Heat Pumps

An Inverter is a piece of technology that makes newer heat pumps more efficient. Older style heat pumps operate a fixed speed compressor motor. These motors are either on or off, so they stop and start repetitively to keep the temperature at the level you set it – similar to a fan heater set on a thermostat.

Newer, inverter style heat pumps use a variable-speed compressor motor that slows down and speeds up as required to maintain a more consistent temperature. This makes them more energy efficient. In fact, Panasonic Inverter Heat Pumps are extremely efficient, meeting or exceeding the most stringent Energy Efficiency Ratings. Find out more about Panasonic Eco Intelligence.

Heat pumps are Air Conditioners that literally “pump heat”. That means they can pump heat from outside into your home to warm you in winter; and vice-versa – pumping heat out of your home in summer.

As soon as an inverter air conditioner is switched on, it provides the exact amount of power needed to rapidly cool or heat of the room. This enables it to reach the set temperature in about a quarter the time required by non-inverter models. So you’re comfortable soon after you arrive home on a hot summer day, or after entering a room on a cold winter morning. Find out more about how heat pumps work.

Every home is different. The outside air temperature, the size of the room you want to heat, the number of windows, amount of insulation… it all affects the power requirements of your new heat pump. It’s important to choose one that suits the size of the space you want to heat; if the heat pump is too small or too large, it will use more energy, cost more to meet your heating requirements and may not perform to the level required. Use our heat pump calculator (just click the “Get Recommendations” button) to get an idea of which Panasonic Heat Pump might suit your needs, or arrange for a free consultation to get a more accurate picture from a professional.

{slider Will my heat pump still work if it’s below freezing outside?}

Even when it gets down below zero degrees, there is still “warmth” in the air that can be utilised. In New Zealand a good quality heat pump should perform effectively when the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius, provided it is sized and installed correctly. In colder climates the outside unit may frost over during the coldest part of the year, this is normal operation and your Panasonic Heat Pump will automatically stop and carry out a de-frost cycle before returning to its normal operation. All Panasonic Heat Pumps operate below zero degrees, with some units operating right down to -15ºC. Contact a Panasonic Heat Pump specialist for more information on the right model for your application.

A single-split heat pump consists of a single internal “fan” unit matched to a single external “condenser” unit, designed to heat the room it is sized for and installed into. Although some heat may flow into other areas, It is unlikely to effectively heat your whole house. If you want to heat other areas of the house you may be better to consider a multi-split system, where a single outdoor unit powers up to four indoor units. This kind of setup can save space and power and cuts down on potential noise, but requires careful selection and installation. A Panasonic Heat Pump specialist can advise you on this.

A quality heat pump can provide many times the amount of heat for the same price as running a conventional heater. Panasonic Heat Pumps are highly efficient in the first place, and include a whole range of features designed to maximise that efficiency. Working with a Panasonic Heat Pump specialist to choose the right sized unit to start with, then operating it smartly should use the minimum possible amount of electricity to effectively heat or cool your home. And tests have showed that choosing an ENERGY STAR certified Panasonic Heat Pump could save you $150 on your annual power bill over a less efficient model. However, any appliance will use more electricity if used incorrectly. Here are some tips on smart heat pump usage:

Learn to use the timer. Set the timer so the heat pump comes on an hour or so before you get home or get up in the morning.

Some installers suggest leaving the heat pump on 24/7, but this is only ideal in certain circumstances: When it is extremely cold outside, it can sometimes take more energy to warm the house up when you want it, than to keep your home constantly warm when there’s nobody there. Talk to your Panasonic Heat Pump specialist about the right usage pattern for your needs.

Don’t set the temperature higher than you need it. 18-22ºC is recommended as a comfortable working temperature, and if required, 16ºC overnight.

Shut doors, windows and curtains to keep the heat in.

Keep the interior and exterior units well maintained as per the manufacturer’s instructions, including ensuring the filters are cleaned regularly.

Using a heat pump as an air-conditioner in summer instead of opening the windows and doors will increase your power bill, but using an Energy Star rated Panasonic Heat Pump/Air Conditioner will help minimise this cost. You could also create a cross-draft by leaving windows open on opposite sides of the house if it is safe to do so. You can also close blinds or curtains to keep the sun out in the heat of the day. If you use the heat pump to cool the space, close windows and doors – otherwise the heat pump will have to work harder to keep the temperature down and end up costing you more to run.

How do I best use my heat pump? Can you give me an example?

Your personal preferences, your home, and your lifestyle all affect the way you’ll use a heat pump. There is no ‘One’ solution that fits all, but here are four usage examples that might help:

A young working couple with no kids tend to be home only in the evenings. As nobody is home during the day, the perfect solution for them is to use the timer on their heat pump – turning it on an hour before they wake in the morning, and again an hour before they get home from work.

For a young family where one of the parents and the children tend to be at home during the day, a great way to be comfortable and manage the power bill is to operate the heat pump throughout the day, but reduce the temperature (e.g. to 16ºC) when leaving the house during the day. This means the heat pump doesn’t have to work so hard to bring the temperature back up to 20ºC when they return. Equally, reducing the unit’s target temperature overnight keeps the winter chill at bay – making it comfortable for tending to children, without heating the entire house all night.

A retired couple who have moved into a smaller home now the kids have left the nest tend to spend much of their day at home. Maintaining a comfortable temperature at all times is desirable – so the stable temperature control of operating their heat pump all day is desirable, but they can turn the unit off at night (manually, or using a timer) to save power.

For the rural lifestyle, it often pays to have a few heating options up your sleeve. Here the simple convenience of pushing a button to heat your home beats some of the more labour intensive options – especially if you’re only home for a cuppa before heading out again. If your heat pump isn’t your primary heat source, you can choose to turn it on and off as required.

Panasonic Heat Pumps feature extra-quiet operation for your comfort – and the comfort of your neighbours, too. Certain models also feature Quiet Mode, which further reduces indoor unit noise to as quiet as 21dB(A) for a comfortable night’s sleep (the sound of leaves gently rustling in a tree is about 20dB(A)) – and reduces outdoor unit noise to as low as 41dB(A) (almost as quiet as a library, at 40dB(A)).

Installing a heat pump is a much more complex process than, say, plugging in a fan heater or oil column heater. It is important that a Panasonic Heat Pump is installed by a qualified installer, who has the expertise and knowledge to:

Select the right unit for your specific heating and cooling situation

Advise on the right locations – inside and outside – for the unit to be installed

Show you through all the features and functions of your new Panasonic Heat Pump, and

Provide a warranty for the unit.

It is not recommended to install your new Panasonic Heat Pump yourself; in fact, non-authorised installation may void the warranty. To help make the process as simple as possible, we can arrange a no obligation heatpump consultation with one of our approved installers.

EECA (New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) promotes the blue ENERGY STAR® mark, which is applied to certain Heat Pumps to tell you which are the most energy efficient models in each range. By choosing an ENERGY STAR® qualified unit, you will be assured of the very best efficiency and maximum savings on your heating costs. Choosing an ENERGY STAR® heat pump can save you $150 on your power bill over a less efficient model. To view a list of heat pumps that have earned the ENERGY STAR® mark, visit www.energystar.govt.nz/energy-star-products/heating-and-cooling.

Answers have been collated from a variety of sources, including Panasonic’s own heat pump knowledgebase; EECA (New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority; www.eeca.govt.nz); and Energy Star (www.energystar.govt.nz). Whilst we have been careful in compiling these answers, nothing beats a free, no-obligation consultation with a Panasonic Heat Pump specialist

– See more at: http://www.panasonic.co.nz/help-and-support/your-guide-to-heat-pumps/heat-pump-frequently-asked-questions/#sthash.zfTiz9fr.dpuf