How a Heat Pump Cools Your Residence
In Fort Lauderdale, heat pumps can be a popular solution for heating and cooling your house.
They appear very similar to an air conditioner. In fact, they operate in a similar fashion during warm weather. Since they have a reversing valve, they can move heat in the opposite direction as well as heat your house when temperatures drop.
Not sure if you rely on a heat pump or an air conditioner? All you need to do is track down the model number on the outdoor unit and check it online. If you find you have a heat pump, or you’re considering getting one, learn more about how this HVAC equipment keeps residences cozy.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps have a refrigeration system like an air conditioner. Most can operate similar to a ductless mini-split, because they can heat and cool. Heat pumps rely on an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is pumped through these coils to transfer humidity. The outdoor unit also uses a compressor and is encircled by metal fins that function as a heat sink to help move humidity efficiently.
Summertime Cooling
When your heat pump is set to cooling, the refrigerant begins in the evaporator coil. Air from inside the house is distributed over the coil, and the refrigerant removes warmth. Moisture in the air also condenses on the coil, dripping into the condensate pan below and flows away. The resulting cold air circulates through the ductwork and back into your residence.
Meanwhile, the refrigerant flows a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This constricts the refrigerant, leading it to warm up. As it moves through the condensing coil, the exterior fan and metal fins help to emit heat to the exterior. The refrigerant heads back inside, moving through an expansion valve that chills it considerably, readying it to start the process from the beginning.
When your heat pump is installed and maintained correctly, you’ll get efficient cooling on par with an energy-efficient air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is set to heat, the heat exchange process happens the opposite way. By moving in a different direction, refrigerant removes heat from the outdoor air and adds it into your home to warm the inside.
Heat pumps operating in heating mode are most useful when the temperature is warmer than freezing outside. If it turns too frigid, a backup electric resistance heater starts to keep your house comfy, but your heating bills increase as a result.
Heat pumps operate longer than furnaces because the air doesn’t turn as hot. This helps keep a more stable indoor temperature. Also, because heat pumps move heat rather than creating it from a fuel source, they can operate well above 100% efficiency. You should expect 30–40% savings on your heating bills by using a heat pump.
Schedule Heat Pump Installation or Service Today
Heat pumps are good for the environment and cost-effective. They are an alternative to the regular AC/furnace setup and require the same amount of maintenance—one service in the spring and another in the fall.
If you want to install a heat pump, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the company to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your system to meet your heating and cooling requirements. And then we’ll back our services with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To find out more, contact us at 954-736-4314 right away.
