As the world moves further away from fossil fuels as an energy source, you may be looking for a replacement technology that won’t send your electricity bills skyrocketing. You may even have electric heat already and need to find a way to reduce the consumption as well as add cooling for sweltering days. A heat pump may be the solution.
Here are four considerations when deciding whether to install a heat pump system in your home.
You need both heating and cooling
Believe it or not, air conditioners use heat pump technology. They work by transferring heat from inside your home to outside where the temperature is higher. When an HVAC specialist talks about a heat pump, however, they are referring to a piece of equipment that can switch between heating and cooling modes to provide both. If you already have an air conditioner providing cooling and you would like to have that same system provide heating as well, a heat pump might be right for you.
Your primary source of heat is electrical
If you already use electric heat, switching to a heat pump will allow you to reap the benefits of a higher efficiency while giving you the option to provide cooling as well. This does not mean you remove your electric heating system since it provides supplemental heating for extreme temperatures.
Milder climate
The efficiency of a heat pump working in winter, called its Coefficient of Performance (COP), drops dramatically in severe weather. If you experience extreme temperatures in winter, you need to ensure that you have another source of heat for the worst time of the season. This usually takes the form of electric heaters whose efficiency becomes greater than an air source heat pump during cold snaps. If you live in a mild climate, however, you may be able to benefit from a heat pump to keep your home comfortable year-round.
Shoulder seasons
Living in an extreme climate doesn’t necessarily mean you should reject the idea of a heat pump. For shoulder seasons, your home (and bank account) could benefit from the lower energy consumption of a heat pump. If you already have a system for the coldest temperatures, you can use your heat pump for cooling in summer and heating in spring and fall as well as mild winter days. You’ll still use it for the majority of the year.
If you need help figuring out whether a heat pump is right for you, give us a call. If you’ve already decided and want to install one in your home, we can also assist you.
