How a Heat Pump Cools Your Residence
In Windsor, heat pumps can be a popular option for heating and cooling your home.
They seem about the same as an air conditioner. In fact, they operate in the same way during warm weather. Due to a reversing valve, they can move heat in the opposite direction as well as add warmth to your home when temperatures drop.
Not sure if you have a heat pump or an air conditioner? All you have to do is find the model number on the outdoor unit and look it up online. If it turns out you own a heat pump, or you’re thinking about buying one, learn more about how this HVAC unit keeps homes comfortable.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps have a refrigeration system similar to an air conditioner. Most can operate akin to a ductless mini-split, since they can heat and cool. Heat pumps have an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to transfer heat. The outdoor unit also contains a compressor and is encircled by metal fins that work as a heat sink to help transfer heat effectively.
Summertime Cooling
In cooling mode, the refrigerant begins in the evaporator coil. Air from within the house moves over the coil, and the refrigerant extracts heat. Moisture in the air also condenses on the coil, dropping into the condensate pan below and drains away. The following cold air circulates through the ductwork and back into your home.
Meanwhile, the refrigerant flows a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, causing it to heat up even more. As it moves through the condensing coil, the exterior fan and metal fins help to emit heat to the exterior. The refrigerant heads back inside, passing through an expansion valve that cools it greatly, preparing it to start the process all over again.
When your heat pump is replaced and maintained correctly, you’ll have efficient cooling comparable to an energy-efficient air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is set to heat, the heat exchange process happens the other way around. By flowing in a different direction, refrigerant extracts heat from the outdoor air and adds it into your home to warm the inside.
Heat pumps working in heating mode are most effective when the temperature is warmer than freezing outside. If it gets too cold, a backup electric resistance heater kicks on to keep your home cozy, but your heating costs go up as a result.
Heat pumps work longer than furnaces since the air doesn’t get as heated. This helps keep a more stable indoor temperature. On top of that, because heat pumps move hot air rather than generating it from a fuel source, they can perform well above 100% efficiency. You should expect 30–40% savings on your heating costs by getting a heat pump.
Book Heat Pump Installation or Service Today
Heat pumps are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. They replace the traditional AC/furnace configuration and require the same amount of maintenance—one checkup in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’re interested in installing a heat pump, Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts is the Expert to call. We’ll size and install your unit to meet your heating and cooling needs. And then we’ll support our installation with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To find out more, contact us at 226-773-3357 now.
