Building Envelope Impacts Heat Pump Selection
Changes to any of these assemblies associated with the building envelope will impact the HVAC systems. With fossil fuel-based heating systems, there is a certain degree of flexibility where such renovations will not negatively impact the equipment. For example, adding insulation to your attic will reduce heat loss, and the impact on a fossil fuel furnace would be a reduced running time in the depths of winter. In an extreme case, we could see furnaces being significantly oversized after such renovations, causing short cycling, which would cause comfort and reliability concerns. Many furnaces today are multi-stage or variable, which would help negate these impacts.
Greener Homes Program Switching to Heat Pump In Ontario
However, suppose you plan to complete envelope renovations to help reduce energy demand, specifically to transition your fossil fuel HVAC systems to electrified systems (heat pumps). We commonly see this with the Greener Homes program and energy audits recommending envelope improvements. In that case, it is essential to consider this to help guide your renovation decisions. We also recommend you make any improvements first to reduce the building loads before transitioning to a heat pump. However, knowing that you plan to install a heat pump, homeowners should have a complete Heat Loss / Gain calculation done on their home first so you can get a complete picture. This process can optimize the heat pump selection to ensure the most cost-effective approach.
HVAC Design Ontario Heat Loss
By building the energy model to calculate heat loss, we can adjust the R-values of the different envelope components to match the improvements you plan to make and weigh the costs and the benefits to the impact on the HVAC system sizing and overall comfort and efficiency. We can then compare your current HVAC system operating costs to various heat pump options.
So, as you consider adding insulation, or changing windows or doors, per the Energuide Audit, you should contact an HVAC design professional early in the process to help you get the most cost-effective solution possible.
Evolved Thermal Energy Heat Pump Installer Network Ontario
At Evolved Thermal Energy, we help people with this process every day. Contact us via our Qualify form to get started today!