In Canada, heat pumps can be a popular option for heating and cooling your home.
They seem almost like an air conditioner. In reality, they run in the same way during the summer. Because of a reversing valve, they can move humidity in the opposite direction as well as add warmth to your residence when temperatures drop.
Not sure if you use a heat pump or an air conditioner? Simply locate the model number on the outdoor unit and run it online. If it turns out you own a heat pump, or you’re thinking about purchasing one, find out how this HVAC system keeps homes comfy.
Heat pumps rely on a refrigeration system similar to an air conditioner. Most can work akin to a ductless mini-split, because they can heat and cool. Heat pumps rely on an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to shift warmth. The outdoor unit also uses a compressor and is encircled by metal fins that work as a heat sink to help shift warmth efficiently.
In cooling mode, the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. Air from within the house is distributed over the coil, and the refrigerant sucks out warmth. Wetness in the air also condenses on the coil, dripping into the condensate pan below and flows away. The following dehumidified air moves through the ductwork and back into your residence.
During this time, the refrigerant moves a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This constricts the refrigerant, causing it to get hotter. As it goes through the condensing coil, the outdoor fan and metal fins help to emit heat to the outside. The refrigerant heads back indoors, traveling through an expansion valve that chills it significantly, prepping it to begin the process from the start.
When your heat pump is put in and maintained appropriately, you’ll receive efficient cooling equivalent to a high-performance air conditioner.
When your heat pump is set to heat, the heat exchange process takes place the opposite way. By traveling in the opposite direction, refrigerant pulls heat from the outdoor air and adds it into your house to warm the interior.
Heat pumps working in heating mode are most efficient when the temperature is above freezing outside. If it turns too cold, a backup electric resistance heater kicks on to keep your home comfy, but your heating expenses increase as a result.
Heat pumps operate longer than furnaces because the air doesn’t get as heated. This helps keep a more balanced indoor temperature. Also, because heat pumps move warmth rather than creating it from a fuel source, they can operate well above 100% efficiency. You can anticipate 30–40% savings on your heating bills by switching to a heat pump.
Heat pumps are a green choice and money-saving. They are a substitute for the standard AC/furnace configuration and should have the same amount of maintenance—one checkup in the spring and another in the fall.
If you want to install a heat pump, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is the company to contact. We’ll size and install your unit to match your heating and cooling needs. And then we’ll support our installation with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. For more information, contact us at 866-397-3787 right away.
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