What impact does air leakage have on a heat pump’s performance?

Air leakage can significantly affect a heat pump’s performance by allowing conditioned air to escape and unconditioned air to enter the space being heated or cooled. This disruption creates inconsistencies in the indoor environment and leads to energy loss, as the heat pump must work harder to maintain the desired temperature.

When air escapes through leaks, the system is constantly cycling on and off to compensate for the lost air, which not only leads to increased energy consumption but also places additional strain on the heat pump components. Over time, this can result in reduced overall efficiency and higher operating costs for the homeowner. By sealing air leaks, a heat pump can operate more efficiently, maintaining better temperature control and reducing energy wastage.