In Gainesville, heat pumps can be a popular option for heating and cooling your house.
They look about the same as an air conditioner. In fact, they work in a similar fashion during hot weather. Due to a reversing valve, they can move warmth in the opposite direction as well as add warmth to your house in the winter.
Not sure if you use a heat pump or an air conditioner? Just find the model number on the outdoor unit and run it online. If you discover you have a heat pump, or you’re considering purchasing one, discover how this HVAC equipment keeps homes comfortable.
How Heat Pumps Run
Heat pumps depend on a refrigeration system similar to an air conditioner. Most can run like a ductless mini-split, because they can heat and cool. Heat pumps use an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to move humidity. The outdoor unit also uses a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that work as a heat sink to help move humidity effectively.
Summertime Cooling
When your heat pump is cooling, the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. Air from indoors blows over the coil, and the refrigerant extracts humidity. Water in the air also condenses on the coil, dropping into the condensate pan below and moves away. The ensuing dehumidified air circulates through the ductwork and back into your residence.
During this time, the refrigerant passes through a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This constricts the refrigerant, causing it to get hotter. As it flows through the condensing coil, the outside fan and metal fins help to exhaust heat to the exterior. The refrigerant travels back inside, moving through an expansion valve that cools it greatly, prepping it to begin the process all over again.
When your heat pump is installed and maintained appropriately, you’ll have efficient cooling comparable to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is heating, the heat exchange cycle happens the opposite way. By moving in the opposing direction, refrigerant extracts heat from the outdoor air and adds it into your house to warm the interior.
Heat pumps operating in heating mode are most effective when the temperature is warmer than freezing outside. If it turns too chilly, a backup electric resistance heater kicks on to keep your residence cozy, but your heating expenses rise as a result.
Heat pumps are on longer than furnaces since the air doesn’t become as hot. This helps maintain a more stable indoor temperature. Also, because heat pumps move hot air rather than generating it from a fuel source, they can operate well above 100% efficiency. You should expect 30–40% savings on your heating bills by installing a heat pump.
Book Heat Pump Installation or Service Today
Heat pumps are a green choice and economical. They are an alternative to the traditional AC/furnace setup and should have the same amount of maintenance—one service in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’re interested in installing a heat pump, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the Expert to contact. We’ll size and install your unit to match your heating and cooling demands. And then we’ll support our installation with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To learn more, contact us at 352-414-4006 today.