How Energy Efficient Are Heat Pumps?
Many American homes use conventional HVAC systems for their air conditioning needs. These are either electric or gas units, and some are quite inefficient. Luckily, there’s a better and more energy-efficient substitute you should consider exploring: heat pumps.
There are various types of heat pumps. Today, air-source heat pumps are the most popular. Even though a lot of people associate them with heating, they can also cool. They pull heat from outside and use it to heat a house, but they can also do the opposite to cool a home. If your property doesn’t have ducts, don’t worry; they also come in a ductless variant called a mini-split or ductless heat pump.
Geothermal heat pumps mimic the workings of air-source heat pumps. However, they draw heat from below. Water-source heat pumps rely on a water loop to either reject heat during the summer or absorb heat from the loop and circulate it during the winter.
The last type, gas heat pumps, are relatively new. They’re powered by natural gas, making them suitable for places where natural gas is inexpensive.
So, what makes heat pumps energy-efficient, and why should you contact our technicians at Guaranteed Comfort Heating & Cooling to install one in your home in Windsor? Read on to learn more.
Heat Pumps Only Move Heat
Heat pumps work like refrigerators. Using similar mechanical principles, they transfer heat from cool areas to warm areas, making the cool areas cooler and vice versa. But, there’s one significant difference between them and furnaces and air conditioners — they only transfer heat, they don’t produce it. As a result, they’re an economical solution for heating your house on cold winter nights and cooling it on hot summer days.
Better SEER Ratings
SEER, which refers to the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, measures energy efficiency. A high value indicates greater energy efficiency. As of 2006, it’s required that every residential system has a minimum seasonal energy efficiency ratio of 13.
Thus, if you choose to purchase a heat pump manufactured after 2006, you’re almost guaranteed to create substantial savings. However, if you were to upgrade from a SEER 10 to 14, you can cut down power consumption by approximately 30%.
Variable Speed Technology
Many HVAC systems only provide two options: on or off. On the other hand, variable speed heat pumps operate at the optimum speed required to ensure you’re comfortable while conserving energy. Rather than simply switching from on to off to regulate your home’s temperature, they can operate at varying output levels in line with the prevailing conditions.
On hot days, they’ll run at maximum output, while on cooler days, they’ll turn it down a notch. They’re an excellent energy-efficient option for heating or cooling your house compared to conventional systems that run at single speeds. They also offer many other benefits.
These include:
- Less noise
- Cleaner air
- Reduced humidity
- Fewer temperature swings
Two-Stage Compressors
Old heat pumps typically used single-stage compressors that operated at full capacity. This was inefficient. On the other hand, new models use two-stage compression, which is much more efficient.
Instead of operating at full capacity, they ensure the pump runs close to the heating or cooling capacity depending on the situation. This feature can cut down on your electricity costs significantly. In fact, it can reduce the amount of electricity you use for heating by almost 50%.
Eliminate Fossil Fuels
Combustion fuels such as propane and oil can contribute significantly to your utility costs. Oil heating can cost almost $2,000 annually. That’s almost double the cost compared to using heat pumps. By switching to an energy-efficient heat pump, you can drastically reduce your spending on heating.
If you’d like to make even greater savings, then you should consider opting for a geothermal heat pump. Although these heat pumps are costly to install, they can cut your energy costs by up to 70%. Plus, they’re good for the environment.
Get a Heat Pump
Installing a heat pump system from scratch isn’t a straightforward process. Rather, it requires technical know-how. In Windsor, ON, and the surrounding areas, you can get professional assistance from Guaranteed Comfort Heating & Cooling. Our technicians are licensed and trained, and we have operated for more than 25 years. So, you’re guaranteed to get quality service. Aside from heating and cooling installations, we also offer repairs, upgrades, and much more. To learn more about heat pump installation and our other services, call us today.