If you’re in the market for a new heating or cooling system, you have many options. A heat pump is one option that tends to confuse many homeowners. Fortunately, we’re going to take the time to define exactly what a heat pump is and go over the many ways that it can benefit your household.
What Is a Heat Pump?
It’s easiest to think of a heat pump as a heat transfer system. There are multiple types of heat pumps, but the two most common are air-source and ground-source. Air-source pumps use the air outside to control temperatures, whereas ground-source ones use the Earth itself.
In the summertime, a heat pump will transfer heat from the inside of your home to the outdoors. The air from inside of your home is forced into your ducting and is blown over the heat pump’s evaporator coil, which contains refrigerant.
The heat from the air transfers into the refrigerant and the then-cooled air is delivered back to the rooms of your home via your supply vents. The heated refrigerant turns into a gaseous state and is pumped outside to the condenser unit. As it goes through the condenser coil, it emits the heat to the outdoors. The refrigerant is then pumped back inside to repeat the process. When you use a heat pump to heat your home, the process is similar, just in reverse.
Heat pumps have an array of benefits.
No Need For a Second System
Probably the biggest advantage to investing in a heat pump for your home is that it works as both a heating and cooling system. Instead of having to buy a furnace and a central air conditioning system, you can stick to a heat pump for both purposes. This doesn’t just save you money but also simplifies maintenance, as there’s only one system that needs to be looked after.
Lower Running Costs
Another great benefit that has many homeowners switching from conventional heating and cooling methods to a heat pump is their lower running costs. Heat pumps are more energy-efficient to run than furnaces. According to Energy.gov, a heat pump can actually reduce your electricity usage by 50% as compared to using a furnace or baseboard heater.
When it comes to cooling, things get a little more contentious – a heat pump and an air conditioner with similar Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings will see similar efficiency, but air conditioners tend to lose efficiency when there’s a large difference between the temperature outside and the temperature in the space you’re trying to cool. Heat pumps don’t have that issue, making them ideal for use in areas that see high heat.
Less Maintenance
Most air conditioning systems should be serviced twice a year, and if your heating solution is separate from your air conditioner, it needs to be serviced regularly as well. By combining heating and cooling into one heat pump, you save money, but there’s more to it: heat pumps only really need yearly maintenance. You can invest in more regular services than that, which is never a bad idea, but once a year is the general rule.
Available in Varying Options
Heat pumps are one of the most versatile systems on the market today. They can be installed with existing ductwork or in a ductless fashion. They can heat or cool your entire home or a partial section of it. You can even opt for multi-zone heating and cooling. This will allow you to easily control the temperature for each room of your home independently.
Tax Credit Eligible
Since heat pumps are energy-efficient and put off fewer emissions than furnaces, the federal and some state governments have offered tax credits for those who invest in them. The amount of your tax credit will depend on the specific heat pump you purchase and its SEER rating. It’s best to ask your heat pump installer about the various tax credits that your new system may make you eligible for on both a federal and state level.
Reliable Heat Pump Services
Underwood AC LLC provides reliable heat pump services for the Davenport, FL region. We’re also here for all of your heating, pool heating, indoor air quality, ductless mini-split, ductwork, cooling, and home energy audit needs. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable and experienced service technicians.
