In Raleigh, heat pumps can be a popular choice to heat and cool your house.
They seem about the same as an air conditioner. In fact, they work in the same way during the summer. Since they have a reversing valve, they can shift humidity in the opposite direction as well as heat your house when temperatures drop.
Not sure if you have a heat pump or an air conditioner? All you need to do is track down the model number on the outdoor unit and run it online. If you find you have a heat pump, or you’re thinking over buying one, discover how this HVAC equipment keeps homes comfortable.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps use a refrigeration system similar to an air conditioner. Most can run similar to a ductless mini-split, because they can heat and cool. Heat pumps depend on an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is sent through these coils to shift humidity. The outdoor unit also has a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that function as a heat sink to help transfer humidity properly.
Summertime Cooling
When your heat pump is set to cooling, the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. Air from indoors moves over the coil, and the refrigerant sucks out heat. Wetness in the air also condenses on the coil, dropping into the condensate pan below and moves away. The resulting cool air moves through the ductwork and back into your home.
During this time, the refrigerant passes through a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, forcing it to warm up. As it moves through the condensing coil, the outdoor fan and metal fins help to discharge heat to the outdoors. The refrigerant travels back indoors, passing through an expansion valve that lowers its temperature it considerably, preparing it to start the process from the beginning.
When your heat pump is replaced and maintained correctly, you’ll get efficient cooling equivalent to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
In heating mode, the heat exchange process takes place the opposite way. By moving in the opposing direction, refrigerant extracts heat from the outdoor air and disperses it into your home to warm rooms.
Heat pumps running in heating mode are most useful when the temperature remains above freezing outside. If it becomes too cold, a backup electric resistance heater turns on to keep your residence cozy, but your heating bills increase as a result.
Heat pumps run longer than furnaces because the air doesn’t get as warm. This helps keep a more balanced indoor temperature. Also, because heat pumps shift heat rather than creating it from a fuel source, they can operate well above 100% efficiency. You can anticipate 30–40% savings on your heating costs by using a heat pump.
Book Heat Pump Installation or Service Right Away
Heat pumps are good for the environment and economical. They are a substitute for the traditional AC/furnace setup and need the same amount of maintenance—one service in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’d like to install a heat pump, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the company to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your unit to match your heating and cooling needs. And then we’ll support our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. For more information, contact us at 919-578-4329 today.