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Stay Warm This Winter With a Fujitsu Heat Pump From Oxygen Air

Friday 19 May 2017, 3:13PM

By James Simmons

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AUCKLAND

If you want to avoid the cold this winter you should explore the option of installing an energy efficient heat pump. Heat pumps remain the most efficent way of using electricity to heat your home. It is important to know that not all heat pumps are equal and you want to ensure you choose an ENERGY STAR® qualified heat pump which are super energy efficent and have cheaper running costs. 

Oxygen Air are the market leaders for Fujitsu heat pumps in Auckland and have the perfect heat pump solution to fit your specific requirements. 

A heat pump that is correctly sized and installed can heat your home for less money. But to get the most out of a heat pump, it is really important to choose the right one and use it properly. Heres how:

Better efficiency

While heat pumps are the most efficient way of using electricity to heat your home, some are more efficient than others. The ENERGY STAR mark is only awarded to the most efficient heat pumps on the market (for both heating and cooling modes). Choosing an ENERGY STAR heat pump could save you $150 a year on running costs, compared to a non-qualified model or alternative heating/cooling system.

Better performance when the outside temperature drops

Some heat pumps struggle to keep up between 5 and 0°C, when they are more prone to icing up. Thats why ENERGY STAR now includes a requirement thats designed to ensure a correctly sized ENERGY STAR heat pump, will perform efficiently in this temperature range. So if you live in a cooler climate, ask your supplier if the heat pump youre looking at meets the new ENERGY STAR specification, or check the latest ENERGY STAR qualified models.

Checklist for choosing a heat pump

As well as choosing an efficient model, heres some other important things to think about:

 Insulate first. Make sure your ceiling and underfloor insulation is sorted first youll be able to buy a smaller heat pump and your home will be cheaper to heat properly.

• Quality. Choose a quality brand from a reputable supplier that offers at least a five-year warranty on parts and labour.

• Sizing. Make sure its sized correctly for the room you want to heat if its too small, it will have to work harder and cost you more to run.

• Climate. As the temperature drops, so does the performance of many heat pumps. If you live in a cold area, make sure the unit is sized using the manufacturers information on how much heat it can deliver at the average outdoor winter temperature of the area in which you live. A good quality unit, sized and installed correctly, should perform effectively down to minus 15°C. Ask your heat pump supplier if you need your heat pump to perform at these temperatures.

• Environment. For example, in geothermal areas or coastal areas the heat pump needs to have suitable protection against corrosion ask your supplier about environmental considerations in your area.

• Installation. Good installation is fundamental to how well a heat pump performs make sure you choose an experienced installer.

Checklist for using a heat pump efficiently

Like any heating option, heat pumps give the best energy savings when they are used smartly. You can save hundreds of dollars extra on your power bill a year with a few simple actions:

• Only heat the space youre actually using, shutting doors and curtains to keep the heat in.

• Set the thermostat to a healthy temperature. Aim for a minimum of 18ºC while you are using a space (or 20ºC if you have children, elderly or people who are unwell in the home) and 16ºC in bedrooms overnight.

• Learn to use the timer features. Dont leave your heat pump on all day if youre not there. You can set the unit to turn on half an hour or so before you get home.

• Clean the filter (inside and outside) regularly, as per the manufacturers instructions.

• Avoid using it as an airconditioner when you can. Try opening windows and doors on either side of the house to get a through breeze. Close curtains on hot, sunny days to keep you home cool and shady.

For further information on Oxygen Air and their efficient heat pump solutions or to arrange an obligation free heat pump quotation please visit their offical website at http://www.oxyair.co.nz/.