Heat pumps are HVAC systems that heat a home or building by drawing in warm air from the surrounding area. In addition, heat pumps cool buildings through the reverse process—dispersing warm air to the area around a home or office. These pumps come in a wide variety of sizes. Disponette Service Co., based in Lexington, KY, offers a primer on understanding what size heat pump is the best fit for your property.

A Guide to Choosing the Right Size Heat Pump

Manual J

The Air Conditioning Contractor's Association of America (ACCA) recommends several manuals to help homeowners and businesses decide what size heat pump is best for their property. One of the most important of these is Manual J. Manual J uses a variety of specifications, including house size, structure, and the number of doors and windows to determine the heating and cooling capacity required for the property. Once you have the heating and cooling capacity, you can select the appropriate size heat pump. 

Rules of Thumb

A rough estimate among professional HVAC contractors is two tons per 1000 square feet to adequately heat and cool a property. For example, a 3000 square foot house would require a six-ton heat pump, while a 1000 square foot property only needs a two-ton pump. 

Hire an HVAC Contractor

While manuals and general guidelines can be useful, ultimately your best bet is to get advice from an HVAC professional. They'll take a large number of factors into account when recommending a specific size heat pump, and they'll do it much faster than someone with no background in heat pumps and their heating and cooling capacities.

If you want to install a perfectly sized heat pump in your home or office building, looking no further than Disponette Service Co. Their team of HVAC specialists install heat pumps in a variety of different properties and also specialize in water heater and boiler repair, pipe fittings, and even emergency plumbing services. Visit the HVAC company's website to learn more about their range of services, or call them directly at (859) 255-7157.