Heat Pumps

A heat pump uses refrigerant to move heat from one location to another (much like an air conditioner).  In fact, the two systems are almost identical in the way they operate during the summer, extracting heat from inside your home and exhausting it outside.  Due to an ingenious reversing valve, a heat pump can also operate in reverse, allowing it to heat your home in the winter.  As long as it isn’t too cold outside, the refrigerant can absorb thermal energy from outdoor air and deposit it inside.

The advantages of a heat pump include the following:

• Pairs well with Solar Panels.  If you have solar panels or are thinking of installing them, you should know that they are compatible with Heat Pumps.  Powering your efficient electric Heat Pump system with free, renewable solar energy cuts your utility bills year round and lowers your environmental impact even more than using a heat pump alone.    
• Year-round comfort.  The dual operating capability of a heat pump is the primary reason many people consider upgrading to one.  After all, you simplify your heating and cooling needs when one piece of HVAC equipment keeps your home comfortable in all four seasons.
• Lower operating costs and greener energy.  The costs associated can be much cheaper and are much kinder to the environment than traditional gas or oil boilers, using fossil fuels.

The disadvantages of a heat pump are as follows:

• Higher installation cost.  Because heat pumps are more complex, they cost more to purchase and install than a standard fossil fuel boiler.
• Reduced efficiency in cold weather.  Effectively extracting thermal energy from outdoor air becomes more difficult as temperature drops.  To overcome this, heat pumps feature a less efficient backup electric heating element.  This ensures your home stays comfortable no matter how cold it gets outside, but it raises your energy bills in the process.  Fortunately, cold-climate heat pumps are efficient up to temperatures of -15 degrees and are continually improving, making them increasing efficient in very cold conditions.