Installing Heat Pumps: Lessons from the Field

Heat Pumps are a big part of the solution to meeting California’s climate goals in buildings. In plain terms, they’re reversible air conditioners and have been around for over 100 years. This session is designed for HVAC contractors, builders, and others who want to understand how to install heat pumps right. We will cover how heat pumps can add value to your business, how heat pumps work and various configurations, and how to overcome common installation hurdles. Hurdles covered include dealing with existing ductwork, filtration requirements, cold weather, sizing, and electrical requirements. We will also discuss first costs, operating costs, and incentives.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand how focusing on heat pumps can add value to your business
• Learn what energy code requirements apply to heat pumps and how variable capacity heat pumps (VCHPs) qualify for a significant compliance credit
• Study various installation hurdles and how to overcome them
• Learn typical first costs and operating costs, as compared to gas furnace split systems