5 Heat Pump Tips

Good morning.

My name is Felix and I am run Mr Cool Depot.

In my experience in the field, here are the most common discussions I’ve had selling hundreds of these units. While this may be common knowledge for some, this is geared towards people unfamiliar with this space.

1. Maintenance is key.

Even in DIY units. Sure you can install the unit yourself, but you still need a professional, or effective way to maintain your unit every 6-12 months. Think of it like a vehicle, the more you take care of it, the higher of a chance it will last beyond its warranty period and serve for many years to come. HVAC equipment can be a hefty investment, take care of it as such!

2. Research the OEM before making a purchase.

There are companies out there that will rebadge products and mark it up about 150-200%, with little or no extra value added. If a company is selling you a longer warranty and marking up the product 200%, you are better off saving that money and looking into Home Warranty Plans yourself like American Home Shield, Choice Home Warranty, or Zurich. A bit more administrative work up front, but less of a headache should your unit go out, and now you have to go through 2-3 different hands to get your problem solved. Most units share the same 4-5 large HVAC Manufacturers like Midea, Gree, LG, TCL, and AUX, and a few more.

More often than not, it’s always the initial install, maintenance, and proper sizing that will prevent major issues with these units. Researching the OEM will ensure you are getting a fair price on your unit without unnecessary mark up. Having an HVAC contractor buddy help you with this is more than helpful with this.

3. Consider a wall bracket if your area deals with heavy rain, snow and or sand.

A wall bracket will keep a unit off the ground, ensuring it doesn’t get snowed over, filled with water, or filled with sand. This will ensure consistent performance throughout the year and prevent issues caused by the elements. Keep in mind that sometimes these can create subharmonics, meaning you may hear some low notes/frequencies as the unit is creating vibration from your bracket to your wall. Placing rubber feet on the feet of the unit (usually included) will help mitigate the noise/vibration.

4. Get a Surge Protector for your unit

Many inverter mini splits are designed to have “brownout-resistance.” Which means they can tolerate wide voltage fluctuations in unstable grids. AUX, Gree, Midea, Cooper & Hunter, and Pioneer usually include this depending on which unit you select. However, it is not true surge protection. Though our technology has come a long way, it’s simply no match for powerful surges of electricity from our ever-evolving grid. Get a surge protector once, and save your unit from a fried board and even potential unit replacement.

5. Always consider the following when sizing your unit.

-Vaulted Ceilings

-Insulation

-Window efficiency, direction, and size. (Think facing west, east, etc.)

-Large windows, or doors that are frequently being opened and closed.

-Temperature & humidity range during winter and summer

-Condition of Insualtion

-Material of the walls in your house (drywall, brick, etc.)

I hope this was helpful to read, feel free to dm me with any questions you may have and I will do my best to make sure you have the answers you need. In this field, learning every day is an understatement. It’s a world full of depth, technicality, and with plenty of variability.

Enjoy your morning !

-Felix