In Niagara Falls, heat pumps can be a popular choice to heat and cool your home.
They appear about the same as an air conditioner. In reality, they run in the same way during warm weather. Since they have a reversing valve, they can shift humidity in the opposite direction as well as add comfort to your residence in the winter.
Not sure if you rely on a heat pump or an air conditioner? Simply track down the model number on the outdoor unit and check it online. If it turns out you own a heat pump, or you’re considering getting one, find out how this HVAC system keeps houses cozy.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps depend on a refrigeration system like an air conditioner. Most can operate like a ductless mini-split, as they can heat and cool. Heat pumps depend on an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is pumped through these coils to transfer heat. The outdoor unit also uses a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that function as a heat sink to help transfer humidity effectively.
Summertime Cooling
When your heat pump is cooling, the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. Air from within the house is set over the coil, and the refrigerant removes humidity. Moisture in the air also condenses on the coil, dropping into the condensate pan below and moves away. The following cold air flows through the ductwork and back into your house.
Meanwhile, the refrigerant flows a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, forcing it to warm up. As it flows through the condensing coil, the exterior fan and metal fins help to exhaust heat to the exterior. The refrigerant heads back inside, traveling through an expansion valve that lowers its temperature it significantly, prepping it to go through the process from the beginning.
When your heat pump is installed and maintained correctly, you’ll enjoy efficient cooling comparable to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is heating, the heat exchange cycle takes place the other way around. By traveling in the opposite direction, refrigerant pulls heat from the outdoor air and adds it into your home to warm rooms.
Heat pumps operating in heating mode are most useful when the temperature remains above freezing outside. If it turns too frigid, a backup electric resistance heater starts to keep your residence comfy, but your heating bills increase as a result.
Heat pumps operate longer than furnaces because the air doesn’t get as hot. This helps sustain a more balanced indoor temperature. Additionally, because heat pumps move hot air rather than generating it from a fuel source, they can operate well above 100% efficiency. You should expect 30–40% savings on your heating bills by installing a heat pump.
Schedule Heat Pump Installation or Service Today
Heat pumps are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. They replace the standard AC/furnace system and should have the same amount of maintenance—one inspection in the spring and another in the fall.
If you want to install a heat pump, Niagara Home Services by Enercare is the company to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your system to meet your heating and cooling requirements. And then we’ll support our services with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. For more information, contact us at 289-273-2229 now.