What is a Heat Pump, and How Does it Work?
Enjoying the summertime looks a little different right now (thanks COVID-19), but what probably wonāt change is the summer heat. That means most of us are already looking for ways to keep cool while keeping our costs down. You know the usual suspects: AC units, window units, and ceiling fans. Thereās also, you know, praying for the heat wave to break.
But what about a whole new approach? What about a heat pump?
What is a heat pump?
A heat pump is an all-in-one heating and air conditioning system. The unit āpumpsāāor movesāthe heat from one place to another. In the summertime, it acts like an air conditionerāextracting heat from inside and transferring it outside. But in the cooler months, your heat pump works in reverseācollecting heat from the outdoors and transferring it into your house.
Types of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps come in two varieties: air-source and geothermal.
Air-source heat pumps make the most sense in moderate climates. They take the warm air inside and transfer it outside, cooling you down. Or vice versaāthe heat pump takes the warm air outside and brings it inside.
If youāre in a not-so-moderate climate, you might be thinking, āHow in the heck does this work in the dead of winter? There isnāt any warm air outside to move into my house!ā Well, thereās always some warm air outside, even when itās freezing. But youāre right: If youāre in an extreme climate, an air-source heat pump likely wonāt be sufficient.
That doesnāt mean youāre out of luck, though! For folks in super chilly climates, a dual-system approach might be worth considering. Basically, you add an electric heater or gas furnace that switches on when using the heat pump system would be too inefficient. It even works automagically: The heat pump constantly monitors its own efficiency, and when it senses it needs a bit more help heating your home, it makes the switch over to the other system.
Geothermal heat pumps use the same transfer principleābut between the air inside your home and the ground outside your home. This works especially well in those colder climates because the temperature underground is usually steadier (and warmer) year-round. That makes geothermal heat pumps more efficient. They are, however, more expensive to install.
Do I really want a heat pump?
Heat pumps offer a good number of benefits.
- Theyāre efficient, producing two or three times more heat than the energy they use.
- Theyāre cost-effective, turning efficiency into lower operating costs. Theyāre also less expensive up front than separate furnace and air conditioning systems.
- Theyāre environmentally conscious, emitting nothing into the air because they run on electricity.
- They offer great humidity control, operating the same asāor better thanātraditional systems.
- Theyāre safer, because thereās no no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or toxic emissions.
Of course, making an informed decision also means looking at the cons. And there are some pretty big ones when it comes to heat pumps:
- They perform poorly in cold weather, unless youāre using a dual heating system.
- Theyāre noisy, although not any more than a typical air conditioning system.
- Theyāre less common than traditional HVAC solutions, so finding an up-to-date technician can be tricky. (We have you covered!)
- They may increase your electric billāalthough your gas bill should decrease.
- Theyāre less durable over time.
- They require more maintenance than a traditional system.
So, whatās right for me?
Give us a call! We can help you determine if a heat pump is the right fit for your unique scenario. Weāre Centreville and Northern Virginiaās trusted HVAC pros, and weād love to help you choose your next steps for heating and cooling your home.