Like peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, and cookies and milk, some things just make sense together. Another (non-food) duo we’d add to the list: home electrification upgrades and solar energy. But which is better – a heat pump or solar panels?
Continue reading “Heat Pump Before Solar Panels: Why It’s the Smart Choice”
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 “The Ultimate Test – Do Heat Pumps Work in Colorado’s Cold Temperatures?”
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!