Before purchasing electric heat pumps, study the latest news and trends of the industry. For energy efficiency, heat pumps have advantages over forced air furnaces. They reduce the amount of energy a home or business needs to power their HVAC system. If a system already uses electricity vs. gas or oil, then the unit uses no more energy than a conventional furnace. Industrial heat pumps can deliver heating or cooling reliability for specialized or large applications.

Heat pumps prices vary depending on the system you install. Geothermal heat pumps cost more to install but will earn their cost back in energy savings. Air source heat pumps cost less to install but have lower efficiency ratings, though they will still recoup their cost in electrical usage. Both types of heat pumps vary still more depending on the capacity of the heat pump and the size of system installation.

Before making a purchase, get the facts about heat pumps. Read heat pump reviews of the top ten heat pumps to compare heat pump manufacturers.

1. Consider joining industry related associations

2. Locate government studies regarding the efficiency of heat pumps

3. Find industry news about heat pumps

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Join industry related associations to keep informed about heat pumps

Organizations geared toward the heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) industry keep up on the latest heat pumps news and trends. Such organizations provide a networking function among those in the industry. They make a good source for information on new types of equipment, training available, certification of heat pump installers, regulations that may impact the industry and reputable suppliers.

I recommend: Being a member of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers allows access to state-of-the-art information about heating and ventilation technologies. The Society provides news, training opportunities, certification and events. The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association website discusses the advantages of using geothermal heat pump systems. The association provides conferences, training, publications and networking on heat pump related issues. The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute offers certification programs, standards program, research, industry statistics, and news related to heat pumps and other types of indoor HVAC systems. These organizations show where to buy a heat pump online.

Take advantage of government studies about heat pumps

As holders of the public trust, government agencies must always strive to make the best use of the taxpayer dollars they spend. As such, government agencies look for ways to reduce operating costs. Reducing their electrical bill by installation of heat pump systems saves taxpayer money as well as keeps government agencies in the forefront of trying new technologies.

I recommend: The Tennessee Valley Authority supplies information about the advantages of geothermal heat pumps. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy provides information on air source heat pumps, efficiency ratings, buyer tips and other information.

Find industry news regarding the latest developments in heat pumps

Utilize information other organizations and companies have discovered about heat pumps. Heat pumps have outpaced forced air furnaces as the environmentally friendly ventilation system of choice. Changes in design specify geothermal heat pumps as being even more superior to air source heat pumps.

I recommend: The Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium provides links to contractors and manufacturers of heat pumps, general information on how heat pumps work, events related to heat pump installation and training, case studies and related blogs and forums. Capital Electric Cooperative provides an interesting case study of how an air source heat pump system benefited a new home.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Your business can buy wholesale heat pumps to stock your warehouse. It may also be possible to buy equipment for rental purposes only. You may also consider buy-back programs for customers who want to trade up on newer models so that you also have used equipment available for your budget-conscious customers.

Heat pumps use electricity to power a refrigeration cycle that extracts heat from the air. During winter, electric heat pumps extract heat from outdoor air and bring it indoors. In the summer, they remove heat from your home. Because they do not actually generate heat, heat pumps can provide up to four times the amount of energy they consume.

All major heating and air conditioning manufacturers sell heat pumps. The top manufacturers of air conditioning and heating units manufacture the top ten heat pumps.There are also individual room heat pumps, industrial heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps. Heat pump prices are competitive. The more efficient the heat pump, the lower your electric bills can be.

Here are some ideas to consider before you purchase a heat pump:

1. Decide whether you want to buy heat pump online or purchase wholesale heat pumps.
2. Consider additional energy saving measures. Reduced demand for heating and cooling lowers the size requirement of your heat pump, which can save you money.
3. Ask installers for references, and check their work. Did they file the right permits? Did they meet the install schedule?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Finding the best heat pumps

Purchase a heat pump with the highest energy efficiency ratings you can afford.

I recommend: The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy provides good information about energy efficiency and how to find a good contractor. You can find the top ten heat pumps and read heat pump reviews from customers at Furnace Compare.

Energy efficiency will pay off

Consider additional energy saving installations at this time. Reduced demand for heating and cooling can lower the size requirement of your heat pump and save you money.

I recommend: Check with your local utlity company to see what energy conservation programs they have available. Air Conditioning Contractors of America's website lists contractors who meet the Federal Energy Star efficiency ratings. Conservation Services Group has energy saving programs for contractors and for clients across the United States.

Find the right installer

Make sure your potential installer has worked with heat pumps before. Get several bids and compare the size unit recommended. If the unit is too small or too large, it can increase operating costs.

I recommend: Use the internet to find contractor networks like Venture Street Professional Network or Home Blue contractor network that can help you locate contractors where you live. Search for "buy heat pump online," or "heat pump prices."

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking for heat pumps, whether you want to buy a heat pump online or purchase wholesale heat pumps, learn the basics about operation and climates where they will perform best.
• •  Consider investing in a programmable clock thermostat that will maintain a comfortable environment, but will save you money by controlling your heating and cooling. Lowering your temperature setting by only five degrees at night or when you are away from home can reduce heating or cooling usage by up to ten percent.

A heating and ventilation business may decide to offer installation of heat pumps as one of their services. Industry considers electric heat pumps energy efficient devices that can heat and cool a building or home. Heat pumps have no emissions or byproducts, making it a green appliance.

The best heat pumps work by moving heat from one location to another location, and prices vary depending on the type of equipment offered. The two main types of heat pumps are air source heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps. Air source heat pumps draw heat from the air. Air source heat pumps have open cycle and closed cycle models, which refers to the way in which their cooling fluids circulate. Geothermal heat pumps draw heat from the ground or sometimes a body of water.

Making the most of heat pumps relies upon selecting the correct equipment for the application. Once your business selects its merchandise, you can list your products and services so that your customers can buy a heat pump online.

1. Look at the types of air source heat pumps.

2. Study the advantages of geothermal heat pumps.

3. Explore the uses of industrial heat pumps.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider the types of air source heat pumps

Air source heat pumps make a better choice in mild climates. Since these types of heat pumps use air as a source, they become less efficient in extreme hot or cold environments. A closed cycle air source heat pump takes heat from warm, moist air to heat water, a common application for commercial kitchens, laundries and indoor pools.

I recommend: Carrier Corporation manufactures several lines of heat pumps with different energy and heating efficiency ratings and different levels of sound suppression. One system combines a gas furnace for high-efficiency Hybrid Heat. Trane makes several types of heat pumps for different levels of output and climate. Ingram's Water and Air Equipment offers wholesale heat pumps.

Consider high efficiency geothermal heat pumps for your customers

Geothermal heat pumps draw heat from the ground or groundwater, which stays at a more constant temperature all year round, leading to higher efficiency with no variation across seasons. Heat pumps that take heat from groundwater produce heat at a higher efficiency than those that draw heat from the soil. The customer will pay more for installation of this type of heat pump because they require wells or trenches for the pipes to carry heat exchange fluid.

I recommend: FHP Manufacturing produces a number of geothermal heat pumps. FHP carries both water source and geothermal heat pumps. These systems have several options for installation depending on the location of the building and the potential load of the system. Hydro Delta Corporation produces a number of geothermal heating pump units for both residential and commercial applications.

Look at industrial heat pumps for specific applications

Industrial heat pumps may consist of either air source or geothermal type heat pumps. This type of equipment may consist of multiple units, split systems and customized installation.

I recommend: American Geothermal manufactures heat pumps for working with concrete. Heat pumps eliminate the need for ice handling and storage typically used in the cooling of concrete pours among many other advantages. Colmac Coil Manufacturing makes both air source and water heat pumps for large commercial and industrial applications such as food processing plants, hotels and hospitals. Universal Marine Industries makes specialized heat pumps for zoos and aquariums. Rate Reviewer reviews the top ten heat pumps that it considers the best quality on the market.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look at some key features of the best heat pumps. A two-speed saves energy and wear and tear on the system, variable speed motor save energy and help eliminate hot and cold spots. Use a scroll compressor to compress the refrigerant for more efficient functioning and quieter operation.

A heat pump is a device that acts as an electric furnace in the wintertime and an air conditioner in the summertime. One unit is used for both heating and cooling purposes. In the winter, heat pumps work by withdrawing warm air from the outdoors and bringing it indoors. During the summer, heat pumps remove the hot air from your business or home. There are varieties of heat pump types, such as your standard air supply heat pump or "split system" pump. A geothermal heat pump is more expensive but also more energy efficient. Industrial heat pumps are used by large businesses such as hotels, spas and restaurants. The hybrid heat system combines a furnace and heat pump and is extremely economical.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Ductless heat pumps

Ductless or mini-split heat pumps are pumps that do not require duct work for central air conditioning. Mini-split heat pumps can also be used to provide heat but are mainly installed for cooling purposes only. This is a beneficial solution for rooms that do not have air ducts. Ductless heat pumps are more energy efficient, easier to install and a great solution for room additions in a home or business.

I recommend: ToolBase Services provides a detailed summary of ductless heat pumps. The installation and benefits of mini-split heat pumps are all covered.

Geothermal heat pumps

Geothermal heat pumps or water-source heat pumps are similar to standard heat pumps. They use heat from the earth to provide air conditioning, heating and hot water instead of using heat derived from outdoor air. In the winter, geothermal heat pumps move the heat from the earth into your house. During the summer months, they pull the heat from your home and send it into the ground.

I recommend: Geothermal heat pumps earn the Energy Star from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy. The EPA and DOE gives a description of how geothermal heat pumps work. The website also describes the benefits of a geothermal heat pump system. WaterFurnace distributes geothermal heat pumps and provides a knowledge center in connection with water-source heat pumps.

Air-source heat pumps

Electric air-source heat pumps use the outdoor air as the source of heat to cool and warm your home or office. An air-source heat pump is also called a 'split system' due to the fact that the condensing unit is placed outside the house, and the evaporator coil remains inside. Air-source systems also make a packaged unit, which combines the condensing unit and evaporator coil into one unit outside of the home.

I recommend: The U.S. Department of Energy presents a lengthy description of air-source heat pumps. The DOE also describes how air-source heat pumps work, performance issues, technological advances and how to select the right air-source heat pump for your home or business. Danfoss Heat Pumps has a very informative website that provides an orientation to air-source heat pumps with advice regarding installation.

Industrial Heat Pumps

Industrial heat pumps deliver heat at a higher temperature for use in industrial process heating, preheating, and space heating. They use waste process heat as the source and improve the energy efficiency of industrial applications.

I recommend: Western Area Power Administration spotlights industrial heat pumps and how they work. You will find information regarding closed-cycle industrial heat pumps, temperature issues and avoidance of corrosion. See Colmac Coil Manufacturing for more information.

HVAC

HVAC is an abbreviation that symbolizes the words heating, ventilation and air conditioning. HVAC is a commonly used acronym in the heating and cooling industry.

I recommend: The California Energy Commission has an all-inclusive description of what HVAC means as well as information concerning HVAC systems and how they operate.

Hybrid heat

A hybrid heat system is an alternate heating and cooling system that conjoins a heat pump with a furnace instead of an air conditioner. Hybrid heating systems switch between the furnace and the heat pump as the temperature changes, giving the owner a very economical and fuel-efficient heating unit. A hybrid heat system can also provide cooling in the warmer months.

I recommend: Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems provides a guide on hybrid heating systems, heating and cooling and indoor air quality.