- Make your home as energy-efficient as possible with proper insulation and air-sealing – Doing so will allow for a smaller heat pump
- A properly sized heat pump provides optimum comfort without the need to change thermostat settings – Make sure your HVAC contractor completes a Manual-J load calculation before installing a heat pump
- Avoid using the emergency heat mode unless necessary – The unit becomes less efficient in the emergency mode and when the thermostat settings are frequently changed
- Simply set and forget the thermostat for maximum operating performance
- Assure ductwork is properly sealed and insulated
- Locate the outdoor equipment on the north side of the home, if possible, or in the shade
- Assure the return-air is sized to meet a 2 square-foot per ton of HVAC – A 3-ton system requires a total of 6 square feet of return grill for optimum performance
- Closing off rooms does not reduce HVAC operating costs – Make sure interior doors are open or have at least a 1-inch air gap between the floor and bottom of the door
- Replace return air filters regularly or as needed
- Remove plants and debris from the proximity of the outdoor equipment – Doing so improves necessary airflow
- Have both indoor and outdoor equipment serviced on a regular basis – Doing so maintains operational performance and efficiency
Department of Energy Federal Regional Standards effective January 1, 2015, specify new minimum standards for heating and cooling equipment. For Arkansas, package unit heat pumps must meet a 14 SEER minimum for A/C and 8.0 HSPF for H/P. Split systems must meet a 14 SEER minimum for A/C and8.2 HSPF for H/P. The higher the number, the more efficient the system. Always look for the ENERGY STAR® label.