Last year, sales of heat pumps in the United States continued to grow (by 19.6 per cent compared with 2013 year), but this year the market also shows good performance. According to the Institute for the air conditioning, heating and cooling (AHRI), as of February 2015, total annual supply air heat pumps increased by 19.5 percent compared with 2014, and this is good news for contractors and manufacturers.
Manufacturers are obviously pleased that sell more equipment, and suppliers are extremely pleased that customers finally began to prefer the replacement of existing heating and cooling systems, their repair. And, in most cases, homeowners are finding a new generation of heat pumps more attractive in terms of comfort and efficiency.
Inverter-driven compressors, which allow a new generation of heat pumps achieve high efficiency heating, are one of a number of technological advances that make the popularity of modern heat pumps is growing rapidly.
"We live in a golden age of heat pumps" - says Dale Jackson, owner and vice president of sales «Jackson Heating and Air», based in LaGrange, Georgia. "Technology developed by leaps and bounds over the last 10 years, and the latest innovation is the inverter-driven compressors, which allow to produce an amazing amount of warm air throughout the year, regardless of the temperature outside."
Among other things, Jackson - ventustanovok fan with variable speed, which provide greater comfort to homeowners. "The speed of the internal fan with variable speed can be slowed down until the heat exchanger coil is heated to a predetermined temperature, in this case the client does not feel the cool air coming from the vents. This, coupled with a general increase in the reliability of heat pumps has brought amazing results. "
Jackson believes that technology drives inverter heat pumps are supplied to the first position in the list of best-selling devices after a geothermal heat pump. "We like geothermal technology, but these systems can cost $ 50,000 to $ 60,000 for each house that we equip. Heat pump with inverter-driven less by more than half, however, it can produce the heat required in the winter. In fact, last winter we had about -11 ° C, and in the house of 400 sq.m. Trane heat pump with inverter drive worked for 37 percent of the power, and electric heaters are not included. "
Thomas White, president of the company «Accurate Heating and Cooling», located in Chillicothe, Ohio, found that the higher the efficiency of heat pumps with inverter drive "makes it easier to sell them." "The new heat pumps are much more reliable. We can enter the market and confidently present these heat pumps are an excellent choice. "
White was able to increase sales, including the staff of advisers who understand how to operate the new systems, and heat pumps can effectively present their homeowners. "We live in the countryside, where the market has not yet fully come to a cost, so if our salespeople will be able to explain the justification for investment, emphasizing the lower operating costs and high cost of utilities, homeowners prefer to buy more sophisticated system."
It is important to clarify the return on investment for homeowners in Springfield, Oregon, said Chad Dennen, president of the company «Marshall's Inc.», which serves rural and urban populations. "Our economy is getting better and better, and one of the products that will be a good option for homeowners is a new five-stage heat pump Carrier, which has all the advantages of inverter-driven variable speed, while being in the lower price range. In rural areas, there is no natural gas, so they are almost 100 percent equipped with heat pumps. "
It is also important to tell the consumer about all the opportunities available, said Harold Kelly, a sales manager, «Marshall's Inc». "I sit down to talk with the owner about their problems. So I know what they like and do not like their heat pump system. We are talking about energy consumption and efficiency of the system, and then I offer them some solutions and help make the best choice. "
A serious problem that encourages more customers to the choice of the new heat pump systems (especially if they are faced with high costs for repair), is the phasing out of R-22, Kelly said. "Now, if someone fails a compressor in most legacy systems replacement of the compressor is not suitable and beneficial - especially given the high cost of R-22, as well as greater efficiency and new systems collateral."
Many customers prefer to replace the existing combined heating / air conditioning on fossil fuels, and heat pumps - is the most popular alternative. Jackson sees events often develop in such a scenario in the neighborhood with his second office in Opelika, Alabama, where many homes are gas stoves.
"Homeowners are aware of the problems associated with cumbersome equipment, and gas stoves often occupy too much space in the house," said Jackson. "The key to the decision to hold the heat load calculation to determine the correct size of the equipment, and then explain to the client what options he has. For example, in the house of 400 sq.m. you want to install air-conditioning capacity of 5 tons, and, accordingly, should also install a gas stove at 100,000 or 120,000-Btu, but actually you only need 40,000 Btu. Clients understand that they do not need an oven of this size, and they would prefer a properly rated heat pump, which can produce 53,000 Btu of heat. "
There are many reasons to love the new generation of heat pumps, so they continue to be popular with customers. "With the new inverter-driven heat pumps, customers can save huge amounts of electricity will be able to heat their homes at much lower ambient temperatures without a backup heating will be able to get a much higher level of comfort in the houses, and the equipment is more reliable," - he said, Kelly.
With all these advantages, not surprising predictions for which sales of heat pumps continue to rise.