In Philadelphia, heat pumps can be a popular choice to heat and cool your home.
They appear almost like an air conditioner. In fact, they operate in the same way during high temperatures. Due to a reversing valve, they can move humidity in the opposite direction as well as add comfort to your residence when it's cold.
Not sure if you have a heat pump or an air conditioner? Simply track down the model number on the outdoor unit and run it online. If it turns out you have a heat pump, or you’re thinking over getting one, find out how this HVAC equipment keeps homes comfortable.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps have a refrigeration system like an air conditioner. Most can run like a ductless mini-split, since they can heat and cool. Heat pumps rely on an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is sent through these coils to move heat. The outdoor unit also uses a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that act as a heat sink to help transfer warmth effectively.
Summertime Cooling
When your heat pump is cooling, the refrigerant starts in the evaporator coil. Air from inside the house is set over the coil, and the refrigerant sucks out heat. Water in the air also condenses on the coil, falling into the condensate pan below and drains away. The ensuing cool air flows through the ductwork and back into your home.
Meanwhile, the refrigerant moves a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This concentrates the refrigerant, causing it to heat up even more. As it moves through the condensing coil, the outdoor fan and metal fins help to discharge heat to the exterior. The refrigerant moves back inside, moving through an expansion valve that cools it significantly, preparing it to go through the process all over again.
When your heat pump is installed and maintained correctly, you’ll enjoy efficient cooling on par with a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is heating, the heat exchange procedure takes place in reverse. By traveling in a different direction, refrigerant pulls heat from the outdoor air and vents it into your home to warm the interior.
Heat pumps operating in heating mode are most useful when the temperature is warmer than freezing outside. If it turns too chilly, a backup electric resistance heater kicks on to keep your house comfortable, but your heating expenses go up as a result.
Heat pumps operate longer than furnaces as the air doesn’t turn as warm. This helps sustain a more balanced indoor temperature. On top of that, because heat pumps shift warmth rather than making it from a fuel source, they can perform well above 100% efficiency. You should receive 30–40% savings on your heating costs by installing a heat pump.
Schedule Heat Pump Installation or Service Today
Heat pumps are a green choice and money-saving. They are a substitute for the traditional AC/furnace system and should have the same amount of maintenance—one appointment in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’d like to install a heat pump, Stallion Heating Plumbing Air Conditioning is the contractor to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your equipment to meet your heating and cooling needs. And then we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. For more information, contact us at 215-278-9690 today.