Thanks again for requesting your copy of, " The Consumers Guide to Heat Pumps in Nova Scotia. This guide explains: The right questions to ask when shopping for an installer Potential pitfalls and ripoffs to avoid and more... Along with our Consumer Guide, we ve created 10 Educational Videos to help illustrate the technical aspects of heat pump ownership. You will receive these videos via email as a special bonus for requesting our Guide. The first clip in the series is titled, SUNSHINE Cost to run a heat pump" which will arrive in your inbox in just a few short days. Other topics include: How much could you save by installing a heat pump Nova Scotia Power's heat pump financing program Understanding heat pump ratings and specs What to look for when choosing a quality brand/model Proper sizing of a ductless heat pump The cost to run a heat pump during the Summer months using A/C What maintenance does a heat pump require and more... Our goal is to provide you with the best information possible so you can make an informed decision about a heat pump for your home. If you'd like to get a head start on watching some of these videos visit www.heatpumpvideos.ca today!
The Consumers Guide to Heat Pumps in Nova Scotia How a Heat Pump will Save You Money How to Avoid 3 Heat Pump Installation Rip Offs 5 Costly Misconceptions About Having a Heat Pump Installed The 3 Deadly Secrets About Heat Pump Installers 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Heat Pump Contractor 4 Questions to Ask ANY Contractor Before They Install a Heat Pump in Your Home Sunshine Renewable Energy 1
Dear Homeowner, We are grateful for this opportunity to provide you with information about the heat pump industry in Nova Scotia. This guide will help prepare you to make an informed and intelligent decision when selecting a contractor to install a new ductless heat pump. As heat pump contractors ourselves, we have spent the past two years watching this industry explode in popularity across the province. To ensure we are at the leading edge of the industry, we invest in our staffs education and training to ensure they have the proper knowledge to advise homeowners on the best equipment for their situation. Also, to maintain control over the quality and workmanship of our installations we have our own team of Red Seal Certified Journeyman Air Conditioning & Refrigeration technicians on staff. After completing over 700 installs and assessing over 3,000 homes in the HRM alone, we have learned that heat pumps are a subject of much confusion. In fact, people have so many misconceptions about ductless heat pumps we decided to offer this consumer education message. We are going to share with you how a heat pump will save you money. Then we will go over how you can avoid 3 heat pump installation rip offs and 5 costly misconceptions that exist in the industry. We will share with you the 3 secrets some heat pump installers have and let you know the 5 mistakes to avoid when choosing a contractor. Lastly we will go over the 4 questions to ask ANY heat pump contractor before you hire them to install a system in your home. How a Heat Pump will Save you Money Heat pumps have been a buzz word around HRM and across Nova Scotia for a couple of years now, but one question we keep getting asked by homeowners is How exactly does a heat pump save me money?. Heat Pumps do Not Create Heat, They Move it Most of your heating cost is associated with the areas of your home where you spend the most time. This might be your TV or recreation room, family room or den. Currently you are using either electricity or oil to create heat in these parts of your home. Unlike oil or electric baseboards, a heat pump does not create heat. Instead of creating heat, heat pumps capture small amounts of heat that already exist in the outdoor air, combines the heat and moves it into your home. 2
The process of capturing heat that already exists and moving it into your home uses up to 66% less electricity compared to running baseboard heaters. By installing one or more heat pumps to cover these areas of your home, you shift the cost of heating from burning oil or electric heaters to running your heat pump(s). How to Avoid 3 Heat Pump Installation Rip Offs! #1 Unbelievably Low Price As the old saying goes, if something is too good to be true it probably is. If you receive a quote for a new ductless heat pump install that seems unbelievably low compared to other quotes you received or what you expected it to cost, then chances are there is something wrong. What could be wrong? Well here are a few things Lower quality product Installer does not have the qualifications needed to do it properly The company/person installing it is not really running a business so they may not be able to provide support/service if/when needed It is difficult to know if you got a good deal on your heat pump until after the first winter with it. After that first winter you can compare your power bills year over year and see if you have saved money and how much. Purchasing a unit solely on price can mean lower efficiency, poor quality installation and less savings. For this reason, do not fall for the unbelievably low priced deal. Be sure to get more than one quote for a heat pump and avoid going for the lowest priced option. #2 Promise of HUGE Savings No one can guarantee how much you will save on your electric or oil bill after installing a heat pump. If a contractor is promising that you will save a certain dollar amount or exact percentage be wary. The savings you will experience are based on: Your current home heating habits and costs How you will use your heat pump and the temperature you set it at The winter weather our region will experience 3
No salesperson or contractor can know the exact answers to cost savings. If someone is promising you will save 50% or 60% or $2,000 a year be careful and be sure to evaluate the rest of their presentation closely. #3 Special Deal Available As heat pumps in our region have become more popular there has been an increase in people wanting to install them and get a piece of the growing industry. Something that has begun to pop up, especially on classified websites like Kijiji is a special deal for a specific size heat pump and brand. Example: We have (10) 12,000 BTU XYZ brand heat pumps. Only $2,000 to install. Call now to get this amazing deal. What is wrong with this deal you might ask? Well, a couple of things. 1. How do you know that a 12,000 BTU heat pump is the right size for your room/home? 2. How efficient is XYZ heat pump brand and will it save you money compared to your current home heating source? There are companies around the globe that will sell a bunch of heat pumps to just about anyone; be careful not to buy a product just because an individual or company has a stock load of a low cost unit. It is important to have your home sized by a professional to determine the right sized heat pump as well as position in your home. Improper sizing or positioning the unit can actually reduce effectiveness and in turn the savings you could experience. 5 Costly Misconceptions About Having a Heat Pump Installed #1 So, as Long as I Install a Heat Pump I am Guaranteed to Save Money on my Heating Bills? This is not necessarily true. It is important to have a professional visit and review your home's layout, current heating system as well as your current oil and/or electric bills. While all homes can improve comfort by installing a heat pump you cannot save anymore than you are currently spending to heat your home. aving ybefore making a decision on whether or not a heat pump is right for your home ensure you have an in home assessment 4
done by a Home Energy Specialist. They can determine if installing a heat pump offers you a savings benefit or if it is solely a comfort decision. #2 Heat Pumps Are Easy to Install. After All, They Are Selling Them at Hardware Stores It is true that some hardware and home improvement stores across Nova Scotia are now selling certain brands of ductless heat pumps. However, installation of these units must be completed by a Red Seal Certified Journeyman Air Conditioning & Refrigeration and electrician in order for the warranty to be valid. There is specific equipment required to ensure a ductless heat pump system is installed to code. For example, running a vacuum pump on the refrigeration system ensures optimal operation and increased lifespan. For a home owners safety and to ensure they achieve optimal performance and savings, we advise they should not take on a project such as a heat pump installation on their own. #3 If a Company Can Quote me a Heat Pump They Must be Qualified to Install it Unfortunately, some wholesalers as well as retailers will sell a heat pump to just about anyone. Whether they hold the required education and training to install a ductless heat pump safely or not does not matter. Willingness to sell to anyone means someone could come to your home and provide you with a quote to install. However, they may not have their refrigeration and air conditioning training and hours, nor are they an electrician. Always be sure to ask what trades a heat pump contractor uses to install and if they are Red Seal or not. #4 Any Honest Heat Pump Company Should be Able to Give me a Quote Over The Phone It is possible to ball park a price over the phone but a professional will want to see your home s layout, square footage and exterior as well as electrical panel before they even suggest: 1. What size heat pump will work best 2. How much it will cost to install it Purchasing the wrong sized heat pump as well as positioning it in the wrong location can mean subpar performance and reduced savings for you. 5
Always insist that a heat pump contractor send a representative to your home to ensure that your electrical panel can handle the installation, there are no obstructions on the exterior of your home for the unit and your home s layout is indeed a good fit for a system. We always provide a FREE in home assessment with one of our Home Energy Specialists prior to providing a written quote. #5 One Heat Pump Brand is Just as Good as Another Some homeowners assume that a heat pump is a heat pump and so long as they install one they will save money. This just is not true. Better quality heat pumps are able to produce more more heat at colder outdoor temperatures than lower quality units. Higher quality systems usually have the ability to move more of that heat around the inside of your home as well. While you might believe you are getting a good deal by saving $600 $1000 on the purchase and install of a heat pump there is a good chance you will end up paying that in extra home heating costs than you would have saved had you purchased the better quality unit. The 3 Deadly Secrets About Heat Pump Installers #1 Most Contractors Are Not Using Red Seal Refrigeration Technicians to Complete Installs Many air conditioning & heat pump contractors in Halifax metro and across the province are not using Red Seal Journeyman Refrigeration Technicians to complete their installations. Why? Partially it is because there are only so many technicians in the area and partially it is because of the expense of hiring qualified techs to install this equipment. The majority of heat pump brands require that a qualified Air Conditioning & Refrigeration technician complete the install for warranty to be valid. Not to mention, a qualified tech will have the specific equipment required to optimally install your new heat pump and ensure you enjoy the maximum savings and comfort possible. #2 Most Companies Selling Heat Pumps do Not Have Their Own Technicians The salesperson that comes to your home may work for the company you called for an estimate. However, there is a good chance the people who would install your heat pump do not work for that same company. They are subcontractors. 6
Subcontracting has become the norm in the heat pump industry; meaning you purchase your product from one company and they turn around and hire someone else to complete the install for them. It is expensive for a heat pump company to have their own technicians on staff, but it is truly the only way to ensure quality of workmanship and be able to guarantee their installation. #3 Some Installers Sell You What They Have Rather Than What is Best For Your Home For optimal performance and savings on your home heating bills you want to ensure you are purchasing and installing the proper sized unit for your home. Too big a unit may use too much electricity. Too small a unit may work too hard to keep the area warm Some contractors will sell you a unit that may not be the optimal size for your area based on what they have in stock or have access to. While this will not always spell disaster for you and your heating costs it is important to ask them why they are suggesting that size of heat pump for your area. In some instances, it is better to buy smaller than larger or vice versa depending on the layout and square footage of your home. Dealing with a contractor that will sell you the exact unit that is right for your home rather than what is available will offer you the biggest savings on your current home heating costs. 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Heat Pump Contractor #1 Choosing a Heat Pump Contractor Solely on The Brand They Are Selling Alone There is no question that the savings you will enjoy from installing a heat pump are directly tied to the efficiency and quality of the brand you choose to install. However, even the best brands of heat pumps will not produce great savings if they are not installed properly. Be sure to ask your heat pump contractor if they are using Red Seal Certified Journeyman Air Conditioning & Refrigeration technicians to complete their installs This will ensure that your heat pump is installed properly for maximum efficiency. #2 Selecting an Installer That Does Not Guarantee Their Work For at Least 3 Months All ductless heat pump brands offer some form of warranty on the equipment, however that warranty is only guarantee on the equipment itself. The installation is the responsibility of the contractor you hire to do the work. 7
Be sure that when hiring a heat pump contractor they guarantee their workmanship for at least 3 months and preferably a year. This will ensure that if any little mistakes were made by the original contractor will come back to your home and fix them with no additional cost to you. #3 Hiring Someone to Install Your Heat Pump That is Doing The Work On The Side " This is a guess, but I would say that at least 1/3rd of all heat pumps being installed in Nova Scotia right now are being done on the side during evenings and weekends when an installer is on their off time of regular work. Of course there is a lure to saving a few hundred bucks on your installation cost. Keep in mind that the individual doing the install on their off time could very well be working at their regular job when you need them to service the unit should anything go wrong. Not to mention there is always chance they will not be available at all for any warranty or annual service work in the years to come. #4 Choosing a Heat Pump Contractor Solely on Price When installing a heat pump in your home, you do not know how good of a deal you got until after your first winter. Why? Because that is when you can tell what your savings were compared to your previous years electric or oil costs. Just because one Heat Pump contractor has the lowest price doesn t meant that they are selling you: A. The right sized unit for your home B. The best product your home C. Will do the best installation job on the unit D. Will be available for years to come for service or warranty work if required Always evaluate the price, product specs, salesperson, and installer credentials. Then make your final decision based on all of this data. Choosing based on price alone can actually hurt you more than help. #5 Not Asking The Company For Testimonials of Past Happy Customers We have all bought something and felt like we did not get the expected value out of it after the fact. When we are shopping online it is easy to read other customer reviews on websites like Amazon or Best Buy. However, when we are dealing with home contractors it is not that easy. 8
It is always a good idea to ask the heat pump contractors you are considering for testimonials from past happy customers. Reading what other home owners have to say about a business is always better than just taking a salesperson s word for it. 4 Questions to Ask ANY Contractor Before They Install a Heat Pump in Your Home #1 Ask Them Why They Are Recommending a Particular Size And Location of Install The size and location of a ductless heat pump should be based on the overall square footage of the room/floor the unit is being installed in as well as the layout ( e.g. wide, narrow, hallway etc. ) If a heat pump contractor is suggesting you install an 18,000 BTU unit in a 600 sq.ft room they should be able to explain their rationale behind it. It is important that a heat pump is not oversized. A unit that is too large for an area will cycle (turn on and off) too frequently. This will hurt your overall savings. In contrast, a unit that is too small for a particular area will have to work too hard to keep the area at a comfortable temperature. #2 Ask if They Use Their Own Technicians, And Are They Red Seal Certified There are lots of companies selling heat pumps around Halifax Metro and across the province. However, not all of these companies have their own air conditioning & refrigeration technicians. Rather than having their own install teams they subcontract the installation to a 3rd party company or individual. This means that while the subcontractor may be available for the install they are not always readily available for any follow up questions, service work or installation deficiency repairs. Hiring a heat pump contractor that has their own staff of air conditioning & refrigeration technicians generally means they can be more flexible when booking initial installation appointments and quickly respond to questions and issues that could arise after install. The second part is ensuring there is a Red Seal certified technicians on each job site ensures that your new ductless split heat pump will be installed according to labour code in Nova Scotia. Some businesses do not use qualified technicians to complete their installs so be sure to ask. 9
#3 Ask, do They Have Testimonials From Past Happy Customers I Can Look at Before a new employer hires you they always want to check your references. Why? To ensure all the great stuff you say about yourself is true. So why should you not do the same with a company you are about to hire to do work on your home. Testimonials from past home owners a contractor has dealt with is the equivalent of our references we might give a new potential employer. If a company does not have any recent testimonials, or they only have one or two it might be worth asking them why. Worse, if a heat pump contractor has no testimonials then you may not want to take the chance hiring them. #4 Ask How Long They Guarantee Their Installation And Who You Call For Warranty Repairs And Service if Ever Required The sales and installation of a heat pump is only the beginning of a relationship between you and your heat pump contractor. There is a chance you will have questions about operation and possibly even small service issues over the lifespan of your system. Knowing that the contractor you choose offers a one year guarantee on their installation workmanship and has a service coordinator on staff is peace of mind that they will be there for you after the sale. Always be sure to ask your salesperson what their workmanship guarantee is and how they handle their service and warranty issues after the sale. They should have a system in place that is easy for you to follow should you ever need to contact someone about service or warranty issues. We want to thank you for taking the time to read this guide. If you would like to learn more about whether a ductless heat pump system is right for your home then we invite you to call us. We ll be happy to answer your questions and provide you with a FREE in home assessment by a Home Energy Specialist without any obligation. To reach us, call (902) 701 9935 or you can request your assessment online at www.heatpumpassessment.ca. www.sunshinerenewables.ca www.heatpumpshalifax.ca email: assessment@sunshinerenewables.ca phone: (902) 701 9935 10
What some of our customers from the past year have to say about us: Just for your information our first real power bill since installation of heat pump and ETS shows a reduction from $496.17 last year to $329.95 for the same period this year. What is significant is that we were warmer and used the lower level much more than last year. Allan L. Dartmouth Installation of Heat Pump & ETS system. Has electric baseboard heaters. We gathered quotes from 3 companies and Richard seemed to be the most knowledgeable at what we were looking for. The other 2 companies came in with quotes that were thousands of dollars higher as they were looking to install an additional 3 units for our bedrooms on the upper level of our home. After discussing this with Richard he explained that if we were looking for cost savings that not installing units in the upstairs bedroom area was the best "bang for our buck" at this point. He also had suggestions on additional ways we can maximize our energy savings in the years to come. I appreciated his honesty and it was easy to tell he was looking out for us and our needs...not just to make money! Stefanie S. Hammonds Plains Installation of Heat Pump. Has oil hot water baseboard heating. For the first time in the 10 years I have lived in my house, I have been as warm as toast. Very rarely do I set the temperature above 18 because the heat pump heat is a lot warmer than oil hot water heat. My thermostat registers 20 even though the heat pump says 18!!!!!!!! I received my first NSP bill last week (October November) and my bill was only slightly above the amount for the SAME time last year. I am a very HAPPY gal!! Thank you Sunshine Erica M, Halifax Installation of Heat Pump & Hot Water tank. Has oil hot water baseboard heating. I was amazed by the small army of workers and technicians who arrived on time ready and raring to work. All were courteous, professional and efficient. All the work was completed with exceptional care and within the time frame promised. I was also provided with an overview of the workings of both the ductless heat pump and hot water tank. I was especially impressed on how much thought the installer put into the installation of the hardware on the side of the house. The installation was flawless and pleasing to the eye. Dan D. Timberlea Installation of Heat Pump & Hot Water tank. Has oil hot water baseboard heating. 11