Advantages of Amana heat pumps
Amana heat pumps have a lot of advantages for customers. They provide consistent heating and cooling for living spaces. Whether you require heating and cooling for your home, restaurant, hotel, or other business, Amana heat pumps can fit your needs.
Not only do these heat pumps and air conditions provide consistent climate control, but they are designed to be quiet and environmentally friendly. No one wants to have to speak over a noisy HVAC system or have their heating and air conditioner, keeping them up at night. Also, when we are trying to do all we can to slow down climate change, having an energy-efficient system is more important than ever. Amana heat pumps not only have their customers in mind but our environment as well. When it comes to durability, these units are also quite impressive.
How to find the best Amana heat pump?
When choosing the best Amana heat pump for you, there are several factors you need to consider. You need to check the BTU rating, which shows how much energy the unit uses to heat and cool the air. Pay attention to the EER and COP ratings to determine how energy-efficient the unit is. Don’t forget to look at the voltage the unit will require. Dimensions are important to make sure the unit will fit in the designated space, and also some aspects affect the convenience and ease of use. A final factor to consider is the warranty that comes with the unit.
BTU rating
BTU stands for British Thermal Units and is a measure of energy consumption. This measurement refers to the amount of energy needed to warm a pound of water by 1°F. A heat pump with a higher BTU rating will be more powerful and will use more energy. Higher BTU air conditioners and heat pumps will also be bigger and heavier, and usually more expensive. If you have a high BTU unit in a smaller space, it will cycle off quickly, which will waste energy and not properly dehumidify the space.
For smaller spaces such as hotel rooms or studio apartments, it is best to have a unit between 12,000-15,000 BTUs.
Keep in mind the area that you will be placing your heat pump and air conditioner. While you may think more power is better, you can end up wasting energy and money with a system that is not too powerful. Also, if you have a larger space, you may want a unit in the 17,000 BTU range, such as the Amana 17,000 BTU Air Conditioner with Heater, so that it has enough power to properly cool and heat the whole area.
Heat strip
The heat strip is a component that works with the heat pump. The heat pump detects when the temperature reaches a certain threshold, usually around 35°F. At that point, the heat strip kicks in, which are coils that use electricity to produce heat. The air then flows over these heated coils and warms the air in the room. With the heat strip, you will want one that will not use too much energy when heating the air. The Amana heat strips use about 3.5 kW of power, which is very energy-efficient for customers.
EER and COP ratings
One of the most important factors with air conditioners and heat pumps is how much energy the unit will consume when running. With that, you want to consider two types of ratings, EER and COP. An EER (Energy-efficiency Rating) is determined by dividing the BTUs by the wattage. For example, a 12,000 BTU unit that uses 1,200 watts will receive a rating of 10. The higher the EER, the more energy-efficient the unit is. The Amana units rate between 9.5-11.7, with the Amana 12,000 BTU PTH123G having the best ratio between power and efficiency.
The COP rating (Coefficient of Performance) is very similar to EER. It measures how much more efficient a heat pump is to electric-resistant heat with an efficiency of 100%. Most heat pumps range from 2.5-4 on this scale. Higher the number, the more efficient the heat pump is. Amara heat pumps score between 3-3.5 on the COP scale, such as seen with the Amana DigiSmart PTH093G.
Voltage
The voltage of heat pumps usually falls within a certain range. Most heat pumps require a 240V outlet to operate efficiently. These units provide a high range of voltage when in operation, which can show how much power is being consumed by the unit. It is also important to keep in mind when servicing these units that a certain amount of caution should be practiced. Amana heat pumps require between 208V-230V.
Fan speeds and modes
Different models of heat pumps and air conditioners have multiple speeds and modes. Most units will have at least 2 settings, high and low, but some may have other settings. You can come across several modes that allow for customer settings. It is important to consider your setting options when choosing a heat pump. If you want a lot of options, the Amana 17,000 BTU Air Conditioner with Heater provides seven modes. For some people, this is more than needed, so you may be more comfortable with a unit with fewer options.
Remote control
Another factor to keep in mind is if the Amana heat pump comes with remote control. While remote control is not a dealbreaker for most, it is nice to have. Depending on how large the space you are using the unit in, not having to walk to adjust the unit is a great advantage. They can also be convenient if you are using multiple units in a hotel/motel setting. While not all Amana units come with remote control, you can usually buy one separately. If you go for the Amana 12,000 BTU Through-The-Wall Air Conditioner with Heat Pump, you will have one already included in the package.
Noise rating
The noise is an important factor when picking an air-conditioner and heat pump unit. No one wants a unit that is going to be noisy and keep them awake or distract them from activities. You want to pay attention to the decibel level of the unit. Most Amana air conditioners and heat pumps run at about 25 decibels, including the Amana 12,000 BTU PTH123G, which is slightly louder than a whisper. Other units may go up to 55 decibels, which is slightly louder than the humming of a normal refrigerator. Any unit falling between the 25-55 decibel range is ideal for a relatively quiet running heat pump.
Dimensions
When choosing the Amana heat pump and air conditioner, you also need to look at the unit’s size. Measure the space you will be placing the PTAC unit in to ensure you have the correct size. Most of the Amana PTAC units fit the standard sleeve size of 42” x 16-1/16” x 14-1/8”. There may be some slight variance, so you may need to use spacers to ensure a snug fit.
Some units, such as the Amana 12,000 BTU Through-The-Wall Air Conditioner with Heat Pump, might be smaller in their dimensions, 15-5/8” x 26” x 16-7/8”, meaning you may need to make adjustments to the wall sleeve to ensure that it fits properly. It is important to take proper measurements of the space you will be placing the unit in to ensure you have the correct amount of space for the unit.
Warranty
As with just about any appliance, air conditioners and heat pumps can wear down over time. They may need service or replacement, and it is important to know what type of warranty you are getting.
Most Amana units come with a 5-year parts warranty and a 1-year replacement warranty. If the whole unit goes bad within a year of purchase, you will be able to get a replacement for free.
Also, during the first five years, you can get parts for the unit to replace yourself or have the unit serviced.
