll be your long-term partner in comfort and efficiency for your commercial building. Contact us today and tell us how we can be of assistance.