FAQ

 There is no doubt that installing a new heating system is a big decision. The installation can be disruptive to a home environment and the installation costs can quickly add up if you are not prepared. But in the longer term, installing a heat pump system is well worth the investment and the work you put in, as your new heat pump will continue to serve you and your family for many years to come.

Discover Dalkin's range of heat pumps HERE.

Diagram Shows the cooling process

How does a heat pump work?

In an effort to simplify some complicated engineering, the process of how a heat pump works can be best explained as a circuit that draws the available heat from the ground or air surrounding your home and adjusts it to useful temperatures to create warm air or water for space and central heating, as well as hot water for both central heating and domestic hot water supply.

 A heat pump can be connected to other heating systems such as radiators, underfloor heating and hot water systems in a similar way to how your fossil fuel boiler currently is. What makes a heat pump different is how the heat is generated, not in how it is distributed, where instead of burning fuel to generate heat, a heat pump uses a process of evaporating and condensing refrigerant.

Heat pumps do in fact save you money on energy costs

 Are heat pumps worth the investment?

There is no doubt that installing a heat pump system will require a substantial investment in the beginning, which is usually more than installing a standard fossil fuel boiler. How much of an investment depends on a few factors such as, the type of heat pump, the size of your home and what device the heat pump is connecting to i.e. radiators.

Despite the investment, the return you will get from your heat pump in comfort, reliability and reduced energy bills over its lifetime will far outweigh its installation. Every kilowatt of electricity used in a heat pump generates between 3 – 4 kilowatts of renewable heat from the air – that’s a 300 – 400% efficiency improvement. Heat pumps will operate more efficiently when a home is well insulated, so it is important to consider adding proper insulation and draught-proofing to the home to reach the highest level of efficiency.

Are heat pumps environmentally friendly?

Heat pumps are powered mainly by renewable energy. Once they're installed your heat pump will supply 100% of your hot water requirement much more efficiently then a fossil fuel boiler. That makes heat pumps one of the most economical and eco-friendly heating solutions available today. In addition, if powered by renewable energy from the grid or by taking advantage of photovoltaic solar solution, heat pumps can provide all the heat you need, with no operation-related emissions.

What types of heat pumps are there?

There are a few different types of heat pumps and the one that is right for you will be largely influenced by your property type and by what your existing heating set-up looks like. For example, purchasing an air to water heat pump is most beneficial if it's used with an underfloor heating system or warm air heating because of the lower water temperatures needed.

For new builds, green homes and upgrades

For connecting to existing systems and older radiators

Air-to -water high-temperature heat pumps are ideal for connecting to an existing piping system and older radiators that run at a higher temperature   than modern heating systems. These heat pumps can provide heating, hot water and optional cooling (unless connected to radiators) and the use of water as an energy transfer media ensures optimal comfort is achieved.

For renovations and replacing old gas boilers

Hybrid heat pumps are ideal if you are renovating a property and need to replace a gas boiler. Powered by an optimal combination of air, electricity and gas depending on seasonal conditions and energy prices they are a versatile cash friendly option.

How often should I clean up my heat pump?

Filters should be cleaned by the homeowner every few months and a deep cleaning should be done professionally every two years.

How often should I clean my HRV?

Your HRV should be cleaned in the fall before it is turned on after the summer by the homeowner.

What type of warranty is offered?

The warranty offered is 12 years on parts, labour warranty can be purchased by the homeowner through Control Air Systems.  

How does a heat pump affect my heating and electricity bills?

Home with a solar panel array on the roof

What are the benefits of a heat pump when used with solar electricity?

The benefit of solar panels is that during the day when the sun is shining, your rooftop panels are harvesting solar energy and converting that energy to be used in your home as electricity. In many homes, power generated by the array that is not used in the home is credited back to you by your electric utility company and is used to offset your electric bill at the end of each month. Most homes will still have an electricity bill for power used overnight, during storms, or during periods of high use such as very hot periods of summer.

However, your heat pump is powered by electricity – and when you pair solar panels for electricity with heat pumps for heat (which use electricity for power), you are heating your home for an average of about 9 cents per kWh vs. 14.5 cents per kWh without solar, effectively reducing your cost to run your heat pump by almost 40% annually.

Is it true that heat pumps stop working when it gets very cold out?

Yes – but it would have to get very, very cold for a heat pump to stop working entirely. Different models of heat pumps have different ratings for how cold it can be before they stop being effective. 

Heat pumps are rated for “output.” In this example, when it is 30 degrees out, a heat pump will easily produce 100% of its output at the highest efficiency. However, as temperatures start dropping, output starts dropping as well – and when output starts dropping, the heat pump will “work harder” to keep your home at temperature. Much like having to put your foot on the gas to get your car up a steep hill, this is where efficiency rates of heat pumps start to drop – more energy is used to produce less output.

In older houses with less insulation, large amounts of heat loss, or drafts, a heat pump will also need to work harder to accommodate the rapid loss of heat due to these issues. However, newer homes often have outstanding insulation and are built to prevent heat loss – in these cases, the heat created by a heat pump is kept inside the home and helps the heat pump perform with greater efficiency.

Can I heat my home with heat pumps without any other heat source?

In certain warmer climates, heat pumps can be the sole source of winter heat. However, here in Canada, we recommend that most homes have either a primary or backup source of heat for very cold days or long periods of low temperatures during which heat pumps would have trouble recovering from heat loss. These other sources can be oil, propane, or electric.