Ducted air-source heat pumps

PLANNING / SELECTION / HANDOVER

Before choosing the equipment

Ask for a duct assessment before treating an existing furnace network as ready for reuse. Discuss airflow, filter resistance, outdoor-unit location and winter drainage alongside heating capacity.

What belongs in the quote

Request the matched indoor and outdoor model numbers, design-temperature capacity and backup strategy. The handover should explain seasonal operation without relying on unexplained thermostat settings.

Think about the surrounding system

Ask for the proposed equipment combination, its capacity at your design outdoor temperature and a written backup-heat strategy. Compare electrical work, distribution changes, condensate handling and controls alongside the outdoor unit. A brand name alone does not describe the complete system.

Three questions for your contractor

1. Are the ducts suitable for the required airflow?
2. What capacity is available on the design winter day?
3. When does backup heat operate?

Prepare a useful first conversation

Bring the site location, building use, equipment model details and photographs of accessible equipment. Describe the problem or planned change and any access or shutdown constraints. Ask the contractor to identify design assumptions, excluded work, required approvals and who will commission the finished system.

This is a project-planning guide. Final equipment selection and installation details need a qualified contractor or designer familiar with the site.