03 Jan, 2023
There are many ways to control your home's temperature, and you may wonder which system is best for you. We take a deep look into the most common questions about heat pumps so that you can better decide how you want to heat and cool your property. What is a heat pump, and what is its purpose? Heat pumps adequately replace furnaces and air conditioners for all climates. Similar to your refrigerator, heat pumps use power to move heat from one room to another, making the warm room warmer and the cool one cooler. In reality, a heat pump functions just like an air conditioner. The heat pump can also operate in cooling mode, in which case electric heating power is produced by reversing the refrigerant flow. This heat transfer method may be more effective than employing electric backup heating strips with an air conditioner. A heat pump simply moves air with different temperatures and does not produce any heat. The heat or energy utilized to power the heat pump may come from the ground or the air, depending on the type of heat pump. It's feasible that a heat pump will replace conventional furnaces or central air conditioning requirements in areas with moderate weather. What is the difference between forced air and heat pumps? Forced air furnaces are among the most widely used heating systems and are usually powered by electricity, oil, or gas. A forced-air furnace distributes heating through air vents in your residence using a flame, oil, gas, or another conduit. The air is then circulated directly to the furnace for reheating when it has had time to cool. Since it doesn't rely on air from outside the house, this heating system is advantageous in extremely cold environments because it makes it simpler to achieve warmer temperatures in less time and with less energy. This means that a forced-air furnace, as opposed to a heat pump, would be more advantageous in any temperature that faces subzero temperatures. A heat pump uses air from outside to heat your property in the winter and keep it cool in the summer. The heat pump continuously moves warm air from one location to another. It can take advantage of warm air in the winter and circulate it appropriately, and in the summer, it can remove warm air from your house to cool it. Are heat pump systems efficient? They can be very efficient in climates that don't typically experience harsh winters. Temperate climates are usually the best for heat pump systems. Since heat pumps are fueled by electricity, you may significantly reduce your reliance on fuel. Some heat pump models can achieve a seasonal energy efficient rating (SEER) of 20 or higher. Do heat pumps use less energy than furnaces? Despite being electric, heat pumps consume less energy and heat more effectively than gas-powered furnaces. Under ideal circumstances, a heat pump can transfer up to 300% more energy than it uses. Gas furnaces marketed as high-efficiency are only about 95% effective. The benefits of heat pumps Opting for a heat pump can be an excellent first step if you want to reduce your carbon footprint and adopt a greener lifestyle. You can reduce your household's greenhouse gas emissions by using clean hydroelectricity instead of gas for heating. Heat pumps are considerably more effective than electric baseboard heaters. In terms of cooling efficiency, they outperform standard window A/C units by up to 50%. Ready to invest in a heat pump? At GTAAire Heating & Cooling, we offer heat pump installation services . You can rely on our team of trained professionals for a clean installation. Call us at 905-763-8100 or fill out our online contact form to reach us.