Types Of Indoor Heat Pumps
Each type of indoor unit has features and advantages that are suited to particular applications and situations. As Mitsubishi is our most popular brand, we have included the following information from their website, which outlines the different types of indoor units available in their range.
Wall Mounted
The most popular heat pump choice. Wall mounted (or high wall) heat pumps save floor space and are designed to suit the style of any home.
Floor Mounted
With their slimline design, the floor consoles are a great renovation option, fitting neatly into cavities left by the removal of fireplaces or night-store heaters.
Ceiling Mounted
The range of ceiling mounted units offers you the flexibility to keep your wall and floor space free without compromising on comfort.
Ducted Systems
Ducted ceiling systems can be unobtrusive and provide efficient heating without interfering with the style of your home.
Multi Room
Using only one outdoor unit, multi-room units give you the freedom to select the best indoor model for each area without cluttering your home’s indoor aesthetics.
Design & Installation
Every heating or cooling situation is different, which is why it is important to consult with someone qualified, who has the expertise and knowledge to select the right unit/s and unit positioning for your specific situation.
We can design systems to suits all needs, from small homes to multi story high rise buildings; renovations or new builds; bring in your plans or we can meet you onsite.
Maintenance & Repairs
Technicool are an authorised service provider for all major brands. Our rigorous approach to technician training and investment in the latest technology has ensured that we are uniquely positioned to provide a world class maintenance and repair service right here in the Bay.
When you need friendly, knowledgeable advice about an issue with air conditioning, heat pumps or ventilation you can rely on expert help from our team. We are also happy to look after maintenance for you, ensuring the healthy and efficient operation of your domestic systems.
The benefits of a heat pump
The following information from the Mitsubishi website outlines the many benefits of a Heat Pump.
Energy Efficiency
Government agency EECA (Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority) has identified heat pumps as one of the most energy efficient forms of heating available in New Zealand.
This is because heat pumps do not create heat; they simply move available heat from one place to another. The little electrical energy that is needed is predominantly used to run the compressor.
Convenient
When choosing a heating appliance you should consider one that is low maintenance, easy to use and able to provide heat at the touch of a button ensuring you never have to compromise on comfort.
With a heat pump you can avoid the manual labour involved with fire wood, instead at the touch of a button you can have heat. Heat pumps are controlled by a thermostat, ensuring that your preferred temperature is maintained, there is no need to adjust settings the heat pump will do this automatically when required.
On cold winter nights take comfort in the fact you can come home to warmth with heat pump timers. All heat pumps come with a 24hour timer or a 7day timer, you can easily pre program your unit to start up or turn off according to your daily schedule, allowing you to enjoy total comfort with ease.
Unobtrusive Heating
As much as it is important to select the right capacity to heat your home, aesthetics are also a consideration for most heat pump purchasers. A unit which is unobtrusive, quiet and even able to complement existing décor are an important factor in deciding which heat pump best suits your home.
The ever popular Wall Mounted (High Wall) range boasts an extensive variety of options; from the traditional high wall design to the sharp, modern lines of the Mitsubishi Electric Designer Series for Multi Room systems, available in classic white, glossy black and matt silver.
Floor Mounted heat pumps sit discreetly at floor level – ideal for replacement of older heat sources such as fireplaces or night store heaters.
Heat pump solutions which are ceiling concealed are also gaining popularity for their unobtrusive design and versatility. Mitsubishi Electric understand that every home is different and as such, every home deserves a heat pump solution which enhances, rather than disrupts interior décor.
Safety
The New Zealand Fire Service recommends clothing, furniture and children be at least a metre away from heaters and fires.
Unlike gas burners or electric heaters, heat pumps are safe as they have no flames or hot surfaces that children can touch and burn themselves with
Environmental Sustainability
Heat pumps do not burn anything to provide heat energy, so other then the very small amount of electrical energy required for the compressor to operate, there are no additional carbon emissions.
Compare this to the combustion process of wood burners which cause fumes, soot and smoke, creating a major burden on the environment in terms of its carbon emissions.
Precise Comfort Control
A key benefit of heat pumps is higher comfort levels, Consumer states “heat pumps use a fan to distribute the warmed air, the heating spreads more evenly than most”. With some heating appliances such as woodburners the further you move away from the heat source the less heat you will feel, whilst others provide only spot heating (i.e. portable heaters).
Once your set temperature is reached a heat pump will maintain this, in contrast some appliances may continue to heat resulting in an uncomfortably hot room – you could spend the rest of your evening juggling settings to maintain the right comfort level!
Improved Air Quality
A key benefit of a heat pump is the ability to filter the air that you are heating, getting rid of nasty allergens.
Important for both asthma and allergy sufferers, most heat pumps are fitted with advanced filtration systems to provide optimal air quality by filtering and deodorising the air. These two functions work together to remove even the tiniest airborne particles and break them down or neutralize them.
While systems like unflued gas heaters actually deplete the air quality and consume oxygen – heat pumps have been shown to improve air quality while keeping you warm.
Humidity Control
Appliances like unflued gas heaters produce carbon dioxide and fill the air with unhealthy amounts moisture. Without adequate ventilation, this can be detrimental to the health of you and your family.
Heat pumps are actually able to dehumidify in cooling or “dry” modes enabling your heat pump to combat excess moisture such as condensation and humidity.
It must always be remembered that the three key elements to a healthy home are heating, insulation and ventilation.
Cooling in Summer
New Zealand is predominantly a heating market – what is globally considered an air-conditioner is purchased by New Zealand consumers as a heat pump.
The principle for providing air conditioned cooling works much in the same way as the heat pump generates heat, but instead of extracting freely available heat from outside air the unit reverses the process to extract cool air and pump this indoors.
This is an added benefit for heat pump users, keeping the home nice and cool on those long hot summer days!
Health Benefits
We all know that a warmer, drier home has a positive effect on our health, and that living with household temperatures below 16°C can contribute to respiratory illness and premature mortality.
In fact, the World Health Organisation recommends a minimum indoor temperature of 18°C for healthy people, and 20°C for ‘at risk’ groups like the elderly, young children and those with respiratory illnesses. It is for these reasons that having adequate insulation, ventilation and heating in your home is vital.