DIY Heat Pump Installation

Home owners in Auckland have to deal with a very damp winter and a humid summer, a heat pump is an ideal HVAC system for your home.

Installation of a heat pump is not an easy task, but some are up for the challenge. However, if you need help in installing contact your local heat pump guys in Auckland.

How does a heat pump work?

Heat naturally moves towards areas of lower temperatures, but to keep the heat to a specific place or move to another place a heat pump is ideal. Heat pumps use the power of electricity to move heat from a cooler area to a warmer one, which makes the warm spaces warmer in the winter and the cool spaces cooler in the summer. Heat pumps help in either increasing or decreasing the temperature.

Tools required:

• Drill

• Level 

• Hammer

• Wire stripper

• Hole saw- ½’ minimum

• Pliers

• Tape

• Cable tie

Installation:

1. Installing the condenser: 

Install the condenser outside the house. It is an essential part of the heat pump. Before installation, drill a ½’ hole in the wall for the refrigerant lines. The condenser should be installed at a distance of at least 4’ away from the house. Also, we have to make sure that there is at least 20’ of clear air above and in front.

2. Add the air handler mount:

Find a place to place the air handler, the device that is responsible to release cold or warm air into the room. It should be placed within 30 feet of the condenser. It should be nowhere near a TV.

3. Screw in the mounting plate: 

it is the device that holds the air handler onto the wall, similar to mounting a TV. Connect the refrigerant lines, control wire and condensate hose. It is a good idea to connect the three with a tape. Make sure the mount is securely fastened to the wall. Just like a TV you would not want it to fall down five minutes after installation.

4. Connecting the Air Handler to the Condenser:

This can be a tricky step for many people. Once again if you need help look up for professionals who serve in Heat pumps installation in Auckland locally.

Connect the outdoor unit’s power cable to the breaker cable. Then, you have to connect the control wire from the outdoor unit to the air handler inside. To finalize the connection, take the ends of the refrigerant lines and connect them to the condenser.

5. Making Final Connections:

Before adding the cover to the unit outside, connect a gauge manifold and a vacuum pump to the refrigerant lines which can help in detecting leaks and dry the lines if needed. Finally cover the air handler cover inside.