In Buffalo, heat pumps can be a popular choice to heat and cool your house.
They look about the same as an air conditioner. In fact, they work in a nearly identical way during the summer. Because of a reversing valve, they can move heat in the opposite direction as well as add warmth to your house when temperatures drop.
Not sure if you rely on a heat pump or an air conditioner? Just locate the model number on the outdoor unit and check it online. If you discover you have a heat pump, or you’re considering buying one, discover how this HVAC unit keeps homes cozy.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps use a refrigeration system like an air conditioner. Most can work like a ductless mini-split, because they can heat and cool. Heat pumps depend on an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to shift warmth. The outdoor unit also uses a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that act as a heat sink to help shift warmth properly.
Summertime Cooling
In cooling mode, the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. Air from inside the house blows over the coil, and the refrigerant extracts humidity. Moisture in the air also condenses on the coil, dropping into the condensate pan below and drains away. The ensuing dehumidified air flows through the ductwork and back into your house.
At the same time, the refrigerant flows a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This concentrates the refrigerant, forcing it to warm up. As it flows through the condensing coil, the exterior fan and metal fins help to emit heat to the exterior. The refrigerant moves back inside, passing through an expansion valve that cools it greatly, preparing it to start the process from the beginning.
When your heat pump is installed and maintained correctly, you’ll get efficient cooling comparable to an energy-saving air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is heating, the heat exchange process occurs the other way around. By flowing in the opposing direction, refrigerant extracts heat from the outdoor air and vents it into your home to warm the interior.
Heat pumps running in heating mode are most efficient when the temperature is warmer than freezing outside. If it gets too frigid, a backup electric resistance heater starts to keep your residence comfy, but your heating bills rise as a result.
Heat pumps are on longer than furnaces because the air doesn’t become as heated. This helps sustain a more stable indoor temperature. Additionally, because heat pumps transfer heat rather than generating it from a fuel source, they can perform well above 100% efficiency. You can anticipate 30–40% savings on your heating bills by getting a heat pump.
Book Heat Pump Installation or Service Now
Heat pumps are environmentally friendly and economical. They replace the standard AC/furnace configuration and need the same amount of maintenance—one inspection in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’d like to install a heat pump, Sunbeam Service Experts is the company to call. We’ll size and install your equipment to meet your heating and cooling requirements. And then we’ll back our services with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To find out more, contact us at 716-427-6807 today.