Here in the South, we tend to stay away when we hear anything with the word “heat” in front of it. But heat pumps can actually heat and cool your home while saving you money.
A heat pump is a multi-faceted heating and cooling system that can replace the traditional HVAC system. It can cool your home, like your air conditioner, and heat your home by pulling warm air from outside. In addition to heating and cooling, it can also dehumidify and purify your home.
A Typical Heat Pump System Includes
- A compressor that pushes the refrigerant through the system
- An evaporator coil and a condenser coil cool or heats the air
- A reverse valve that alters the flow of the refrigerant
- Thermostatic expansion valves that control the flow of refrigerant
- Accumulator that adapts as the seasons change
- Refrigerant lines connecting the inside and outside components
- Heat strips for additional heat on colder days
- Air ducts that direct the hot or cold air flow throughout the house
How Do Heat Pumps Work?
A heat pump is a multi-faceted heating and cooling system that can replace the traditional HVAC system. It can cool your home, like your air conditioner, and heat your home by pulling warm air from outside. In addition to heating and cooling, a heat pump system can also dehumidify and purify your home.
It’s called a heat “pump” because it pumps heat from either inside your home and moves it outside or pumps heat from the outside and moves it inside your home. Since a heat pump does not create heat but just moves existing heat, it’s much more energy efficient than the traditional central heating and cooling systems.
A Typical Heat Pump System Includes
- A compressor that pushes the refrigerant through the system
- An evaporator coil and a condenser coil cool or heats the air
- A reverse valve that alters the flow of the refrigerant
- Thermostatic expansion valves that control the flow of refrigerant
- Accumulator that adapts as the seasons change
- Refrigerant lines connecting the inside and outside components
- Heat strips for additional heat on colder days
- Air ducts that direct the hot or cold air flow throughout the house
How Do Heat Pumps Work?
Heat pumps move heat from one place to another, taking existing heat energy from outside and moving it into your home. A furnace will generate heat and distribute it throughout the house.
How Does a Heat Pump System Help Save Energy?
Heat pumps are very energy efficient because instead of using fuel like other HVAC systems, they use electricity. This also makes them more environmentally friendly. An article published by the Department of Energy stated that installing a heat pump in your home can cut your electric bill in half.
Instead of creating heat, heat pumps redistribute heat that is already in the atmosphere. Since creating heat requires much more energy than transferring heat, these systems can help you cut energy costs.
Types of Heat Pumps
All heat pumps work by transferring heat that is already in the atmosphere instead of generating heat. The differences are how they bring warm air into your home and distribute it. Below are the two most common types, air-source and ground-source.
Air Source Heat Pumps
An air source heat pump transfers heat from the outside air into your home during the cooler months. During the summer, it will take the heat from inside your home and transfer it outdoors.
These are the most popular type of system because they’re easy to install as well as maintain. They have two parts – an outdoor condensing unit and an indoor air handling unit. The outdoor condensing unit resembles a traditional air conditioner system.
Another reason they are so popular is that they come in two different versions, ducted and ductless. While both types use outdoor condensing units, the most significant difference between these two is how they manage the air in your home.
A ductless heat pump distributes air using a small, wall-mounted unit, also known as a mini-split. Mini-split systems are placed throughout your home and will circulate the air in each room that they are placed in.
Ducted heat pump systems use a single air-handling unit, known as a standard split, to distribute the air throughout your home. Since a ducted system relies on ductwork, this type is better suited for homes with existing ductwork, whereas ductless systems are great for rooms that have been added to homes or rooms that you need more heat or cool air in.
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Ground source heat pumps, also known as geothermal heat pumps, take the heat from the ground or water and push or pull heat from your home using underground pipes.
During the summer months, ground source heat pumps remove heat from your home and move it to the ground. Whereas during winter months, they will take the heat from the ground and move it into your home.
Since these styles use heat from the ground or water, they can be very expensive to install and maintain since you have to dig underground to reach them. So even though they’re slightly more energy efficient than air source heat pumps, the installation and maintenance makes them less popular.
Benefits of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps have many advantages, and as technology advances, that list continues to grow longer. Over the years, they have become quieter and more efficient than air conditioners. One of the best benefits is that they can be used for both heating and cooling your home.
Lower Electric Bills
One of the significant advantages of heat pumps is that they can save you money. Since they transfer heat instead of creating it from fuel, like combustion heating systems, less energy is used.
Great For Moderate Weather Climates
Heat pumps are great options for areas where the winter doesn’t get below-freezing temperatures, like here in the South. While we do experience some cold temperatures, it’s nothing that a heat pump can’t handle.
What Should You Look For?
Not all heat pumps are made equally, so it’s important to be familiar with what to look for when deciding on which model to install in your home.
Below are ten factors to consider when shopping for a heat pump.
- Type
Do you want an air or ground source heat pump? Both work similarly in that they transfer heat from outside, but how they’re installed is different.
- Climate
It’s essential to consider the environment where you live. For example, air source heat pumps have a more challenging time heating homes in extreme climates where it gets lower than freezing. Since the winters in Louisiana aren’t as intense compared to other areas of the United States, either style should work in your home.
- Energy Efficiency
All heat pumps are energy efficient, but their efficiency level can vary. Energy efficiency is measured in two ways: HSPF, Heating Seasonal Performance Factor, and SEER, Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. The HSPF measures the heating performance during the cooler months, and the SEER measures the cooling season. A heat pump with an HSPF of at least 8.5 and SEER of at least 15 is recommended by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
- Size
Like an air conditioner, getting the wrong size can cause issues like extreme wear and tear and not properly heating or cooling your home. Discussing the size you need with an HVAC expert at Pioneer Comfort Systems is important.
- Noise Output
Older heat pumps were known for being extremely noisy and loud, but newer technology has created quieter systems. Sound ratings are listed on the model, and you want to go with one with a decibel rating in the 50s or lower.
- Installation Costs
In addition to looking at the cost of the heat pump itself, you’ll want to also consider the cost of installation. When working with Pioneer Comfort Systems, we’ll let you know the costs of everything upfront. Don’t sweat – we have financing options available.
- Brand Reputation
At Pioneer Comfort Systems, we only offer the best quality heat pumps. You can choose from our American Standard Gold, Silver, or Platinum Series.
- Brand Warranties
When selecting one of our American Standard heat pumps, you can have a five-year or ten-year warranty.
- Customer Satisfaction Rating and Reviews
Reading customer reviews is always necessary before making a big purchase, like a heat pump.
- Advanced Features
Technology is constantly changing and new models can have features that make your heat pump run quieter and use less energy.
AC vs. Heat Pump
Air conditioners and heat pumps are two common methods of cooling your home. Even though they have similar functions, like using refrigerants to cool air in the house and electricity to circulate air, they do have some differences.
The most significant difference between an air conditioner and a heat pump is that an air conditioner only cools your home.
Some other differences include:
- Heat pumps can reverse their functions so that they can warm and cool your home, while an air conditioner can only provide cool air. This makes them a more efficient option.
- An air conditioner is better for warmer temperatures when you only need to cool off your home. Since air conditioners only run when it’s hot outside, they do tend to have a longer life expectancy.
- Another difference is the costs. Depending on the type you install, heat pump systems may cost more upfront. Although air conditioners are generally less expensive, you’ll need to install a furnace or other heating system since they only cool your home.
- Heat pumps are more energy efficient than air conditioners since they consume less electricity. They also dehumidify better than air conditioners which cut down on costs.
Need Help With Heating and Cooling Systems?
At Pioneer Comfort Systems, we’re familiar with all types of heating and cooling systems and can help you choose the right system to fit your and your family’s needs.
If you want to know more about how a heat pump system can benefit your home, call one of our heating and cooling experts at Pioneer Comfort Systems today at (318) 378-5729.