Your heat pump system consists of two primary components: an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The outdoor unit houses the compressor and condenser, typically placed on a concrete pad next to your home’s exterior for easy airflow exchange. The indoor unit, known as the air handler, is commonly installed in your basement, attic, or a dedicated utility closet. These units are connected by refrigerant lines and electrical wiring, working together seamlessly to heat and cool your home.
Where to Find Your Heat Pump
Heat pumps usually have two main units:
- Outdoor Unit (Condenser/Compressor): Placed on a concrete pad next to your home’s exterior wall, ensuring sufficient clearance for airflow.
- Indoor Unit (Air Handler): Installed in basements, attics, or utility closets, distributing heated or cooled air throughout your living space.
These components are connected via refrigerant lines and wiring, typically running through your home’s exterior walls.
Locating Your Heat Pump Easily
Finding your heat pump is straightforward:
- Outside: Look for a large metal box with a fan on top, placed on a concrete pad near your home’s exterior.
- Inside: Follow ductwork or check common locations like basements, attics, or utility closets to find the air handler.
Reviewing your home’s mechanical drawings or previous inspection reports can also assist in locating these units.
Inside the House: What The Heat Pump Looks Like
The indoor unit resembles a large, rectangular metal cabinet, usually mounted on a wall or housed in a closet-like area. Key components include:
- Air Handler: Moves conditioned air throughout your home.
- Evaporator Coil: Facilitates heat transfer; located behind the front panel.
- Air Filter: Removes particles; accessible through the front panel.
- Condensate Drain Line: Removes moisture during cooling.
Outside the House: Heat Pump Appearance
The outdoor heat pump unit is a robust metal cabinet about 2-3 feet tall and wide, sitting on a concrete pad or bracket near your home’s exterior. Key features include:
- Large Top Fan: Draws air through surrounding metal fins.
- Copper Lines: Connects outdoor and indoor units.
- Compressor and Refrigerant Coils: Essential for transferring heat between indoors and outdoors.
Engineered for durability, this unit withstands various weather conditions to ensure year-round efficiency.
Identifying Heat Pump vs. Furnace
Distinguishing between a heat pump and a furnace involves observing operational differences:
- Year-Round Operation: Heat pumps heat and cool; furnaces operate only in cold weather.
- Outdoor Activity in Winter: Outdoor heat pump units run during winter; furnaces do not.
- Emergency Heat Setting: Present only in heat pump systems.
- Flue or Chimney: Furnaces require exhaust vents; heat pumps do not.
- Air Temperature: Heat pumps deliver moderate warmth; furnaces provide intense heat.
- Defrost Cycles: Heat pumps reverse operation periodically to prevent ice accumulation.
