Don’t let the name heat pump fool you. It doesn’t just heat your house. In fact, it is one of the most efficient and economical cooling systems, (and it
also provides heat when you need it).
The name of this system refers to how it functions. A heat pump “pumps” or “moves” heat from one place to another, whether it’s from your house to the outside or the other way around. This all-in-one system runs on electricity to maintain comfortable temperatures indoors, especially in warmer climate locations like Florida where the winters are mild.
Today, we explore what a heat pump HVAC system is and if one is right for you.
What does a heat pump do?
If you understand how an air conditioner works, you will have a firm grasp on the process a heat pump uses to provide cold air to your living spaces. This complicated machinery uses the laws of physics and principles of thermodynamics to manipulate the refrigerant’s state in a perpetual cycle from gas to a liquid and back again.
But what makes the heat pump unique is that it can reverse this process to collect heat from outside resources and bring it indoors.
But how does a heat pump work in cold weather?
If you have ever walked by an air conditioner unit in the summer, you know that the air it kicks out is hot. That heat was gathered from the warm indoor air and expelled outside. To heat your home, a heat pump does the opposite. By reversing the direction of airflow, a heat pump takes the heat from outside resources and pumps it indoors to provide your house with warmth.
It might not seem like there is any warmth out there when you’re shivering while wrapped up in 4 sweaters, but a heat pump is designed to find the heat in unexpected places.
Heat pump systems can collect and expel heat to and from 3 main sources:
- Air
- Water
- Earth
These systems are called Air Source Heat Pumps and Geothermal Heat Pumps. Let’s discuss these types of heat pump HVAC systems in detail.
Air Source Heat Pumps
Air source heat pumps come in a variety of styles.
Split vs Packaged Units
When deciding on the heat pump that’s right for you, you’ll come across split and packaged unit options. At first, the names may seem confusing, but the difference is easy to remember.
A split system is split in two. One unit is indoors and the other is located outdoors.
A packaged unit is one single box that contains both the evaporator and condenser coils outdoors. Packaged units always use ductwork to connect to the inside of a home.
Ducted Air Source Heat Pumps
If your home has a ventilation system, your cooling and heating technician will use that ductwork to install your new heat pump HVAC system. They work very similarly to a traditional unit without the need for a furnace.
Ductless Air Source Heat Pumps
Ductless systems are extremely easy to install. A small hole is made in the wall and that’s it! Although they are economical, their performance is limited.
Most people who use ductless versions of heat pumps such as the mini-split system will require more than one unit installed to heat and cool an entire home.
Geothermal Source Heat Pumps
Geothermal source heat pumps transfer heat to and from your home to a water source like a well or underground. These systems are not suitable for everyone. Factors that need to be taken into consideration include:
- Lot size
- Landscape
- Subsoil
If a geothermal source heat pump is right for you, the benefits are fantastic.
- Lower lifetime costs
- Takes up less space
- Up to 60% less energy usage
- Reliable and durable construction
Which Heat Pump HVAC System is Right for Me?
There are so many heat pump options to choose from that it’s difficult to decide on your own. To make an educated decision that you can feel confident in, you need a trained and certified heating and cooling contractor to discuss your property and your budget.
If you are interested in new heat pump installation and want your questions answered, our knowledgeable and friendly staff will be happy to help you. When it comes to cooling comfort, you can rely on the professionals.
Action Air Conditioning is your trusted source for cooling system solutions for everyone living in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or Pasco County.
Get started and contact an Action Air Conditioning representative today!