When selecting a heat pump for your home, you want to ensure it meets your family's needs in terms of comfort, efficiency, and air quality. Here's a guide to help you make an informed decision.

1. Select the Type: Ducted vs. Ductless

The first decision is whether to go with a ducted or ductless heat pump system. If your home already has ducts that are in good working order, a ducted system is often the best choice. Swapping out a furnace for a heat pump is usually straightforward, and you’ll have more options for different types of heat pumps.

If you have limited attic or crawl space, you might consider a mini-ducted system. These compact air handlers fit in tight spaces and can be a great option for homes where traditional ductwork is impractical. You can also combine ducted and ductless systems if needed, allowing for flexibility in specific areas of your home, like a room addition or a garage conversion.

2. Choose a Brand

At Electric Air, we predominantly work with two trusted brands: Gree and Mitsubishi.

• Gree is one of the largest manufacturers of air conditioning systems in the world, producing about one-third of global units. While Gree is less known in the U.S., it offers reliable products at a competitive price point.
• Mitsubishi is a leader in heat pump technology, known for advanced features, reliability, and wide product options. Although Mitsubishi systems tend to be a bit more expensive, their build quality is very high and our customers and technicians always enjoy using them and installing them. 

3. Select the Compressor and Fan Type: Single-Speed vs. Variable-Speed

Another critical decision is selecting the right type of compressor and fan for your heat pump. Here's a breakdown of the options:

• Single-Speed compressors run at full capacity when they're on and shut off when they reach the desired temperature. These systems are less efficient, noisier, and tend to cause temperature fluctuations.
• Variable-Speed compressors adjust their output based on the exact heating or cooling needs, providing smoother operation and higher efficiency. This technology allows the system to run more quietly and maintain a more consistent temperature. We only install variable-speed systems at Electric Air because they offer a superior customer experience. For example, Gree offers a variable-speed compressor with a multi-speed indoor unit fan, while Mitsubishi offers fully variable-speed compressors and indoor unit fans, giving you even more precise control.

4. Pick a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat is essential for controlling your heat pump with convenience. Electric Air recommends two main options:

• Ecobee and Nest smart thermostats are compatible with Gree and Mitsubishi systems, offering remote access and control through smartphones.
• Mitsubishi also offers a proprietary thermostat system (MHK2) and their Kumo Cloud Wi-Fi adapter, which integrates directly with Mitsubishi systems for enhanced variable speed control. While the MHK2 offers more advanced features, most homeowners find Ecobee or Nest work just as well. 

If you regret your choice later, swapping one thermostat for another is easy (though sometimes expensive).

Ductless systems, by contrast, often come with a simple remote control by default, though they can also integrate with smart thermostats.

5. Zoning Options

Ductless mini-splits are the gold standard when it comes to zoning. With ductless systems, each room or zone can have its own indoor unit, meaning you can independently control the temperature of each area in your home.

For ducted systems, zoning is achieved through the use of automatic dampers. These dampers regulate the flow of air to different parts of your home, like upstairs versus downstairs, ensuring that each zone gets the right amount of heating or cooling. At Electric Air, we provide automatic zoning for about one-third of our customers, optimizing comfort and energy efficiency.

6. Air Filtration: Keep Your Family’s Air Clean

Air filtration is an important aspect of your heat pump system, as it helps protect both the equipment and your family’s health.

• MERV 8 filters come standard with most heat pumps and remove particles as small as 3 microns. This is sufficient to trap dust, mold, and some larger airborne particles.
• For superior air quality, we recommend upgrading to MERV 13 filters, which capture particles as small as 1 micron. MERV 13 filters are ideal for filtering out finer pollutants, like bacteria and wildfire smoke, improving the air your family breathes. We supply these filters with our annual service plan.

To avoid restricting airflow and increasing pressure loss, we suggest using 4-inch thick MERV 13 filters. This ensures optimal air filtration without compromising the efficiency of your system.

By considering these key factors—system type, brand, compressor and fan options, smart thermostats, zoning, and air filtration—you can select the best heat pump for your family's needs. At Electric Air, we’re here to guide you through the process and ensure you make the right choice for comfort and efficiency. Contact us today to learn more about our heat pump installation services!