When looking for the best options to heat and cool your house, you will encounter heat pump systems. Heat pumps are reliable, and they’re capable of providing comfort control for your home. They help cool your home in the summer and supply heat in the winter. In some cases, they can heat water in your home. Heat pumps are the best solutions in most applications for both retrofits and new homes. They are viable options for replacing AC systems as the cost to move to a heat pump is low. Given the varieties of heat pumps in the market, finding the right solution for your home can be hard.
What Is a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps work on a simple principle of removing heat inside your house to cool it and reversing the process to heat your home. Most heat pumps are made of two parts: an outdoor unit and an indoor air handler.
Types of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are energy-efficient options compared to AC systems and furnaces. They work in all climates, and they use electricity to make your house cooler or warmer, depending on the season. Since they transfer heat instead of generating heat, they can efficiently provide optimum temperatures for your home. Here are the different types of heat pumps to consider for your home.
Ductless Air Source Heat Pumps
Also known as mini-split heat pumps, they are ideal solutions for homes without ducts. Besides, there are unique versions of these heat pumps known as reverse cycle chillers. They generate cold and hot water instead of air, thus providing a feasible solution for floor heating systems.
Ducted Air Source Heat Pumps
These heat pumps are ideal for homes with ducts. Both air source solutions are inexpensive to install, and they are the most preferred options in most homes. They also function well in most climates by utilizing outside air as a heat exchange medium.
Absorption Heat Pumps
These heat pumps are relatively new in homes since they use thermal energy as their primary energy source. They are also called gas-fired heat pumps, and they can be driven by a myriad of heat sources, including geothermal heated water, steam solar-heated water, or natural gas. Absorption heat pumps are more complex and necessitate larger units than air source heat pumps. They also have lower electricity demand since they only use power when pumping liquid.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
They are also known as water source or ground source heat pumps. They are more efficient since they transfer heat between your house using the nearby water source or the ground. These heat pumps also cost more to install, but they have low operating costs since they take advantage of constant water or ground temperatures. The heat pumps can also control humidity, reduce energy use by 30 to 60%, and fit in many homes. To determine whether this is the heat pump for you, you need to consider your landscape, subsoil, and the size of your lot. Besides, you can use these heat pumps in more extreme climates, unlike air source heat pumps.
Features to Look for in a Heat Pump
If it’s your first time buying a heat pump for your home, there are some pleasant features to consider for efficiency and greater comfort. Below are the best features to consider when looking for a heat pump.
Backup Heating
Heat pumps lose their efficiency once the outside temperatures are below 30 degrees. The standard backup heating system in heat pumps is electric resistance heating, and it takes over in sub-freezing temperatures. You can also opt for a hybrid heat pump with a gas furnace as its backup heating method. The hybrid option is preferred since it can change energy sources, thus boosting its efficiency.
Blower Motor Speeds
You should consider variable-speed or two-speed blower motors since they offer great cooling and heating. They also provide better efficiency since they have variable speeds to condition your home more comfortably, quietly, and smoothly.
Compressor Technologies
Some heat pumps use a fixed compressor that only runs at full capacity. Variable stage and two-stage compressors can meet your home’s load more accurately, thus providing better efficiency. Furthermore, these compressors are amongst the quietest and deliver refrigerant in error-free 1% increments for optimal heating and cooling.
Water, Spa and Pool Heating
Another advantage of using heat pumps is their inexpensive water heating capabilities. Therefore, you can use the heat pump to heat your spa, pool, or even floors. Adding a desuperheater to the heat pump can let you enjoy hot water for the water heating system in your home. The heat pump does this at a fraction of the cost of electric water heating.
Choosing the Ideal Heat Pump
Now that you’ve known that heat pumps are more efficient than AC systems and furnaces, the next step is to purchase one. However, there are a few considerations to ensure that you end up with the ideal heat pump for your home.
Efficiency Rating
One easy way of finding the best heat pump for your home is to check the heating seasonal performance factor and seasonal energy efficiency ratio. These ratings help measure the heat pump’s cooling performance. You can choose a heat pump with a rating of between 14 to 20. The higher the number, the better the efficiency.
Sizing
Sizing is a crucial aspect when shopping for the best heat pump. It will affect the heat pump’s efficiency, cost, and overall comfort in your home. The ratio will differ significantly if you have a well-insulated home. It’s advisable to have professionals use precise equipment sizing standards and load calculations to help you find the best heat pump for your home.
Benefits of Heat Pumps
Investing in a heat pump can change your home’s comfort and overall feeling. Below are some of the benefits that make heat pumps better than AC systems and furnaces.
Energy Efficient
Heat pumps work more efficiently by moving air from one place to another. Therefore, they take warmth from the outside air and pump it inside during the winter and reverse the process during summer. The process saves energy use, thus lowering your monthly energy bills.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
Heat pumps mix and circulate inside air with outside air. This results in improved air quality in your home. By conducting regular maintenance and using effective filters, the heat pump will offer better smelling and cleaner air.
Quiet
Heat pumps are quieter compared to AC systems. This makes them a preferred choice in most homes since they are comfortable to use. Besides, the compressor system tends to produce less noise since it’s placed outside.
Schedule Professional Installation Now
At Beltway Air Conditioning & Heating, we serve our Hanover, MD, clients with top-notch heating and cooling services. We also provide exceptional products, and we’re proud to offer the most energy-efficient products, including heat pumps. We aim to keep you comfortable all year long, be it in your home or your business. We also offer a wide array of services and impeccable customer service.
