Going by the name alone, you wouldn’t think that heat pumps could be ideal for every season. In actuality, the name refers mainly to how this contraption moves heat around to provide the optimal indoor temperature.
What Is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is an alternative to air conditioning and furnaces, providing indoor temperature control. Ideal for moderate climates where the winters aren’t excessively cold, a heat pump is an energy- and cost-efficient way to heat and cool your home. Because it can both heat and cool your home, it’s an excellent investment for year-round use. Plus, it can also act as a dehumidifier, therefore improving your overall indoor air quality as well.
How Does a Heat Pump Work?
For those wondering if heat pumps do cool your home, the answer is a confident yes. Heat pumps are refrigeration systems that transfer heat from indoors to outdoors using evaporation and condensation. The unique thing about heat pumps is that this refrigeration can be reversed as well, to bring in heat from outdoors, even in colder temperatures.
Usually, a heat pump is made up of an outdoor unit — called the heat pump — and an indoor air handler, which includes a compressor to move the air. When it comes to how heat pumps cool your home, the answer is simple when you think of a heat pump as a chauffer for heat. Its job is to move heat from within your home and expel it outside, leaving your indoor air cool and comfortable. That’s pretty much what an air conditioner does as well, but the heat pump can also move heat from outdoors into your home, making it ideal for year-round use.
Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioner
As mentioned, air conditioners are great for cooling your home by moving the heat outdoors. However, if you live in a climate in which winters can get rough, you’ll likely need to invest in a separate heating system since air conditioners can’t heat your home. So, why get a heat pump instead of an air conditioner? Heat pumps, unlike air conditioners, can provide both heating and cooling for your home, even in very cold weather. Plus, heat pumps run on electricity rather than fuel, which makes them both more cost-effective and energy-efficient.
A heat pump’s ability to capture heat even in cold weather is thanks to a reversing valve, located in the outdoor unit. Some find it surprising that there would be heat in very cold seasons, but the truth is that even when the temperature is -1 degree Fahrenheit, it still contains about 85% of the heat that’s present in the air when it’s 70 degrees Fahrenheit. With a heat pump, you have one machine providing the services of both an air conditioner and a furnace, and it does it at a fraction of the cost of the other two.
For places where excessive cold weather is common, a secondary heating system may be necessary as a backup since a heat pump does have its limitations. However, many heat pumps come equipped with a built-in heating system that kicks in when the weather gets too cold for the heat pump to extract any heat.
How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost?
There’s no one answer to how much heat pumps cost since several variables can affect the price, including:
- Your home’s size
- The type of heat pump system
- Average climate in your region
Due to how heat pumps work, the size of your home will determine how much heating and cooling it will need, which means you’ll likely need a higher-capacity heat pump the bigger your home is. On top of that, additional factors — such as how high your ceilings are, how many windows you have and what the quality of construction is — may increase the manual labor required for installation, which may drive up the overall price for you.
There are several different types of heat pump systems, so you’ll have to decide which one is best suited for your home, and the price of your chosen system will differ and, inevitably, affect the overall price of the heat pump. These are the two most common types of heat pumps:
- Air-source: This type of heat pump is the most popular. It absorbs heat from outdoors to distribute it indoors or vice-versa.
- Ground-source: Also known as geothermal systems, these work like air-source systems but instead of absorbing heat from the air, geothermal systems absorb heat from the ground. This system tends to be a little more expensive than the air-source systems since geothermal systems have to be installed into the ground.
The overall climate of your area will also impact your decision and, thus, the cost of the heat pump. In areas where extremely cold winters are common, you will likely need to include a secondary heating system for times when it will be too cold for the heat pump to do its job successfully. The climate will also impact how much you’ll be using your heating and cooling systems, with the demand for heating dropping significantly in warmer climates, which results in less pressure on the heat pump.
In addition to that, the overall cost of your heat pump will also take into consideration the installation process, which will include the amount of labor needed to install the system properly. For best results and optimal usage, you should have trained professionals install your heat pump.
While the initial cost of installing a heat pump will be higher than that of other heating or cooling systems, the long-term cost savings will likely be more than worthwhile. Plus, the federal government offers tax credits and similar incentives for energy-efficient HVAC systems in residential dwellings.
How to Choose the Right Heat Pump for Your Home
The price will, inevitably, play a large role in choosing a heat pump, but it’s important to remember that the upfront cost will be a one-time expense. If you choose the right heat pump system for your home, you’ll be making a long-term investment that will likely save you money for the duration of the heat pump’s lifespan. Defaulting to purchase the cheapest option may end up costing you more over time.
Here are some other factors to consider before deciding which heat pump is best for your home:
Type
There are two things to consider when choosing which type of heat pump to install: the way it moves the heat and the way it’s installed.
The former will mean choosing between an air-source heat pump system and a geothermal — or ground-source — heat pump system. The other type you’ll have to decide between is whether you want a wall-mounted, ductless heat pump or a central heat pump.
As mentioned, the air-source heat pump absorbs the heat from the air and moves it in or out of your home, depending on whether you’re heating or cooling. A geothermal heat pump does the same thing, but instead of absorbing the heat from the air, it absorbs it from the ground. Since a geothermal pump has to be installed within the ground, using many looping pipes, the installation process is much more time-consuming than it is for an air-source heat pump. The increased installation time is likely to drive up the price of the system, but the geothermal system is generally low-cost to run since it absorbs constant heat from the ground and can reduce your household’s energy use by 30% to 60%.
On the other hand, an air-source heat pump system can reduce your household’s electricity use by 50% when compared to traditional heating methods, like furnaces or radiators. And if your home doesn’t already have ducts, you can get an air-source heat pump in its ductless version, called a mini-split heat pump.
Both geothermal and air-source heat pump systems also dehumidify the air — often better than air conditioning does.
Choosing between ductless or central heat pump systems is a bit easier since it really depends on whether your home is already equipped with ducts or not.
Size
When we talk about the size of your heat pump system, we don’t necessarily mean its physical size. Instead, the size of a heat pump system refers to the number of British thermal units (BTUs) it brings to your home. You’ll want to consider the size of your home when deciding on the size of a heat pump since a system that’s too big for your home will waste energy while one that’s too small will run nonstop and is likely to wear out much sooner.
Doing your research and even consulting with professionals for their advice is a good idea when you’re trying to figure out what size you need.
Quality
You should look at a heat pump as an investment in your home’s future. That’s why you should do your due diligence and pick a system that provides renowned quality. When it comes to choosing a heat pump system for your home, avoid picking lesser-known or cheaper models simply for the sake of saving some money. Instead, make sure you’re buying from a certified dealer who is knowledgeable and has your best interests at heart. A certified dealer will provide honest and professional recommendations to you based on your needs and home criteria.
Similarly, sticking to bigger brands is a better option since they have an established reputation you can rely on.
Ratings
Heat pumps, like most other home appliances, have rating systems that alert you to unique benefits. The ratings will be one or more of the following:
- HSPF: The Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) rating measures the heat pump’s efficiency when it’s used for heating. A high HSPF rating means the heat pump is more likely to be energy-efficient and cost-effective.
- EER: The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) is used to measure your heat pump system’s efficiency when it’s used for cooling. This rating is measured annually.
- SEER: The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is used to calculate how efficient the heating pump system is when it’s used for cooling, but the SEER is measured over each cooling season.
Warranty
It goes without saying that you want your heat pump system to last you for many years without giving you any trouble. The best way to ensure peace of mind is to research the warranty provided with each system. Your warranty should cover the heat pump’s compressor, the parts and the labor. Luckily, high-end brands provide long warranties, allowing you to sit with ease knowing your heat pump is going to last for many years — and that you have a safety net just in case something does go wrong.
Benefits of Heat Pumps
Generally, you already know that heat pumps work well when it comes to indoor climate control throughout the year, but there are additional advantages to opting for a heat pump system rather than another HVAC system.
- Maintenance: One of the best things about heat pumps is how little maintenance they require. Heat pumps are fairly self-sufficient and only require a check once a year, which you can do yourself. Heat pumps only require certified professionals to examine them every few years.
- Costs: Energy-efficient systems can, of course, save you lots of money over the years. Heat pumps use less energy than other traditional heating and cooling systems, which means you’ll be saving a nice little sum the more you use your heat pump.
- Lifespan: Another benefit of heat pumps is that they tend to last a longer time than other heating or cooling systems, making the initial upfront cost of installation more than worthwhile.
- All-in-one: Heating, cooling and dehumidifying are available in one, compact machine. It’s another way to save you money since you won’t have to buy multiple devices but can still reap the benefits of this HVAC system.
- Eco-friendly: Since heat pump systems don’t use fuel — they run on electricity for the most part — they also don’t contribute to the world’s pollution. Without fuel being used, there are no carbon emissions to release into the air, making heat pump systems environmentally friendly, which can be an incentive for taking advantage of government tax credits as well.
The only potential disadvantage a potential buyer may see in buying a heat pump system is the high upfront cost and its inability to work in extremely cold temperatures. Consider the cost as an investment for your family’s safety and comfort. A heat pump system can also help increase your home’s resale value.
There’s little to be done about the heat pump’s ability to function in extremely cold weather since if there’s no heat to absorb, the heat pump can’t do its job. Luckily, extreme cold weather really does mean extreme. Heat pumps function well in most North American climates, even those few places that regularly see below-freezing temperatures. It’s a good idea to consult with a professional to see whether a heat pump system will be beneficial for your home.
Get Heat Pumps Repairs, Services and Installation With EAC Heating & Air
At EAC Heating & Air, we’re determined to be the trusted source for HVAC services for our community. That’s why we’re proud to offer top-quality services and products to help you make your home as comfortable and relaxing as you deserve it to be.
Whether you’re looking to improve your indoor air quality or in the market for a heating or cooling system for your home or business, EAC Heating & Air is here to provide reliable, high-quality service. Get in touch by using the contact form online or by calling us at 843-681-3999.