Heat Pump Boss Series: Sizing, Design, and Installation

The Importance of Load Calculations

This video explains what load calculations are, why they matter, and how factors like insulation, climate, and building design influence heating and cooling needs. Learn about the ACCA Manual J, the industry standard for load calculations, and discover how to avoid common mistakes like oversized equipment.

• Guide & Checklist (PDF)

How to Prepare for Takeoffs

This video highlights the key tools and materials — such as a takeoff form aligned with Manual J inputs, measuring devices, and photo documentation — and demonstrates how to capture accurate building details.

How to do Takeoffs — Insulation Surfaces — Walls, Ceilings/Attics, Floors, and Below Grade Walls

This video explains how to assess the home’s insulation surfaces — walls, floors, ceilings/attics, and below grade floors — for input into a Manual J load calc. It describes the options and choices regarding basement or crawlspace modeling.

How to do Takeoffs — Windows

This video explains how to assess a window’s thermal properties — U-factor and SHGC — as well as window sizes for input into a Manual J load calc. It also covers how to document aspects that impact cooling load — such as orientation, overhangs, and side fins.

How to do Takeoffs — Mechanical Systems

This video explains how to document the building’s mechanical systems for entry into a Manual J load calculations — ventilation systems, ducts, and hydronic heating distribution.

How to do Takeoffs — Infiltration Assessments and Blower Door Assisted Air Sealing

This video covers both options for how to assess the building infiltration rate — blower door testing and visual assessment relative to ACCA’s infiltration rate grading. It also covers the added value of conducting blower-door assisted air-sealing during the assessment to reduce the load.

• View Factsheet (PDF)

Existing Duct Management

This video covers how to assess ductwork conditions, evaluate its suitability for heat pump systems.

• View Guide (PDF)

Understanding Load Calculation Software

This video highlights the importance of understanding software limitations, data input for the more complicated building features, reviewing inputs, and avoiding common pitfalls.

Load Calculation Quality Control

This video discusses how to get accurate load calculations with our guide to quality control — covering common mistakes to avoid, key considerations for accurate calculations, and how to evaluate heating load contributions by building components.

• Guide & Checklist (PDF)

Heat Pump System Sizing from the Manual J

This video dives into heat pump system sizing using a Manual J, providing a comprehensive guide to accurately matching heating and cooling loads with system capacity. It explains the risks of oversizing and undersizing HVAC systems, highlighting the importance of right-sizing for optimal performance, energy efficiency, and comfort.

Heat Pump System Design from the Manual J

This video dives into heat pump system design using the Manual J, providing a comprehensive guide to creating efficient, cost-effective, and comfortable heating and cooling solutions. Building on the importance of right-sizing systems, it focuses on creating a system design that works for the building. This includes matching room loads, selecting distribution methods that cover the entire house, pairing zones on the same compressor, considering multi-compressor designs, and optimizing outdoor unit placement for performance and reliability.

• View Factsheet (PDF)
• View Guide (PDF)

Heat Pump Design for Lower Cost Installs

This video discusses various cost-reduction options born from design decisions — transfer fans, small-room heaters, reduced line-lengths, low-static ducts, remote thermostats.

Oversizing

This video explores how to prevent oversizing and the negative effects it can have on system operation, energy costs, and homeowner comfort. Learn about the impact of short cycling, what it means, and how to avoid it. We’ll also cover best practices for heat pump selection and proper sizing to help ensure performance and long-term reliability.

• View Snow Deflector Products Guide (PDF)
• View Installing in Cold Climates Guide (PDF)
• View Field Assessments Guide & Checklist (PDF)

Over-zoning

This video explores the design intentions behind zonal versus whole-home systems, how to select and size heat pumps for multi-zone or multi-split designs, and the differences between correctly zoned and over-zoned systems. Learn how over-zoning affects equipment performance.

Outdoor Unit Equipment Placement

This video covers guidelines for outdoor heat pump unit placement, including hazard avoidance, snowfall management, airflow clearance, vibration reduction, securing the unit, level installation, and electrical disconnect placement.

Real-World Outdoor Placement Issues

This video will explore real-world examples of outdoor heat pump placement challenges and how to address them effectively.

• View Installing in Cold Climates Guide (PDF)
• View Field Assessments Guide & Checklist (PDF)

Indoor Unit Equipment Placement

This video outlines guidelines for indoor heat pump unit placement, including clearance requirements, accessibility for maintenance, and strategies for optimizing airflow.

Real-World Indoor Placement Issues

This video will explore real-world examples of indoor heat pump placement challenges and how to resolve them.

Dehumidification

This video explores how heat pumps can assist with dehumidification and the role they play in managing indoor humidity levels. Learn about common sources of humidity in the home, strategies to defend against excess moisture, and how proper system sizing impacts humidity control. We’ll also discuss options and recommendations for supplemental dehumidification to ensure comfort and air quality.

• View Factsheet (PDF)

Commissioning

This video highlights the importance of using manufacturer or Clean Heat Connect commissioning checklists to confirm proper installation of the unit, line set, operations, controls, and ducts.

• Customer Handout (PDF)

Refrigerant and Condensate Lines

This video outlines various guidelines for installing refrigerant and condensate lines in heat pump systems. Learn how to insulate and protect refrigerant lines, improve system aesthetics, and ensure proper condensate drainage to prevent leaks, damage, and safety risks.

Proper Care

This video highlights the importance of proper upkeep and provides practical tips, such as cleaning filters, removing debris, and scheduling professional servicing. Learn how these simple steps can boost efficiency, extend the lifespan of your system, and save on energy costs.

Over-Sizing, Over-Zoning, and Resistance Heat

This video outlines the importance of avoiding oversizing and over-zoning in heat pump design to enhance efficiency and reduce costs, emphasizing the critical role of accurate load calculations, in designing effective systems. Additionally, it touches on the strategic use of resistance heat as a tool in specific scenarios, offering practical insights for achieving optimized heat pump performance.

ASHP Sizing Affects Efficiency

This video highlights how proper sizing of air-source heat pumps (ASHP) significantly impacts efficiency. It explores the relationship between sizing and efficiency, emphasizing that “bigger is not always better.” Through three real-world examples, the video examines home design loads, load lines, and heat pump output.

Multi-Zone ASHP Sizing and Efficiency

This video explores the challenges of sizing and efficiency in multi-zone heat pump systems. The video provides an example of an oversized multi-zone system and discusses insights from manufacturers on when and how to properly apply these systems.

Single-Zone Ductless + Resistance

This video examines the combination of ductless air source heat pumps (ASHP) with resistance heating, focusing on real-world examples and the cost implications of this approach. It explores the potential for savings in both installation and operating costs, while highlighting best practices for integrating these systems to maximize efficiency and comfort for homeowners. Additionally, it discusses key habits homeowners should adopt when using this combination.

Ducted Systems

This video explores ducted ASHP as a versatile and effective solution for various applications. It provides a real-world example of a ducted system and outlines key indicators for determining when a ducted system is the ideal choice.

Resistance in Ducted Systems

This video delves into the combination of resistance heat and ducted systems, highlighting that while it is not always necessary, it can be a valuable addition in specific applications. Additionally, the video examines the impact of resistance heat on system efficiency.

Extreme Cold Events

This video explores the impact of extreme cold events, such as polar vortexes, on heating systems, while emphasizing that these scenarios are a low priority since systems are typically sized to the 1% design temperature. Through hypothetical examples, the video examines the concerns that arise when outdoor temperatures drop significantly and why extreme sold events are not an excuse for oversizing.

Wrap

This video serves as a summary of key insights, the importance of accurate load calculations and benefits of smaller, simpler systems for efficiency and comfort. It highlights when ducted systems and resistance heat are practical solutions and explores strategies to control resistance heat effectively.