Do you LOVE the concept of clean heat but just can’t quite wrap your head around how a heat pump actually works? You aren’t alone, despite all the talk about converting to a more energy-efficient HVAC system, many people don’t really understand the mechanics of how a heat pump can keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
We’d like to help you gain a better understanding of heat pumps so you can make an educated decision when it comes to updating your HVAC system.
Understanding Heat Pumps
A heat pump offers a high efficient state-of-the-art electric technology that is designed to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. In technical terms, it’s a reversible, mechanical-compression cycle refrigeration system installed outside the home to extract and redistribute air.
OK…but how does it work?
A heat pump is a single unit that is installed outside your home and will act as both a heater and an air conditioner. It draws heat from the environment and during the winter it moves the energy indoors to heat and during the summer, it moves the energy outdoors to cool.
Traditional units take air and with cooling and heating elements, use fuel to change the temperature of the air before sending it out. While a heat pump requires electricity to run, it delivers more energy than it uses by concentrating and moving heat rather than generating it.
There are three main types of heat pumps: air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters.
Air Source Heat Pumps extract heat from the air outside and distribute it inside your home. During warmer months, this process is reversed, cooling your home by pulling heat out of your interior space.
Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pumps extract heat from the ground during cold weather utilizing an underground pipe system. The heat is then distributed throughout your home. In the summer, the process is reversed to cool your home.
Heat Pump Water Heaters are a highly efficient way to heat water, using electricity to pull heat from the surrounding air they transfer the energy to water in your water tank. Heat pump water heaters are up to 3xs times more efficient than conventional water heaters since they use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat.
Switching over to a heat pump system can bring a lot of advantages too. Investing now in a heat pump means you can sit back and enjoy years of lower energy costs, better air quality, cleaner energy and increased safety. If you want to read more detail about the benefits of converting to a heat pump, check out our latest blog on the subject here.
Rebates are available but you’ll have to act fast!
Currently, the New York State clean heat program offers rebates of up to $14,000 when you upgrade your heating and cooling system and install a heat pump. While some form of the rebate will likely be in place for a while, the amount you’ll be able to qualify for will be drastically reducing very soon!
In fact, if you’ve been on the fence about installing a heat pump, NOW is the time. Schedule your installation by March 1st to ensure you aren’t left out in the cold! If you want to find out more about heat pumps, we encourage you to give us a call at 845-447-3347.
