Raleigh Heat Pump Guide: Factors in Heat Pump Load Calculation
When you buy a new heat pump in Raleigh, it is essential to do a complete load calculation to make sure it is the right size for your home. Basically, a load calculation for a heat pump involves calculating both surface heat loss and the heat loss due to air penetration. These two measurements have to be taken individually for each room in your home. So it is good to have a floor plan with the dimensions of ceiling, doors, floors and windows on hand when calculating the load.
The following factors have to be considered to complete a load calculation for a heat pump:
- Size of your Home: The overall size of the home is the primary factor to determine the load. The load will be high for bigger rooms. Measuring cubic footage alone is not enough. You also need to calculate the size of walls, floors and ceiling completely. Shape and position of the home also need to be taken into account.
- Heat Loss Factors: You have to analyze the location of the room thoroughly to calculate the load and detect the heat loss factors that may affect it other than the size of the space to be heated or cooled. Full length curtains, uninsulated walls and walls next to rooms without heating or cooling are some factors that need to be considered.
- Doors and Windows: If you are calculating the load for a room that has at least one outer wall, you need to consider the windows and doors. The type, size and quantity of the windows, as well as the directions they face are also taken into account during a load calculation.
- Climate of your Location: While calculating the load for a heat pump, you need to consider the likely temperature range throughout the year of the area you live in.
There are a variety of factors that could make an impact on the load calculation of a heat pump. That’s why it’s a good idea to hire a professional Raleigh heat pump contractor such as R & S Mechanical to get an accurate measure and make proper calculations to make sure you get the right sized system for your home.
R & S Mechanical (919) 302-8956 proudly serve Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Morrisville, Clayton, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Greensboro, Hillsborough, Mebane and surrounding areas with world-class air conditioning service, heat pump services, air conditioning replacement, heating system services, and heating system replacement.
