Heat Pump: How Can It Benefit You?
- Heating
Is a Heat Pump Right for You?
In common terms, it functions like an air conditioner in reverse. Heat pumps move heat from one space to another by means of a compressor and circulating structure of liquid/gas refrigerant where heat is extracted from outside sources and pumped indoors.
For climates with moderate heating and cooling needs, heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. During the winter, heat pumps absorb heat from the outdoors (even in cold weather) and move it into your house. During the summer, heat pumps move heat from your house and push it outdoors, thus cooling your home down. Because they move heat rather than generate it, heat pumps can provide equivalent space conditioning at as little as one quarter of the cost of operating conventional heating or cooling appliances.
Benefits of a Heat Pump
- Low Running Costs: Heat pumps are cheaper to run in comparison to those who run on combustion. An electric heat pump can cost $500/year to run, while an electric furnace will cost upwards of $900.
- Less Maintenance: Heat pumps require far less maintenance in comparison to combustion heating systems. Approximately once a year certain details of the system have to be checked, which could easily be accomplished by yourself. If you are a bit hesitant, consider hiring a professional from [Company] to check on the system.
- Safety: Heat pumps are far less likely to cause problems than other combustion heating systems. They are not generating their own heat by flame or combustion, lessening the chance of fires or gas leaks.
- Reduced Carbon Emissions: Heat pump systems reduce your carbon emissions and it has an efficient conversion rate of energy to heat. For example, water source heat pumps reach reasonably high efficiencies.
- Provide Cooling: During the warmer months of the year, heat pumps are able to reverse the flow process. Because of this, the heat pump can serve a similar function to an air conditioner. Air to air heat pumps can conveniently be switched to cooling mode during the summers.
- Longevity: The life span of heat pumps is relatively long. In most cases the average lifespan of a heat pump is somewhere around 14-15 years, while a furnace can burn out around 10 years after installation.
If you heat heat pump repair or maintenance, or you would like to learn more about installation, call the experts at North Shore Home Energy!