Energy Adviser: Training helps avoid mishaps on heat pumps

It would be a shame to spend $15,000 on a new heat pump only to find out that it's not operating efficiently because it wasn't installed correctly. Or that the air you paid to condition was seeping into your attic or crawl space, instead of heating or cooling your living room.

These are the kind of mishaps that hiring contractors trained by the regional Performance Tested Comfort System program can help you avoid.

The program, administered by the Bonneville Power Administration, trains and certifies heating contractors to install heat pumps to the highest standards so that the units deliver the greatest energy savings and comfort possible.

"There are a lot of different things about heat pumps that need to be done correctly to be as efficient as the manufacturer says it is," said Stephanie Vasquez, PTCS program manager for BPA.

Additionally, it's important that the ductwork is tight, she said.

"A lot of times, the ductwork is put together in a way so that air is coming out of cracks and holes all over the place, heating the crawl space or attic instead of the rooms," Vasquez said. "It can waste up to 30 percent of the energy used by the unit."

PTCS provides step-by-step support to contractors to ensure that your new heat pump has been commissioned and configured to deliver conditioned air to its greatest potential.

That's why homeowners should look for contractors certified by the PTCS program, Vasquez said. Plus, if you want to take advantage of Clark Public Utilities' $500 rebates for installing a new energy-efficient heat pump or sealing ducts, hiring a PTCS-certified technician is a requirement. The utility offers a list of contractors who have received the PTCS training and certification.

Contractors certified by the program install heat pumps to standards higher than current building codes so that the units will perform well and have a long life -- and so you can avoid the need for backup heat.

According to BPA's website, a PTCS-certified technician will:

Originally posted here:
Energy Adviser: Training helps avoid mishaps on heat pumps