Heat Pump: Top Questions and Answers

Heat pumps have been extremely popular among the heating and cooling industry over the past couple of decades. They are known for their energy-efficiency advantages as well as their affordability. Whether you already have one in your Aiken, South Carolina, home, or you’re thinking about making the switch, you likely have several questions. Keep reading to learn about the top questions and answers relating to heat pumps.

How Does a Heat Pump Work?

Even though they are called heat pumps, this type of system doesn’t create heat. Instead, it captures heat and transfers it to another place. It works much like your refrigerator in that it expels heat as a byproduct.

When a heat pump is functioning to heat your home, it will absorb heat from the air outside. Even if the outside air is cold, there is still heat inside of it. Once it has enough heat, it expels the heat into refrigerant, which is then used to heat the air and the air handler circulates the heated air throughout your home.

When the heat pump is cooling your home, it follows the same concept, except in reverse order. It pulls in hot air from the rooms inside your home, transfers the heat through the refrigerant, and distributes the warm air outside of the house.

What Are Air-to-Air Heat Pumps?

An air-to-air heat pump transfers heat from the outside air to heat your home and transfers indoor air out to cool your house. An earth-to-air heat pump, however, uses geothermal technology to heat and cool your home. It transfers heat from the ground into your home to heat it. It then removes heat from your home and transfers it to the ground to provide an air conditioning effect.

What Size of Heat Pump Does a Home Need?

The size of your home determines the size of the heat pump you’ll need. In addition to the overall size of your home, the size of the rooms inside the home matter as well when choosing a heat pump. Because you are not a heat pump expert, it is best to let a professional HVAC contractor determine the best heat pump for your home.

The age of your home, as well as its form, will also influence the type of heat pump to install. Older homes tend to have less insulation, meaning they need a more powerful heating source. If you choose to enhance the insulation throughout the home, this can affect the load calculation of your heat pump. This will also help to save money on both your heating and cooling expenses.

Does a Heat Pump Require Maintenance?

Just like any heating and cooling system, a heat pump needs regular maintenance. Not only does this extend the life of the heat pump, but it will also increase its energy efficiency. A heat pump, just the same as most heating and cooling systems, uses a filter to clean the air. It is important to change the filter regularly to optimize your home’s indoor air quality. Cleaning the heat pump should be left in the hands of a professional HVAC contractor.

Should I Install a Heat Pump Myself?

The installation of any heating and cooling system will impact its overall effectiveness. Unless you’re a heating and cooling specialist with prior heat pump installation experience, it’s best to let a professional HVAC contractor install your heat pump. Hiring a licensed contractor is also important because many manufacturers will void a warranty if a qualified professional didn’t install the product.

Doc Savage Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. specializes in a variety of heat pump installation, repair, and maintenance services. If you’re thinking about making the switch to a heat pump, give us a call today at 706-426-9262. We can assess your home’s precise heating and cooling needs to determine which HVAC system will deliver maximum energy efficiency.

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