Heat pumps have become a big talking point in the HVAC industry, and more homeowners are starting to learn about the benefits of using a heat pump instead of the standard air conditioning and furnace set-up. We encourage our customers to look into heat pumps in Bulverde, TX and throughout our service area as an option for any new installation.
What’s Different About a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is similar to an air conditioning system in many ways. Outwardly, it looks exactly like a split system AC, with an outdoor cabinet that houses a compressor, refrigerant coil, and fan, and indoor components that include a second refrigerant coil and a blower to send air into ducts.
What’s different is how the heat pump moves refrigerant. An AC can only circulate refrigerant one direction so that it moves heat out of the house and exhausts it through the outdoor coil. A heat pump can switch the direction it moves refrigerant so that it can either move heat out of the house or move heat into the house. In other words, a heat pump is a refrigerant-based system that can act as both a cooling and heating system.
What Are the Advantages of Using a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps offer several benefits. Here are the main ones:
- Cooling and heating: This is the major benefit for many homeowners. A heat pump is a two-in-one system that takes care of home comfort around the year. It only requires adjusting the thermostat to switch between modes.
- Energy savings: In heating mode, heat pumps cost less to run than either electric or natural gas heat furnaces. This is because heat pumps don’t expend energy to generate heat the way furnaces do; they expend energy to move heat. You can save around $800 a year using a heat pump compared to an electric furnace.
- Safety: Compared to using a natural gas furnace, heat pumps are extremely safe. They don’t emit toxic combustion gases and their exteriors don’t even warm up when in heating mode. People concerned about using natural gas in their homes can welcome a heat pump without worry.
- Reduced carbon emissions: Heat pumps reduce the carbon footprint of a home because of their high efficiency of heat conversion.
Are There Any Drawbacks to a Heat Pump?
A few, and depending on your situation they may not matter.
Heat pumps do have a larger upfront cost than an AC or furnace alone. However, you’ll spend less on a heat pump than installing a new furnace and AC.
Heat pumps can struggle with energy efficiency during extremely cold weather. However, heat pump technology is improving to handle colder weather, and our local climate almost never gives heat pumps problems.
Heat Pump Installation
Is a heat pump a good idea for your home? You may already have an idea about that. For example, if you’re planning to replace your current AC and furnace, a heat pump ought to be high on your list. But you don’t need to make the choice on your own. Our technicians are ready to help you find the best HVAC system for your comfort and energy efficiency.
At Thayer Air Conditioning, your comfort is our #1 priority! Call us to learn more about heat pumps or to schedule service.
