3.5 Ton Heat Pump Systems

Wholesale Heat Pump Systems Buying Guide

For starters, heat pumps essentially move hot air around to suit each season of operation. So, in the summer, a heat pump works to remove the hot air from your home and, in the winter, works to take whatever warm air is present outside and bring it into your home. Technically speaking, a heat pump is a mechanical compression cycle refrigeration system that can be used to either heat or cool a space. 

It’s likely that you have chosen a heat pump to cool and warm your home because a heat pump tends to be more energy-efficient and kinder to the environment. The only downside exists in colder climates, where a heat pump likely won’t be able to perform the same duties as a furnace. So, in most cases, we recommend that only those living in milder or warmer invest in a heat pump versus in a system with an air conditioner and gas furnace.

You have chosen a 3.5-ton heat pump, meaning that the space in which you intend to heat or cool is 1,750-2,000 square feet. If you’re looking to equip your heat pump with the ability to heat your space as well, you should also look into purchasing a heat kit to go with the heat pump. If you live in a milder climate, go with a 10 kW heat kit, and if you live in a colder climate, be sure to purchase a 15 or 20 kW heat kit.

Air handlers are paired with heat pumps to facilitate the distribution of airflow throughout a space. Multi-position air handlers can be installed in various configurations in your home, wall-mounted air handlers fit homes where height is an issue, and ceiling-mounted air handlers are smaller and use a coil to move refrigerant instead of ductwork. 

Further, as you continue to browse our selection of heat pump systems, you will see that you have the option to choose between a “standard efficiency SEER” or a “high efficiency SEER” air handler system. On our site, “standard efficiency” stands for air handler systems that are 13 and 14 SEER and “high efficiency” air handler systems are those that are 15 and 16 SEER.

The evaporator coil is located inside of the air handler and holds the chilled refrigerant that the compressor eventually moves into and helps remove the heat from your home in the summer and conserves the heat of your home in the winter. You can choose between cased and uncased coils on our site. 

When you pair an air handler with a gas furnace, you are relying on the heat pump to cool your home during the warmer months and on the gas furnace to heat your home in the remaining months. Here is how to find the proper tonnage for your gas furnace:

Warmest climates: 30-35 BTUs per square foot

Warm climates: 35-40 BTUs per square foot

Mild climates: 40-45 BTUs per square foot

Cold climates: 45-50 BTUs per square foot

Coldest climates: 50-60 BTUs per square foot

You also have the option to choose between a “standard efficiency” gas furnace system or a “high efficiency” gas furnace system. On our site, “standard efficiency” stands for gas furnace systems that are 80% efficient and “high efficiency” gas furnace systems are those that are 92% efficiency or higher. 

Disclaimer: Before making a purchase, you should always check first with your qualified installer to figure out what unit is best for your home or space.