Each day, Rostron Premium Home Services gets dozens, if not hundreds, of phone calls from local homeowners inquiring about our various services. As such, we are able to interests and trends that come and go. Recently, we’ve been receiving a number of questions about HEAT PUMPS.
We’re here to share some information about these unique systems, including how they work and their benefits.
WHAT IS A HEAT PUMP?
A heat pump is an energy-efficient heating and cooling system that, from a distance and even up close, looks like a standard outdoor AC unit, or condenser, and pairs with an indoor coil, just like a traditional ducted AC system. However, its operation and capabilities set it apart. Unlike a natural gas furnace or boiler, a heat pump uses only electricity to both heat and cool your home by transferring heat between the indoors and outdoors, depending on the season. In winter, it extracts heat from the outside air (even in cold temperatures) to warm your home, and in summer, it reverses the process to cool it. Pretty cool, right? This dual functionality makes heat pumps a versatile, eco-friendly alternative to traditional HVAC systems.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
To understand how a heat pump works, it’s important to set groundwork. If you know how an AC unit works, you can skip the next paragraph. If not, it’s important to understanding heat pump technology.
In a traditional AC system, the indoor coil (usually near the furnace or within the air handler) draws heat and humidity from the air inside your ducts. The blower in your indoor unit then pushes air through your supplies, cooling your home. Where does all that heat go, though? It travels in the form of refrigerant through copper lines to the outdoor condenser, which releases it outside. Then, the refrigerant returns to the coil to transport more heat out of your home.
(Don’t get us wrong, it’s a very basic explanation of how air conditioning works, but we hope the process makes sense)
“But Rostron Premium Home Services, how does a heat pump work?”
We’re glad you asked and we hope you’re sitting down for this one. The process for heat pumps is the exact opposite. In the chilly weather, it pulls heat from the air outside, even if there isn’t much of it, and puts it back into your ductwork. The outdoor heat pump reverses the flow of refrigerant to make this possible.
IS A HEAT PUMP THE SAME THING AS A HYBRID SYSTEM?
The short answer is no. Heat pumps are part of a hybrid system. A full hybrid system generally has a heat pump that is utilized on chilly days, but a secondary/auxiliary heat source, like a furnace or boiler, that will kick on when it gets too cold. Since heat pumps pull heat from outside, they begin to lose the ability to heat when the air gets colder. It just makes sense, right?
That’s also why heat pumps are very popular in areas that have mild winters, like Florida. Since the air never gets cold enough to render it useless, it’s a great option. However, back in the great state of New Jersey, hybrid systems are a better option. Technology has also advanced far enough that there are options for “Cold Climate” heat pumps that offer 100% output at single-digit temperatures, depending on the size of your home.
WHO IS A CONTENDER FOR A HEAT PUMP?
A heat pump system can be a great option for anyone, but it’s going to depend on your situation, of course. We generally recommend heat pump units for anyone who is looking to…
- Be Ecofriendly – As a renewable resource, electricity is much nicer to the Earth than natural gas. A heat pump system can reduce your home’s carbon footprint by up to 40%!
- Save Money – Top-tier rebates are available for heat pump units, along with saving money from the efficiency of your new HVAC system.
- Install Solar Panels – Since heat pumps prioritize the use of electricity, you’ll be getting the most of your panels. Already have solar panels? You’ll just make sure you already have the capacity to handle the heat pump system.\
WHY DOESN’T EVERYONE USE HEAT PUMPS?
You may be wondering why everyone doesn’t take advantage of this technology. There is really only one small thing that hurts this seemingly flawless option.
You may not see savings right away, unfortunately. When you’re looking to heat your home on a chilly autumn day, a heat pump will be more efficient than a gas furnace. However, when it comes to really cold days, a heat pump will be more expensive and may even become ineffective at heating, and you’ll need your auxiliary source anyway.
IN ALL FAIRNESS…
We’re here to inform and provide information so you can make the proper decision for your home, whether it be now or in the future. However, we did want to address a few misconceptions about heat pumps:
Heat pumps are more expensive to install.
It’s true, yes. Heat pumps are more expensive than installing a traditional heating system, like a furnace. How much more expensive is going to depend on what you already have in your home. If you have central AC, the installation will be a tad more expensive and you’ll be getting a brand-new AC unit. If you currently have a boiler in your home, adding ductwork, refrigerant lines, and an air handler will be much more expensive than replacing the boiler.
Natural gas sources like furnaces and boilers are better in a power outage.
Heat pumps will not work in a power outage because they use electricity. But did you know that your furnace or boiler won’t work either? Either type of system utilizes electricity for things like blower motor function, circulator pumps, and thermostats.
Heat pumps are new technology and there’s a higher chance of something going wrong.
The concept of heat pumps were actually invented before the central AC units we know and love today. They’ve become more popular in New Jersey and other cold areas more recently, but have been a staple in warm climates since the 1970s.
(We don’t condone the bullying of heat pumps. If you see anyone peddling fallacies about them, let them know that Rostron Premium Home Services doesn’t appreciate it, alright?)
DO YOU SEE A HEAT PUMP IN YOUR FUTURE?
Think a heat pump might be a good option for your home? Was your AC struggling at the end of the season? Trying to plan for the future?
Whether or not you’re on board with the idea of heat pumps, it’s important to find a company you can trust to go over the options clearly. Rostron Premium Home Services has provided service to Monmouth and Ocean Counties since 1989 and are ready to get you set up with a free estimate for replacement.
