Heat Pumps: Are They Energy Efficient?
As a homeowner, what you might not know is that heat pumps are actually extremely energy efficient. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the technical details of how these pumps reduce electricity usage while keeping you comfortable.
Basic Heat Pump Design
Heat pumps contain refrigerant that is pumped between two separate copper tube coils. A compressor manages the movement of refrigerant during operation. Many aluminum fins surround the copper tubing to collect or distribute heat energy. Usually, the two coils are housed separately with one coil outside and the other inside. However, packaged units contain both coils on the outside and move air into the house after processing. The direction of refrigerant flow depends on whether you are heating or cooling your space.
Heat Pumps Accomplish Heating and Cooling
Heat pumps work on the principle of heat transfer. They come in several forms, including air source, water source, and geothermal. The system absorbs heat and transfers it where it is needed. For example, a heat pump can extract heat from outdoor air when temperatures remain above freezing. After collecting traces of heat energy from the air, the pump moves the warmed refrigerant to the inside coil. The fins on the coil radiate the heat, and a fan distributes the processed air into your home.
A heat pump can also reverse this action and pull heat out of your home to cool it. Near the compressor, a reversing valve causes the refrigerant to flow in the opposite direction. On that setting, the fins around the inside coil collect heat and warm the refrigerant that is then pumped to the outside coil. A fan outside pulls the heat from the coil before sending cooled refrigerant back inside.
How Do Heat Pumps Save Money?
If your home uses an electric furnace or baseboard heaters, then you have much to gain from using a heat pump. Electric heating uses large amounts of electricity. The savings compared to furnaces that use natural gas, propane, or fuel oil depend on current market rates for those fuels. Even so, you can expect the efficiency of the heat pump to result in lower costs per unit of energy compared to burning fuel. A heat pump accomplishes greater efficiency because it is not producing heat. It is essentially harvesting heat and moving it, which simply uses less energy and delivers greater cost savings to you.
Of course, heat pumps have limitations when temperatures go below freezing. This fact does not mean that they have no usefulness in cold climates. They remain an excellent alternative to air conditioning. Heat pumps also work effectively as dehumidifiers, which you will appreciate on a hot and muggy day in July.
However, they still possess the potential to reduce utility bills in cold weather. A heat pump can allow you to delay turning on a gas or oil furnace or boiler on moderately cold days. This ability allows you to reserve the less efficient system for only the coldest weather.
Learn About the Best Heating Solution for Your Home
Several variables influence the heating efficiency within your home, including its size, insulation, and the age of existing heating equipment. A technician can evaluate your system and make informed recommendations about efficiency upgrades you can do. If you want to install a heat pump, they can explain what gains in power efficiency you can expect at your location.
Discover Efficiency With Zoned Heating
Your plan to build an addition on your house might require adjustments or upgrades to the central heating system. In some cases, a heat pump unit might offer an elegant alternative to altering your existing system. Some models of heat pumps are meant to provide zoned heating in single rooms. They can relieve cold spots in your house and also be used to heat spaces that do not have ductwork.
Reliable Expertise for Home Comfort
Heat pump technology has come a long way over the years. Our technicians at A To Z Dependable Services in Niles, OH, stay on top of modern advances to deliver outstanding service. Since 1960, we have responded quickly to calls for services related to plumbing, heating, and cooling. Whether you need a bath renovation or furnace repairs, we have the skill to produce top-quality results. Contact our fully licensed company today to schedule an appointment with a highly skilled technician.
