If you are planning to upgrade or replace your long-used heat pump, it is but natural for you to look for an estimate of the replacement cost. You cannot expect to get a new pump at the same price as the old one which you bought five or six years ago. Technology keeps improving and prices almost always keep going higher. Heat pumps are one of the most efficient heating appliances that save considerable amount of energy. Their USP lies in the fact that they are more efficient than conventional heating systems because they move heat around, rather than generate it.
Let us analyze what one would expect the cost of pump replacement to be. Before that, let us see what are the different types of pumps available and what are the things you need to look out for, while choosing a replacement.This will help you understand the cost involved in replacement.
About Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are machines that transport heat from one place to another through mechanical work. By mechanism, there are two types of pumps: absorption and compression pumps. By source of heat transmission, heat pumps can be classified as air source and geothermal pumps. The air source type extracts heat from the surrounding air, while the geothermal pump derives heat from the ground (not to be confused with geothermal heat). Here, geothermal heat source means the ground, heated by incident solar rays. Some types of pumps even have water bodies as heat sources. Depending on the type of pump and heat source used, the price varies considerably.
Choosing a Replacement
While buying a new pump, you must choose between air source and geothermal source heat pumps. The important parameter to consider while buying a pump is that of 'Coefficient of Performance (COP)'. It is a ratio of the useful heat movement to the amount of mechanical work put into its working. The most widely used heat pump types are air source pumps, which generally provide a COP of 3 or 4. This is quite high compared to the COP rating of conventional heating systems like electrical resistance heaters, which is around 1.
Although heat pumps can also be used in reverse mode as a cooler, its efficiency is a lot less in cooling mode. The cooling efficiency is measured by EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio), which is the ratio of cooling capacity to the electrical energy input. The EER is low compared to other appliances, as heat naturally flows from hotter to colder regions but the reverse flow requires a lot more mechanical work. These machines are best suited for regions which have climate, that necessitates moderate heating and cooling.
Cost of Replacement
The cost to install a small air source heat pump, with a capacity to heat up a single room, can range from $500 to $1500. These are generally through the wall units installed in small rooms like dormitories. However, if you are planning to install a pump for the whole house, the cost is a lot higher due to the new duct work that will have to be installed. These types come in two pieces, with one piece placed outside and one inside, connected by duct work. For a typical home, an air source heat pump of 3 ton capacity, ranges from $4,500 to $6,000. The price will increase, with every additional indoor unit that you install. So figure out the total number of units you will need, before you look for a cost estimate.
Since you are looking for a replacement, you must already have installed duct work in your house. In that case, a standard small split type, electric air source pump installation can cost you about $2,000 to $5,000. You can also opt for a dual fuel powered air source heat pump (which uses natural gas as an alternative heating source) installation, that will cost you about $6,000 to $10,000. The costliest alternative is the geothermal heat pump, that requires the setup of underground pipes. Depending on the size of unit that you set up, a replacement cost can run as high as $11,000 to $26,000.
The cost can certainly be recovered over a period of time, as it substantially reduces your heating bills. Within a few years, the heat pump will have paid for itself. Opting for appliances like these pumps is taking a step towards a greener tomorrow.
Let us analyze what one would expect the cost of pump replacement to be. Before that, let us see what are the different types of pumps available and what are the things you need to look out for, while choosing a replacement.This will help you understand the cost involved in replacement.
About Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are machines that transport heat from one place to another through mechanical work. By mechanism, there are two types of pumps: absorption and compression pumps. By source of heat transmission, heat pumps can be classified as air source and geothermal pumps. The air source type extracts heat from the surrounding air, while the geothermal pump derives heat from the ground (not to be confused with geothermal heat). Here, geothermal heat source means the ground, heated by incident solar rays. Some types of pumps even have water bodies as heat sources. Depending on the type of pump and heat source used, the price varies considerably.
Choosing a Replacement
While buying a new pump, you must choose between air source and geothermal source heat pumps. The important parameter to consider while buying a pump is that of 'Coefficient of Performance (COP)'. It is a ratio of the useful heat movement to the amount of mechanical work put into its working. The most widely used heat pump types are air source pumps, which generally provide a COP of 3 or 4. This is quite high compared to the COP rating of conventional heating systems like electrical resistance heaters, which is around 1.
Although heat pumps can also be used in reverse mode as a cooler, its efficiency is a lot less in cooling mode. The cooling efficiency is measured by EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio), which is the ratio of cooling capacity to the electrical energy input. The EER is low compared to other appliances, as heat naturally flows from hotter to colder regions but the reverse flow requires a lot more mechanical work. These machines are best suited for regions which have climate, that necessitates moderate heating and cooling.
Cost of Replacement
The cost to install a small air source heat pump, with a capacity to heat up a single room, can range from $500 to $1500. These are generally through the wall units installed in small rooms like dormitories. However, if you are planning to install a pump for the whole house, the cost is a lot higher due to the new duct work that will have to be installed. These types come in two pieces, with one piece placed outside and one inside, connected by duct work. For a typical home, an air source heat pump of 3 ton capacity, ranges from $4,500 to $6,000. The price will increase, with every additional indoor unit that you install. So figure out the total number of units you will need, before you look for a cost estimate.
Since you are looking for a replacement, you must already have installed duct work in your house. In that case, a standard small split type, electric air source pump installation can cost you about $2,000 to $5,000. You can also opt for a dual fuel powered air source heat pump (which uses natural gas as an alternative heating source) installation, that will cost you about $6,000 to $10,000. The costliest alternative is the geothermal heat pump, that requires the setup of underground pipes. Depending on the size of unit that you set up, a replacement cost can run as high as $11,000 to $26,000.
The cost can certainly be recovered over a period of time, as it substantially reduces your heating bills. Within a few years, the heat pump will have paid for itself. Opting for appliances like these pumps is taking a step towards a greener tomorrow.
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