Question 1

How to choose between an air conditioner and a heat pump?

Accepted Answer

An air conditioner will only allow you to cool your home in summer, while a heat pump will also allow you to heat in winter by reversing its operating cycle. The heat pump will save you on your electricity bill since it is much less energy-consuming than your main heating system (furnace, electric heaters, etc.).

Question 2

What is the average lifespan of my system?

Accepted Answer

A heat pump or central air conditioner or bibloc without ducts will have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. An electric or gas furnace will have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.

Question 3

What are the advantages of having a forced air system?

Accepted Answer

Thanks to ventilation ducts, these systems provide more uniform heating in all rooms of the house. Air is distributed through the ventilation ducts and the temperature requested on the thermostat is quickly reached in all rooms of the house, even if the doors of the different rooms are closed. In addition, with a central forced air system, it is possible to add accessories to improve the comfort of the residence. You can control the humidity level of the residence by adding a central humidifier. You can also air condition the house by adding an air conditioner or a heat pump. It is also possible to add an ultraviolet lamp to help neutralize the presence of bad odor and purify the air by eliminating bacteria, mold and allergens.

Question 4

Why does smoke come out of my heat pump in winter?

Accepted Answer

When the temperature approaches freezing point or drops below 0 degrees Celsius and the outside humidity is high enough, it is normal to see water vapor escaping from the heat pump and to notice a thin layer of ice or frost on the outside coil of your heat pump when it is in heating mode. This phenomenon constitutes the defrost cycle of your heat pump and is essential for its proper functioning. In fact, thanks to the defrosting mode, the ice contained on the outside coil melts, which causes the escape of water vapor, which is similar to a slight white smoke. During the defrost cycle, the outdoor fan stops working, then the heat pump starts air conditioning for a few minutes, so the compressor can make a little more noise during this step. Finally, the heat pump returns to heating mode. The defrosting cycle can be performed every 30, 60 or 90 minutes depending on the case. So, it is important to remember that a thin layer of ice or frost on your heat pump and that the exhaust of water vapor is completely normal during the cold period.

Question 5

Do I have to set my thermostat in ON ventilation mode or in AUTO ventilation mode?

Accepted Answer

Automatic mode means that the fan will only operate when your thermostat indicates a demand for either heating or cooling. The ON mode means that the fan operates constantly, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Using ON mode will require a more frequent filter replacement since the air will circulate there continuously. Finally, using ON mode will allow better distribution of heat or air conditioning in all your rooms.

Question 6

What is TRES or SEER?

Accepted Answer

SEER means "Seasonal Energy Efficiency ratio" TRES in French means "seasonal energy efficiency rate". This rate is used to calculate the efficiency of the device in air conditioning. The higher the rate, the less energy the device consumes during operation.

Question 7

What is a ton?

Accepted Answer

One ton measures the capacity of the unit in air conditioning. One ton is equivalent to 12,000 BTU / h. Several factors can influence the choice of the right tonnage such as: the surface to be heated or air-conditioned, the static pressures in your central system, the exposure to the sun, the location of the bibloc wall-mounted appliance without ducts and the layout of the rooms of your residence.

Question 8

What is HSPF?

Accepted Answer

HSPF means "seasonal heating performance factor". Thus, the HSPF measures the efficiency of the heat pump in heating. The higher the rate, the less energy it consumes during operation.

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