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Not all cold climate DUCTLESS heat pumps are equal

Many Nova Scotians are taking advantage of the new Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program and adding ductless heat pump systems to their homes.  In order for a heat pump system to qualify for the program the unit must be COLD CLIMATE CERTIFIED.  Even though a heat pump system is COLD CLIMATE CERTIFIED that does not mean that it will be the most efficient at heating your home.  To learn more about the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program click here.

HSPF2

One of the most recognized efficiency ratings for heat pump systems is known as the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 2 or HSPF2.  The HSPF2 is a rating given to heat pump systems that represents the electrical consumption of a heat pump system while operating in the heating mode. The higher the HSPF2 rating the less electricity the system will consume while operating.  This is not be confused with system heating capacity or performance – (See Capacity Maintenance Below)

SEER2

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2 measures a heat pumps cooling efficiency. SEER2 is calculated by dividing the cooling output (in BTUs) by the electrical energy input (in watt-hours). The higher the SEER2 rating, the more efficient the cooling efficiency of a heat pump will be, making electrical consumption in the cooling mode lower.

Capacity maintenance

Probably the most important efficiency rating that a homeowner should consider when purchasing a new ductless heat pump system is the amount of heating output (BTU/HR) the system can provide at lower temperatures.  A common industry term known as CAPACITY MAINTENANCE is a calculation of how much heating a heat pump provides at -15C compared to the systems rated heating capacity at +8C. 

For example:

At +8C the Carrier Infinity 38MPRBQ18AA3 has a rated heating capacity of 20,000BTU/HR with a capacity maintenance of 120% at -15C.  This means that the system will provide 120% of the rated heating value at -15C. (20,000 X 1.20 = 24,000BTU)

 

DRAIN PAN HEATER

All ductless mini split heat pump systems will build up frost on the exterior unit while operating in the heating mode.  Once the unit has built up enough frost it will go through a defrost cycle.  A defrost cycle will shut down the exterior fan and operate the system in cooling mode for a pre-determined amount of time which will heat up the outdoor portion of the heat pump and melt the snow and ice that has accumulated off of the unit.  This will create condensation that will fall to the bottom of the heat pump.  Although much of this water will drain away from the system it can accumulate on the bottom of the heat pump and freeze.  This can cause reduced system performance, increased electrical consumption, noise, vibration, damage to the fan blades and refrigerant leaks (which in many cases are not covered by the manufacturers warranty).

A high quality ductless heat pump will have a factory installed drain pan heater; also know as a base pan heater.  A drain pan heater prevents condensate from freezing and improves the life and efficiency of the heat pump.   

Most cold climate heat pumps have a factory installed drain pan heater which means their HSPF2 ratings are calculated with the heater installed.

Daikin is one brand that is known to ship many of their products without a factory installed drain pan heater.  This allows them to show a higher HSPF2 rating on their products while offering the drain pan heater as an accessory.

IMPORTANT NOTE – When a drain pan heater is installed as an accessory after factory testing, it will reduce the HSPF2 ratings of the heat pump.  Be sure to ask your contractor if the drain pan heater was installed during factory testing or not.

 

heat pump sizing

Nova Scotia is considered a heating predominant climate.  This means that we live in a location where there are more days per year that require heating versus cooling.  Because we live in a heating predominant climate it is important for us to consider a heat pump based on the system heating performance capabilities above all other efficiency ratings.

Heat pumps are rated in what is called “TONS”.  The measurement for heat is the British thermal unit (BTU). One ton of heat pump can provide 12,000 BTUs per hour.

The rated BTU’s of a heat pump is the amount of heating it can provide at +8C but does not mean it can still provide this amount of heating as temperatures drop below -8C, -15C, -20C and so on. This is why it is so important for homeowners to understand the numbers and hire an experienced contractor that has the know how to properly size and provide a heat pump system for your homes specific needs. 

 We’ve taken some of the most popular brands sold in Nova Scotia and preformed an analysis on the most efficient, COLD CLIMATE ductless heat pump models in a 1.5TON (18,000BTU) capacity to show how wide of a variance there is between brands/models.

IN ORDER OF THE MOST TO LEAST EFFICIENT FOR HEATING YOUR HOME HERE ARE OUR RESULTS:

 

1) CARRIER 

(38MPRBQ18AA3)

Heating Rated Capacity at +8C – 20,000BTU/HR

Heating Capacity at -15C – 24,000BTU/HR

SEEER2 – 26.3

HSPF2 (Region IV) – 15.5

Capacity Maintenance @ -15C = 120%

Factory Installed Drain Pan Heater – YES

AHRI REFERENCE # 207826658

2) LENNOX 

(MLB018S4S-1P)

Heating Capacity at +8C – 18,000BTU/HR

Heating Capacity at -15C – 18,540BTU/HR

SEER2 – 21.5

HSPF2 (Region IV)  – 11.2

Capacity Maintenance @ -15C = 103%

Factory Installed Drain Pan Heater – YES

AHRI REFERENCE # 211034442

3) PANASONIC 

(CU-XE18WKUA)

Heating Capacity at +8C – 20,400BTU/HR

Heating Capacity at -15C – 20,400BTU/HR

SEER2 – 22

HSPF2 (Region IV)  – 10.9

Capacity Maintenance @ -15C = 100%

Factory Installed Drain Pan Heater – YES

AHRI REFERENCE # 205047854

4) GENERAL ELECTRIC

(ASH118URDSE)

 Heating Capacity at +8C – 20,000BTU/HR

Heating Capacity at -15C – 20,000BTU/HR

SEER2 – 23

HSPF2 (Region IV)  – 11

Capacity Maintenance @ -15C = 100%

Factory Installed Drain Pan Heater – YES

AHRI REFERENCE # 206842134

5) MITSUBISHI 

(MUZ-FH18NAH2) 

Heating Capacity at +8C – 20,300BTU/HR

Heating Capacity at -15C – 20,706BTU/HR

SEER2 – 21

HSPF2 (Region IV)  – 10.3

Capacity Maintenance @ -15C = 102%

Factory Installed Drain Pan Heater – YES

AHRI REFERENCE # 201754303

6) GREE

(GWH18YE-D3DNA)

Heating Capacity at +8C – 18,000BTU/HR

Heating Capacity at -15C – 19,980BTU/HR

SEER2 – 22

HSPF2 (Region IV)  – 10

Capacity Maintenance @ -15C = 111%

Factory Installed Drain Pan Heater – YES

AHRI REFERENCE # 9114294

7) FUJITSU 

(AOU18RLXFWH)

Heating Capacity at +8C – 21,600BTU/HR

Heating Capacity at -15C – 21,600BTU/HR

SEER2 – 20

HSPF2 (Region IV)  – 10

Capacity Maintenance @ -15C = 100%

Factory Installed Drain Pan Heater – YES

AHRI REFERENCE # 8779045

8) SAMSUNG

(AR18CSDACWKX) 

Heating Capacity at +8C – 20,00BTU/HR

Heating Capacity at -15C – 22,000BTU/HR

SEER2 – 21

HSPF2 (Region IV)  – 8.5

Capacity Maintenance @ -15C = 110%

Factory Installed Drain Pan Heater – YES

AHRI REFERENCE # 210436266

 

9) DAIKIN  

(RXM18WVJU)

Heating Capacity at +8C – 21,600BTU/HR

Heating Capacity at -15C – 21,600BTU/HR

SEER2  – 22.7

HSPF2 (Region IV)  – 10

Capacity Maintenance @ -15C = 100%

Factory Installed Drain Pan Heater – NO

NOTE –  IF a Drain Pan Heater is added the HSPF2 rating of the heat pump will be reduced

AHRI REFERENCE # 212494259

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