Q: How come I've never heard of a heat pump?
A: Believe it or not, heat pumps have been the dominant heating source in the Southern United States for years. This is due to their proven operating efficiencies and relatively low maintenance requirements. Until now, heat pumps have not been designed for use where temperatures fall below 30°F. Historically, heat pumps were designed primarily as an air conditioner with a secondary function of heating. Hallowell International has designed the Acadia™ specifically for heating, allowing for operation at temperatures well below 30°F while still efficiently providing the needed cooling output during the warm summer months.
Q: I’ve always heard that heat pumps don’t work in colder climates. Is that true?
A: That is true. A typical air source heat pump cannot maintain the needed heat output to keep your home comfortable when temperatures fall below 30°F. However, the Acadia™ can. Using our patented Opti-Cycle™ Technology, the Acadia™ can maintain efficient comfort at outdoor temperatures as low as -30°F.
Q: Aren’t heat pumps expensive to run in cold climates? Don’t you need a backup system?
A: They have been until now. Typical heat pumps lose their ability to produce heat between 30°- 45° and they subsequently require some sort of a backup heat source to maintain comfortable conditions within the home. This backup source is usually in the form of electrical resistance heat or a fossil fuel system. The Acadia™ does not require this backup and can continue to heat using the efficient Opti-Cycle™ Technology, an ability unknown to traditional air source heat pumps.
Q: How does the Acadia™ differ from ordinary heat pumps?
A: Typical air source heat pumps rely on inefficient and expensive backup heating systems when the temperature falls below freezing. Rather than using these inefficient forms of backup heat, the Acadia™ uses an efficient process to continue the operation of the heating cycle. The patented Opti-Cycle™ Technology boosts operating efficiency and keeps your home comfortable, even in very cold outdoor conditions.
Q: Isn’t the refrigerant in heat pumps and air conditioners harmful to the environment?
A: The Acadia™ uses R410A, an environmentally friendly refrigerant that does not contain any ozone depleting CFCs. For many years, the standard refrigerant in heat pumps and air conditioners was R22. R22 is currently being phased out and being replaced with more environmentally conscious refrigerants such as R410A.
Q: Isn’t electric heat expensive?
A: Straight resistance heat is very expensive; however our system uses electricity much more efficiently. Using electricity to power a heat pump cycle is 300% to 400% efficient compared to straight resistance heat which is 100% efficient.
Q: Does the Acadia™ require trenching or digging in order to achieve these efficiencies?
A: No. The Acadia™ is designed as an air source heat pump and the installation is very similar to that of a typical air source heat pump. It is much less expensive to install an Acadia™ than it is to install a geothermal type heat pump. Please see the Acadia™ vs. Geothermal Heat Pump section of our website for more comparisons between these to systems.
Q: What equipment is included in the Acadia™ system?
A: The Acadia™ includes an outdoor condensing unit (similar to an outdoor air conditioning unit), an indoor air handler and multi-stage thermostat. Each component is selected to optimize comfort and efficiency.
Q: Can this system be zoned?
A: Yes. A multi-stage zone control system will be required and your HVAC contractor can make sure that the right equipment is installed. Please speak with your HVAC contractor for more information about zone controls.
Q: How do I get repair parts?
A: By contacting your local HVAC contractor. Most components are available at their local HVAC supply house. The Acadia™ system has been designed to use industry standard components that are readily available at thousands of HVAC supply houses throughout the country. This means that if there is some sort of problem with the system, your Hallowell dealer will have access to repair parts. For more information, ask your local HVAC contractor.
Q: What kinds of rebates or incentives are available in my state/town/district?
A: On our website under the Energy Links & Resources there is a link to a database of state incentives for renewable energy. This site also contains information about federal incentives. Your local power company may also offer rebates. Please contact them for more information.
Q: What are the official efficiency ratings for the Acadia™?
A: Our units were tested at ETL in September of 2006. The results are as follows:
Model 42C/46H
SEER: 13.6, HSPF: 9.7
Model 36C/35H
SEER: 14.0, HSPF: 9.5
Q: Can your system be used with a radiant floor or hot water base board system?
A: Unfortunately, the Acadia™ is not currently designed to support a hot water system. The best way to take full advantage of the Acadia's™ heating and cooling capabilities is by installing a ducted system.
Q: How do I purchase an Acadia™?
A: The Acadia™ can be purchased through your local HVAC contractor. Any HVAC dealer you see in your local Yellow Pages will most likely be qualified to install an Acadia™. If you need help locating a qualified HVAC contractor, please Contact Us.
