In need of knowing wire size for heat pump. Thinking of making a purchase but wondering is you need to run new wires? We can help.
Wires sizes for heat pumps vary greatly on the efficiency of the unit itself. Some heat pumps will use a smaller wire size but expect to pay more for the quality of the heat pump. In any case the smallest wire size would be 14 gauge AWG and they get larger from there. 12 gauge AWG is the most common for split type heat pumps.
Below is a table we have made up to make it easier for you to see. Keep in mind as the technology of the heat pump gets better the wires sizes get smaller.
| Heat Pump Size | BTU | Wire Size | Breaker Size | Voltage |
| 1 ton | 12000 | 12 gauge | 15 amp | 240 |
| 1.5 ton | 15000 | 12 gauge | 20 amp | 240 |
| 2 ton | 24000 | 10 gauge | 30 amp | 240 |
| 3 ton | 36000 | 8 gauge | 40 amp | 240 |
| 4 ton | 48000 | 6 gauge | 60 amp | 240 |
| 5 ton | 60000 | 4 gauge | 80 amp | 240 |
| 6 ton | 72000 | 2 gauge | 90 amp | 240 |
| 7 ton | 84000 | 1 gauge | 125 amp | 240 |
In the market for a new heat pump?………
Standard wire size for heat pump
There are a few different wire sizes for heat pumps. This of course varies on the efficiency of the unit itself. Some of the most common wire sizes for heat pumps are 12 gauge AWG and 14 gauge AWG.
If you’re looking to save money with a cheaper model, then it’s likely that you’ll need to run new wires to your heat pump. If that’s not an option, then a high-efficiency heat pump is a great option as they often come with a smaller wire size.
In any case, it’s important to know what size wire you need before purchasing or installing your unit as some require larger wires than others.
Wire size for heat pump 240 volt
The smallest wire size for a 240 volt heat pump would be 14 gauge AWG. Keep in mind these units are typically more expensive than the standard 120 volt units. A wire size for a 120 volt unit is usually a minimum of 12 gauge awg.
Larger heat pumps mostly cone in 240 volt, They do not require a neutral conductor.
Wire size for larger heat pumps
In general, as the wire size gets larger the distance from the breaker box to the heat pump will get shorter.
If you have a large home and need a more powerful unit, you may want to go with a larger power feed. These will be more expensive but can make it easier and cheaper in the long run if you don’t want to run sub panels all over your house.
How to Wire a Heat Pump
The wiring of a heat pump is not as complicated as many people perceive and this article will walk you through the process.
You will need to be sure that your home has a 220-volt power the unit. This could be either an unfinished basement or a detached garage. You will also need to purchase an outdoor electrical service panel or disconnect box for the unit and which should be installed by someone who’s licensed and qualified for such work.
Now, there are two different types of heat pumps: Split system and central heat. If you have a split system then all you need to do is use the existing 240-volt circuit that was used for your air conditioner and plug it into the circuit breaker and run cables from this junction box to the outside unit. If you’re using a central heat pump then you’ll need to install a new 240-volt circuit from your breaker box inside your home at one end of your house. Installing this new line isn’t difficult but it does require some knowledge about how electricity works as well as some savvy with installing cables.
Does breaker Size for the heat Pump Matter
The size of the breaker for the heat pump will depend on the size of the wire. The wires sizes for heat pumps vary greatly on the efficiency of unit itself. Some heat pumps will use a smaller wire size but expect to pay more for quality of the heat pump. In any case, smallest wire size would be 14 gauge AWG and they get larger from there. 12 gauge AWG is most common for split-type heat pumps.
As technology gets better, wires sizes get smaller and so should your breaker size.
What size wire do I need for a 3 ton heat pump?
Typically, the maximum wire size needed for a 3 ton heat pump is 10 gauge.
14-2 (14 gauge wire with 2 copper conductors)
* 12-2 (12 gauge wire with 2 copper conductors)
* 10-2 (10 gauge wire with 2 copper conductors)
How many amps does a heat pump require?
The size of a wire is measured in amps, and a heat pump will require a certain number of amps depending on the size.
The wire size required for a heat pump is determined by the amount of power it needs to provide for an air handler or cooling coil. The most common wire sizes used are 14 gauge AWG, 12 gauge AWG, 10 gauge AWG, 8 gauge AWG with some using 6 gauge AWG.
It’s also important to note that different types of heat pumps use different wire sizes. Split type heat pumps typically use 12 gauge AWG while packaged units use 14 gauge AWG.
To calculate the length of your new wires for your heat pump you will need to know how many amps you need to run through your wires and the distance between the two connection points.
What kind of wire for a heat pump?
When you are considering wiring size for a heat pump, it is important to think about the efficiency of the unit. A lower-efficiency heat pump will use smaller wire sizes but cost more. The smallest wire size would be 14 gauge AWG and they get larger from there. 12 gauge AWG is the most common wire size for split-type heat pumps.
The wires sizes on a loss of power type heat pump are usually higher because they have compressors which allow them to continue running with power outages.
Keep in mind as the technology of the heat pump gets better the wires sizes get smaller.
Typical wire types for residential are NMD-90 or Romex
How many amps does Central Heat pull?
A central heat pump can pull anywhere from 20 to 150 amps depending on the size of the unit. Some central heat pumps require 2 smaller feeds to the indoor air handler. We usually run 2- 60 amp feeds from the customer’s panel and then a 3rd outdoor feed for the heat pump itself.
Some central heat pumps have a back up electric heat option. This is there to help defrost the outdoor heat pump and act as an emergency back up heat source in case the heat pump fails.
Do heat pumps work below 20 degrees?
Heat pumps work from 20 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The heating power of a heat pump is dependent on the ambient temperature. Once the heat pump reaches it’s cut out point. The back up heat elements will kick in to supplement the heat source. This is true for central heat pumps.
For split type heat pumps of commonly referred to as minisplits. You will need to have an additional back up heat source in your home.
Why does my heat pump run all the time in the summer?
The first question we ask when we see this is: Did you do a load calculation to determine how many BTU’s your home needs? If not, then the next question would be: Do you have a programmable thermostat?
If your answer to both questions is no, then you’re likely not running the heat pump enough. In order for the heat pump to work efficiently it needs to run longer periods of time.
In some cases, homes with a heat pump will need an auxiliary heat source as well. This will depend on the size of your home and what your climate zone is.
If your fan is running all the time this could be a sign that the heat pump has not been sized correctly. Do not confuse this for the heat pump fan just circulation air to calculate the room temperature. This is a common misconception.
Will a Heat pump raise my electric bill?
The short answer is no. Heat pumps are designed to lower your electric bill. They work by running off of electricity which makes them more expensive to install but they end up saving you money in the long run. The main purpose of a heat pump is to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system so you use less electricity, which results in lower utility costs.
Heat pumps can be used for both heating and cooling. When the weather heats up during the summer months. Heat pumps will cool your home down by pulling air from outside and blowing it through your home. When winter rolls around, heat pumps will work as an air conditioner by doing the opposite: blowing heated air into your home to keep it warm.
How many amps does a 1.5 ton heat pump use?
The amps in a 1.5 ton heat pump will vary in a lot of cases. The amps in a 1.5 ton heat pump would depend on the efficiency of the unit itself. It would also depend on if is it’s a split type or non-split type. In any case, the smallest wire size would be 14 gauge AWG and they get larger from there.
In general, 12 gauge AWG is the most common for split type heat pumps and 10 gauge AWG is the most common for non-split type heat pumps and a 1.5 ton usually will draw about 13 amps running.
Can I use a 60 amp disconnect on a 40 amp breaker?
A 60 amp disconnect can be used for a 40 amp breaker. It’s not wrong to use it for this purpose, but you may need to adjust the breaker to accommodate this usage. You will need to make sure that your circuit is capable of handling the load and that it can provide safety for your electrical system.