If you’re in the market for a new heat pump, the size of the unit will definitely be a consideration. It’s important you get it right when selecting the size of your heat pump. Too big can be inefficient and expensive to run, and too small can be ineffective and, you guessed it, expensive to run. Of course, there is always the temptation to go as small as possible and pay less money for your initial investment – but that could cost you more in the long run because your heat pump will have to work harder to warm or cool a space beyond its capabilities. This will be reflected in higher power bills.
To help you make the best choice, you will probably come across a variety of size guides during your product research. A heat pump size guide contains calculations to point you in the right direction as you try and select the right unit for a specific room. But one guide does not take into account all of the other variables that need to be considered at this point. Every home is different, and using the same guide will not come close to answering all of the questions that arise during the purchasing process:
- Is the heat pump primarily to be used for heating or cooling?
- What are the standard climate conditions in your area? Cool or frosty cold in winter, warm or very hot in summer?
- Seasonally, what are the average high and low temperatures?
- Is your home older and poorly insulated, or not insulated at all?
- Is your home a modern design with adequate levels of insulation on the ceiling and underfloor?
- How many rooms need to be heated? One room, multiple rooms or do you have an open-plan space to heat (and cool)?
- How big are the rooms that you want to install heat pumps in?
- What is the ceiling height in those rooms?
- Do your windows have single or double-glazing?
- How many people reside in your home?
- Do any of the rooms receive direct sunlight?
- Does your home benefit from solar gain?
These questions, and the answers, go a lot further than any heat pump size guide ever will. That’s why you should never rely too much on a sizing guide. Instead, you should consult with specialist heat pump suppliers and installers as they will ask all the right questions, provide all the right answers, and help you choose the right size heat pump.
