Heat Pumps
A heat pump is an efficient form of electrically based heating and cooling. Unlike other heating and cooling systems, which convert fuel or electricity directly into heat, a heat pump moves heat from one place to another, in the same manner as an air conditioner.
Even at relatively cold temperatures, the heat pump can extract heat from outside air (air source heat pump) or from the ground or ground water (ground source heat pump) to heat your home, though efficiencies diminish as temperatures cool. During warm summer days it will function in reverse and provide cooling.
“Split System” Heat Pumps
A split system heat pump keeps homes comfortable all year long. In summer, it draws heat out of your home to cool it. In the winter, it draws heat from outside air into your home to warm it. Many heat pumps have a booster electrical-resistance heater that automatically heats outside air even more. Outside air always has heat in it — even at very low outdoor temperatures. Like a central air conditioner, a heat pump includes a compressor, fan, outdoor coil, indoor coil, and a refrigerant. The efficiency of heat pumps is rated using SEER (for cooling efficiency) and HSPF (for heating efficiency). A heat pump uses electricity as its power source.
The basic components of a heat pump are:
- An outdoor Heat Pump section
- A matching indoor Air Handler or Gas (natural or propane) or Oil Furnace with coil
- Ductwork to transfer the heated or cooled air throughout the home.
Year-round, Energy-efficient Indoor Comfort for Moderate Climates
A central heat pump helps maintain comfortable temperatures inside your home and reduces humidity levels year-round. Homes located in regions with severely cold temperatures may either require supplemental heating or be better served with an air conditioner/furnace combination.
Cleaner Air
As a heat pump system draws air out of various rooms in the house through return air ducts, the air is pulled through an air filter, which removes airborne particles such as dust and lint. Sophisticated filters may remove microscopic pollutants, as well. The filtered air is then routed to air supply ductwork that carries it back to rooms. Whenever the air conditioner is running, this cycle repeats continually, constantly filtering and cleaning the air in your home.
Quieter Operation
Because the compressor-bearing unit of the typical central heat pump system is located outside the home, the indoor noise level from its operation is much lower than that of a free-standing air conditioning unit.