Understanding Heat Pumps
Most homeowners will only have to choose the type of heating system for their home a few times. When faced with this decision, either during new construction or heating replacement, it can be easy to stick with the current system or the most common one offered by local contractors. The downside of this decision is that it can keep homeowners from realizing the benefits of newer technology for heating and cooling the home.
Heat pumps have been around for decades, but recent technological improvements have made them much more competitive and superior to their fossil-fuel-powered counterparts. Here is a quick guide to heat pumps to help homeowners make good decisions regarding upgrading their heating and cooling systems.
What Is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is a very descriptive name, but most people don’t know it. During operation in the winter, a heat pump absorbs heat energy outdoors using refrigerant and pumps it inside so it can be exchanged with chilly indoor air. The process is reversed during the summer, meaning homes are heated and cooled with the same machinery.
One of the biggest hurdles in heat pumps was the inefficiency with which heat could be absorbed from outdoor air in the winter. Until recently, heat pumps needed warmer temperatures to provide heat, and they most often used ground wells. With modernizations and better refrigerants, heat pumps are much more efficient, even when obtaining energy from chilly outdoor air.
Reasons to Install a Heat Pump
There are plenty of reasons to consider a heat pump, but it comes down to cost for most owners. Heat pumps are superior in several ways concerning cost. First, the cost of installing a heat pump in a home is comparable to installing a furnace. Heat pumps can generally be installed directly in place of existing equipment, making the swap fast and easy.
Secondly, heat pumps are more efficient than furnaces for heating. This makes them eco-friendly, but it also allows homeowners to reduce their reliance on fossil fuel grids and rely more fully on electrical grids for power. Finally, heat pumps last longer and experience fewer problems than traditional furnaces. This is mostly because the systems stay lubricated all year long instead of sitting idle for months.
When to Call for Heat Pump Repairs
Learning to operate a new heating and cooling system can be a hassle, but with heat pumps, nothing changes. Heat pumps are controlled by the same thermostats as traditional systems, so daily operation is identical. In addition, heat pumps show the same signs that they need repairs as a traditional system. These can include things like:
- Poor indoor air quality
- Inadequate temperature control
- Noisy operation
- Poor airflow
The only difference between heat pumps and furnaces is that their heating cycles take longer on colder days. Luckily, this won’t cost the owner much more on bills since heat pumps are so efficient.
About 360 Air Tech
360 Air Tech is ready to help with heat pump installation and repairs. They can help owners select the right central or ductless heat pump system. Call today for exceptional heat pump service in Williamsburg, VA.
