We hear it all the time: “heat pumps don’t work in the winter.” To that we say: “No, heat pumps used to not work very well in the winter. Now, heat pumps work in the arctic blast of Colorado and beyond!” Heat pump technology has come a LONG way in the past decade, rendering this belief no more than a myth.
Continue reading “Heat Pumps Held Their Own During Arctic Blast in Colorado”
We helped our customers, Jon and Rachel, to electrify everything in their townhome without upgrading their standard 100 amp service panel. The solution helped them to stay on budget, and avoid major logistical hassles. We recently interviewed them about their experience with our home electrification service.
Continue reading “Home Electrification Solutions – A Success Story”
Here at Elephant Energy, we consider ourselves cold-weather heat pump experts. Our small-but-mighty Boulder-Denver based team has installed the best cold climate heat pumps in hundreds of homes in Colorado and Massachusetts. With our customers encountering some of the coldest temperatures in the U.S., our installs have proven that heat pumps work (really well!) in cold climates. Plus, heat pumps are the most sustainable, cost-effective, comfortable way to heat and cool your home. That’s why we’re sharing our Ultimate Guide to Cold Climate Heat Pumps with everything you need to know about this awesome technology. Especially if you are considering upgrading your own home to include one.
Continue reading “Ultimate Guide to Cold Climate, Air Source Heat Pumps”
We installed our second electric Heat Pump in Boulder, CO to help a customer solve their home comfort issues! Huzzah! Did you know that we can install smaller mini split heat pumps too?
Here’s the finished outdoor condenser. For this project, we went with a 3 ton Bosch system rated for cold weather.
And here’s the air handler downstairs in the crawlspace
TL;DR: Heat Pump installations are complex and customized. Find great, experienced contractors who know what they’re doing and run a great process to ensure good design, safety, and success. It makes a HUGE difference.
#1 Plan early & design thoughtfully! A “Heat Pump” is more than just a condenser + air handler. You likely also need refrigerant lines, refrigerant, a compatible thermostat/wiring, 240V electrical circuits, condensate pumps/drains, pipe insulation, risers, mounts, and more.
Connecting the ducts takes some real skill – building airtight connections that are built to last
When in doubt, “RTFM”! = Read the Freaking Manual. Each manufacturer is a bit different and thus each install takes a bit of on-site customization and problem solving.
#2 A good installation and commissioning process catches oversights (and mistakes, like a missing thermostat wire). A good contractor will have a lengthy commissioning document to ensure the installation has been done right and the system is functioning appropriately.
3rd: Go above and beyond customer expectations.
Demolition (though fun) produces a lot of debris: old duct work, screws, wire insulation, dirty condensate water, the furnace itself, flues, cardboard boxes, etc. Leaving the customer home cleaning than you found it is an A+ – and almost no one gets an A+. Cleaning up takes time but is a must for a great customer experience.
But it is all worth it to help customers with home comfort, improve their lives and air quality, and make an impact on the environment. That’s one more gas furnace replaced with an electric heat pump!!!
Are you in need of upgrading you home’s heating and cooling / air conditioning system? Get in touch to see if a heat pump or mini split heat pump will work for you (hint: they work for everyone!). Elephant Energy specializes in modernizing homes with the latest, greatest, energy-efficient technology. We upgrade homes to maximize home comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency, with heat pumps, mini-splits, induction ranges, EV chargers, and air filtration.
Contact us to learn more about your heat pump installation today!
A ductless mini split air conditioner heat pump may be the perfect, energy-efficient solution, even in cold climates like Boulder! We recently installed a mini-spit for one of our customers to take her new addition from the worst room in the house to the best.
We installed a mini-split for the amazing @KatieS in her guest room. Turns out, the previous owners added on the room, but without any ducting…no heat or A/C?! Perfect application for a mini-split! Efficient heating & cooling all in one plus many home comfort benefits.
Mini-splits are awesome: Sized for the exact heating and cooling load of the room, they blend into the background and create a cozy, quiet, and controllable room. Precise temperature control where there was none before. Super energy-efficient technology that even works when it’s -10°F out .
Superior control and comfort: They are super flexible to fit your needs: Multiple operating modes, fan speeds, and airflow directions so you can dial in comfort! Plus a built-in sensor scans the room to determine the optimal heating/cooling strategy based on the size, occupancy, temperature, and movement.
They improve air quality (and health): How? Mini split air conditioner have multi-stage filtration (Nano Platinum + Deodorizing + Electrostatic Anti-Allergy) to reduce odors, dust, bacteria, viruses, pollen, allergens, and other particulates. You can add HEPA filters for even cleaner air.
Straight forward installation: Run an electrical circuit to the outdoor heat pump ‘condenser’ (we used a cold-climate unit from @MitsubishiHVAC ). Mount the unit above the snow line. Connect the refrigerant ‘lines’ and electrical to the indoor unit. Finally, install the interior ‘head’ in an aesthetically-pleasing and functional location.
Rebates: We helpe d the customer maximize various incentives, rebates, and credits from federal, local (@bouldercolorado & @bouldercounty), and electric utility (@XcelEnergyCO) providers. $1,600 for this project alone! Colorado’s @EnergySmartYES provides a great service for helping homeowners access rebates!
Voila! You now have a new ‘most comfortable room in the house’ fully controllable with a remote control or an app from the comfort of your bed.
Get in touch if we can help you solve heating, cooling, comfort, or air quality challenges in your home!