Installation
Explore This Section
Learn the best installation techniques from professional heat pump installers.
Featured Videos:
Flare Fitting
Learn best practices for creating a long-lasting, durable flare connection.
Key Takeaways:
- Creating a flare connection is a simple technical process that can be done quickly and will result in a seamless connection if the correct steps are followed.
- Check the installation manual for manufacturer recommended torque and flare dimensions that vary based on the diameter of tubing.
- Purchase and use high-quality tools you are comfortable with. There is wide quality variance on flaring tools and torque wrenches. Look for tools that provider user feedback when the correct pressure has been applied.
- Continuously inspect the flare throughout the process for defects in the copper or shape of the flare. At any point, the flare can be cut, and the process restarted to ensure a high-quality flare connection.
- Apply refrigerant oil that is compatible with the refrigerant being used to the face of the flare nut only. Do not apply lubrication to the threads of the flare nut; doing so will lower the friction and the proper torque will not be achievable.
- Use a flaring tool and torque wrench that provide feedback to avoid over-tightening and damaging the copper.
- Before insulating the lines, run nitrogen through the system and perform a leak test.
- Completely cover the refrigerant line with insulation and seal the section to the atmosphere to protect from moisture infiltration which will condensate on the refrigerant line.
Sizing, Design, and Product Selection
Key Takeaways:
- Manual J is the industry standard for accurately sizing a heat pump system.
- Trust your Manual J — there is no need to oversize a heat pump system, especially when the house is properly insulated.
- Pick a heat pumps that has enough capacity at the heating design temperature to cover the load. It’s not enough to look at the nominal capacity because heat pumps lose capacity as it gets colder — and some more than others.
- Customers are regularly reporting increased savings and comfort, valuable feedback that can help you sell more units.
- Ask your customers what their needs are — there are a variety of heat pumps that can be mixed and matched to meet your customer’s needs.
Installation Successes — Series
Explore our short videos below to hear from two respected installers, Hal Smith (Halco) and Terry Moag (The Radiant Store). They’ll discuss keys to their success and the importance of your customer’s happiness.
Solving Comfort Problems in an Aging Housing Stock
In this Clean Heat Connect video, Hal and Terry explain why cold-climate heat pumps help them successfully solve the comfort problems that contractors typically encounter when working in older homes.
Other Videos in This Series
In this Clean Heat Connect video, Hal and Terry explain why cold-climate heat pumps help them successfully solve the comfort problems that contractors typically encounter when working in older homes.
In this Clean Heat Connect video, Hal and Terry explain how paying attention to customer service details, from the start of a project through to the finish, helps to guarantee a successful heat pump installation and a satisfied long term customer.
In this Clean Heat Connect video, Hal and Terry explain how their commitment to successful heat pump installations and customer experiences has allowed them to grow their businesses organically by generating high numbers of referrals.
In this Clean Heat Connect video, Hal and Terry explain why investing in proper staff training, such as taking advantage of NYSERDA’s On-the-Job Training Program, is the best way to guarantee success at the project site and success as a business.
Installation Challenges — Series
All installers face installation challenges from time to time. Explore our short videos below from two respected installers, Hal Smith (Halco) and Terry Moag (The Radiant Store), addressing some of the common challenges they face and how they overcome them.
Build Trust to Overcome the Rising Cost of Doing Business
In this video, Hal shares his experience navigating the rising costs of doing business as a heat pump installer, with an emphasis on the importance of building trust with his customers.
Other Videos in This Series
In this video, Hal shares his experience navigating the rising costs of doing business as a heat pump installer, with an emphasis on the importance of building trust with his customers.
In this video, Hal and Terry discuss how they overcome the common challenge of refrigerant leaks by staying up to date on technology changes and training their staff on proper connection point installations, along with the business case for doing so.
In this video, Hal and Terry discuss how they overcome the common challenge of mis-wired low voltage branch boxes by training their staff on proper low voltage wiring and the business case for doing so.
In this video, Hal and Terry describe their approaches to properly mounting outdoor condenser units in order to avoid customer frustration and ensure the systems they install function as intended.
In this video, Hal and Terry describe the common challenges associated with properly sizing heat pump systems and their strategies for overcoming these challenges.