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Part of becoming more energy efficient means looking for your own ways to improve the efficiency and functionality of your condo. As condo owners look for ways to improve the efficiency and comfort of their unit, heat pumps have become a great solution to heat and cool their home. While it is increasingly popular for new builders to provide them, not all condo associations allow them. Each condo unit must be entirely self-sufficient, with its own electrical panel, patio space, and exterior wall for a heat pump to be successful in a condo application. 

For most households, heating and cooling are the biggest electrical expenses. When it comes to controlling your power bill, better energy efficiency and using less power for unnecessary purposes will reduce the amount of heating or cooling your home requires. 

One of the best ways to improve the energy and heating/cooling efficiency of your condo is a heat pump. But can you install a heat pump unit in your condo? It depends on your condo’s bylaws.  

Your Control Over the Condo Unit

The first thing to check is just how much of your condo you have personal control over. For most condo buildings, you control the entire interior of your unit. This is referred to as “to the walls’ ownership that allows you to hang paintings, or add shelves using nails but does not allow you to tear down walls or affect utilities that might impact other tenants.   

If you are looking to complete a major renovation to include in wall access, any other unit affected would need to agree to your plans, as well as the condo association. The good news is that a ductless heat pump unit doesn’t require you to open the walls or ceiling to install. Heat Pump installations do require “to the walls” ownership, and approval must be granted to drill a hole “through the envelope”.  With the right structure, you can provide your home with efficient heating and cooling without violating the terms of your condo agreement.

Approved Appliances and Installations

Many condo associations already have a set of policies available when it comes to installing new appliances – or replacing essential systems like your HVAC (Heating Ventilation, Air Conditioning) unit. Investigate your bylaws or ask your condo association to help you find any clause that relates to appliance installation. You may find that heat pump systems are already permitted or can easily be permitted based on a few registration criteria.

You may need to register your renovation or installation with the condo association or apply for a renovation permit – depending on the policies of the building. However, if there are previous clauses in place, these can often be used as a set of guidelines to ensure that your plans fit neatly into what is currently permitted by your condo association.

Getting Approval for a New Indoor-Outdoor Heat Pump 

So how do you get approval for your condo heat pump? You will likely need to file an application or get written approval of the heat pump installation in your building. An official request will include reasons to install the heat pump, approximately where the heat pump will be installed, and the predicted dates of the installation. This allows the condo association to plan and make sure that all home improvement plans are beneficial – or at least not harmful – to the other condo owners.

If you’re not sure where to start, arrange a meeting with your condo association and ask what they require for approval. Contractors familiar with working with condo owners and condo buildings will have an idea of what is required of them, including business license, proof of insurance, and a Workplace BC authorization letter.

Where Do You Install a Heat Pump in a Condo?

There are 2 components to a heat pump. The outdoor unit, and the indoor unit. Usually, the installation of the outdoor unit is on a balcony or patio area. It requires a space of approximately 3 feet by 2 feet. The indoor unit is predictably located on the other side of the wall that the outdoor unit is on, with the connecting pipes running along the exterior of the building.  

How Noisy is a Heat Pump? 

Heat pumps do have some noise due to compressors and fans, however they use inverter technology, which allows the compressors and fans to run at lower speeds to maintain a steady indoor temperature 24/7. This makes them less noisy than most home appliances. Almost every home appliance makes some noise. So, it’s completely normal for heat pumps to make noise as well. Predictably, your heat pump will be heard most on start up and defrost modes. 

Are there rebates available? 

Unfortunately, there are no rebates currently available for condo owners, as the primary resident for energy efficiency rebates cannot be in a multi-unit dwelling. 

Is a heat pump the right choice for your condo? 

If you are looking for an energy-efficient way to heat or cool your condo, a heat pump is a great choice for most floor plans and building types. Contact us today to get a free no obligation in-home or virtual estimate.