Are there rebates available for solar electricity systems?

Unfortunately it has been some years since Maine has offered rebates for solar arrays. However, the Federal Tax Credit of 26% is still available in 2020.  Please consult your tax advisor to determine if you are eligible to take advantage of the federal tax credit. 

How Large is the Outdoor Unit?

The size of the outdoor unit varies by the size (BTU rating) of the outdoor unit, and the brand. In general, a Fujitsu single unit is about 34" wide and 24 1/2" high, and a Mitsubishi single unit is about 33" wide and about  34 1/2" high. A Fujitsu multi outdoor unit is generally between 35 1/2" and 38 1/4" wide, and 28" and 39 1/2" high; a Mitsubishi multi outdoor unit is generally between 37 1/2" and 41 1/2" wide, and between 41 1/4" and 53" high. Ask your designer for the specific dimensions of your particular unit if this is important to you. 

What Heat Pump brands does Goggin Energy sell?

Unlike many of our competitors, we source several brands. That is because your situation might require a certain solution, and one of those brands might be better for that solution. We currently sell Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, and Daikin, as we believe that those brands offer the best combination of output and low heat temperatures. More brands are hopping on the heat pump brand wagon and we evaluate those as they come out.

What do you mean by a "single" heat pump? A "multi" heat pump?

A single heat pump means that you have a "single" system: one outdoor unit paired with one indoor unit. You can have more than one "single" heat pumps. A "multi" heat pump means one outdoor unit connected to more than one indoor heat pump. You can have multiple "multi" units, multiple "single" units, and of course a combination of "single" and "multi" heat pumps. 

Do Heat Pumps stop working when it gets cold?

Most of the heat pumps that we sell put out 100% of their capacity at +5F, and are rated to to -15F. Every heat pump has a "low temperature" rating.  The heat pump won't actually stop working at this temperature, but the amount of heat put out below this goes down significantly and the amount of electricity needed to run the heat pump goes up, so for all practical purposes assume that they don't work below this temperature. 

Do I need a backup heat source when using a heat pump?

This depends on how the heat pump system is designed, and the needs of your house. Many new homes are putting in only heat pumps, with no backup systems. Some people install heat pumps as supplemental heat only. It's not a bad idea to have a backup system, but we can discuss your specific needs during our site visit.

What size heat pump do I need?

This can vary significantly depending on the characteristics of the space. One of our designers will do a heat load and cooling load calculation, which is used to determine what size unit is appropriate.

Are Heat Pumps Noisy?`

Heat pumps are very quiet. Noise is measured in decibels (db). Most indoor units operate between 22 and 40 db. Most outdoor units operate between 47 and 57 db. To put this in context, a whisper is ~ 30 db; a running refrigerator is ~ 50 db.

Can I install one outdoor unit now and add another unit later?

Yes, but there are some limitations. Multis require at least two connected indoor units of specific size in order to function. So, within allowable size ranges, you can start with two indoor units and add more later to the same outdoor unit. If you want to start with just 1 indoor unit, you will need to install a single system, and add a new outdoor unit for any future additions.

What kind of maintenance do I need to do?

The only maintenance required of the homeowner is to check the filters regularly. Consult your owners' manual for the instruction on changing filters. We do recommend having your heat pump system checked annually for leaks and to clean the outside unit.

Can I paint the Linehide?

Yes. As with anything that is painted, upkeep will be required. The default color for linehide is white. For an additional cost, you can also get the linehide in Ivory, Gray, or Brown. 

Can a heat pump be moved?`

Yes, but only by a technician. The refrigerant needs to be recaptured from the system before anything can be moved.

What do HSPF, COP, and SEER Mean?

HSPF = Heating Season Performance Factor. This is a term used to measure the efficiency of air source heat pumps.  The efficiency is measured over an average heating season. HSPF is a ratio of BTU heat output to watt hours of electricity used. It has units of BTU/watt-hour.  The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit.

SEER = Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This is a measure of a heat pump's efficiency over an average cooling season, using cooling output in BTUs compared to electricity consumed in watt-hours.

COP = Coefficient of Performance. This is the ratio of cooling or heating output to energy consumed at a specific temperature. This ratio converts both output and consumption to a common unit, making this different than HSPF or SEER which use a ratio of BTUs to watt-hours. The higher the COP, the better. 

What happens when the power goes out?

As an electrical appliance, the heat pump will not work in a power outage unless you have a generator or home battery system. When the power comes back on, heat pumps restart to the mode they were in before the outage.

How do I sign into my client hub?
How do I sign into my client hub?
Can I paint the outdoor unit? The indoor unit?

We do NOT recommend painting either an outdoor or an indoor unit, as it can void the warranty, damage the coils, fans, electronics, etc.

Why is water coming out of the drain outside my house?

In air conditioning mode, the indoor unit is attracting moisture from the air ("condensate") and it is sending that condensation outside via a condensate line. If you see water dripping from the condensate line outside your home, then your unit is in air conditioning mode and is working normally. 

In heating mode, the outdoor unit is generating condensate; that condensate simply drips from the outside unit. 

Still have questions about solar energy or heat pump installation?

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207-772-7557

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