Homeowners that are looking at HVAC upgrades may find the variety of options just staggering, and when looking for the right option to keep the home’s temperature steady, many look at heat pumps. However, when it comes to optimal installations, many people end up wondering: Can a heat pump be installed indoors?
While the conventional installation for a heat pump has the unit located outdoors, there is the possibility of installing one indoors, with the appropriate considerations and expectations. We’re going to look at how feasible indoor heat pump installations are, the benefits they may provide, and any drawbacks that you might need to think about.
Benefits of Indoor Heat Pump Installation
Despite indoor heat pump installations not being the most popular choice, they do have some significant benefits that must be considered. Here are the top 3 benefits of installing your heat pump indoors:
- Reduced Exposure To The Elements: By installing the heat pump indoors, you automatically protect it from potentially hard weather conditions and temperature extremes. This can help prolong the heat pump’s life.
- Improved Security: An indoor heat pump is far less at risk for vandalism or theft. This additional security can give you more peace of mind.
- Noise Reduction: Indoor installations help lower the noise produced by heat pumps. This helps you create a more peaceful living environment for yourself and your family.
Potential Drawbacks of Indoor Heat Pump Installation
Even with these benefits, there are reasons that outdoor installations are more popular. Here are the top 3 biggest potential drawbacks to installing your heat pump in the home:
- Space Adjustments: Indoor heat pump installations demand more space within your home. You’ll need to designate not only a space for the heat pump itself, but also accessibility for maintenance and repairs, and allowances for proper ventilation.
- Ventilation Requirements: Heat pumps operate by exchanging the heat with the outside, ambient air. This means adequate ventilation is critical to the heat pump’s operation. Installing a heat pump indoors can require installing additional venting or ductwork to be routed to the interior of the home from the exterior. This increases installation complexity even more, which leads to higher costs.
- Higher Installation Costs: In general, installing a heat pump indoors will be far more expensive than having the same unit installed in an outdoor location. This is because an indoor installation requires extensive spatial planning and often extensive modifications to the home’s interior and exterior. This all adds to the labor time and project complexity, which increases the overall cost of the project.
Are Heat Pumps Installed Outside More Often Than Inside?
It’s possible to install a heat pump indoors, though the most common installation location is outside. Outdoor heat pump installations allow much greater access to ambient air, which heat pumps rely on to operate efficiently. Outdoor installations also tend to be much less complicated, resulting in fewer modifications to the home. However, outdoor heat pump installations are more susceptible to wear and tear from the elements and weather.
Work With a Professional Like Emory for Optimal Results
As you can see, while it’s possible to install a heat pump indoors, it does come with some unique considerations, as well as some potential drawbacks that can be relatively significant. To make the most informed decision possible concerning your specific home, it’s essential to consult with a trusted local HVAC installer like Emory. Our team of experts is ready to discuss the details of your project and come up with a solution that helps you reach your HVAC system goals. Reach out today for more information or to get started with your consultation.