British Columbia Cold Climate Heat Pump Field Study

Heat pump performance ratings are based on test procedures that generally test the equipment in a laboratory under steady-state conditions. These operating conditions rarely occur in the real world and because there is limited research on how this equipment functions in service, it is difficult to understand their true efficiency at partial loads and throughout the year. This study provides a better indication of the real-world efficiency and the resulting energy reduction and potential cost savings of air-source heat pump retrofits in existing homes in cold and moderate regions of British Columbia.
The main outcomes of this study were to develop a clearer understanding of the performance of cold climate air-to-air heat pumps in Canadian climates; to evaluate design and installation considerations that may affect this performance, and to identify design and installation best practices that positively affect the performance of heat pump systems. The information gathered in this study will inform the development of heat pump testing and rating procedures.
Twenty-six ductless mini split and central heat pump systems were monitored at twenty-four distinct single-family residential sites on Vancouver Island and in the interior of British Columbia. In-situ measurements of key heat pump system parameters and corresponding outdoor environment conditions were collected for each site over a one-year monitoring period. Pertinent installation information and observations were also recorded at the time of monitoring instrumentation.