What Is a Heat Pump

If you are looking for the right device to maintain the temperature of your house, a heat pump is what you should look at. The device offers year-round climate control for your home. When buying a new device, there are many questions that you may have. In this article, you will find all the answers to questions like what is a heat pump, how it works and if it is the right device for you.

Heat pumps are devices that are capable of heating as well as cooling your house as the weather changes. A lot of homeowners prefer a heat pump over air conditioners and furnaces that are installed separately. The device is also used to separate heating and cooling systems.

How Heat Pumps Work?

The technology used in heat pumps is similar to the technology used in air conditioners and refrigerators. Just like heat pumps, refrigerators and air conditioners also consist of coils that are responsible for the cooling. In fact, a refrigerator has a heat pump working in cooling mode connected to it. The first coil is located inside the insulator box and the condensing coil is underneath or behind the refrigerator which helps its interiors remain cool. The mechanism absorbs all the heat from inside and releases it outside. The same mechanism is used by an air conditioner that takes the heat from inside your house and releases it outside.

If you’re wondering how a heat pump works, we will explain the mechanism simply to you. Using electricity, the mechanism of this device moves the heat from one place to another. Which means, it can both heat and cool your house.

The main element in the working of a heat pump is a refrigerant. Evaporation and condensations are the processes involved in the mechanism of a heat pump. The heat is transferred by the circulation of the refrigerant through evaporation and condensation. There are two exchanger coils where the refrigerant is pumped to by the compressor of a heat pump. While one coil evaporates the refrigerant at low pressure in order to absorb heat from the surroundings, the other coil is responsible for condensing it at high pressure. The compressor compresses the refrigerant in its route from one coil to another. This way, the device releases the heat that was absorbed from the surroundings. When the cycle is reversed, the heat pump is able to release cool air into your home.

The reason why heat pumps remain effective in winters is because even at a certain temperature, there is a certain amount of heat which is drawn by the heat pump in winters and the same heat is rejected by its mechanism in the summer.

What is the Benefit of Having a Heat Pump

Heat pumps come with more than one benefit. Let’s start with the most obvious one:

1. They work as both a heater and an air conditioner
   Instead of installing two separate climate-control systems, all you need is one heat pump. This is especially an advantage when you want to save space in a small home.
2. They are cost and environment efficient
   The mechanism of heat pumps is a lot more energy efficient. In fact, many home-owners vouch for heat pump efficiency that helps them save extra costs. Compared to other climate-control devices, heat pumps have a lower carbon emissions. These days, there are also some heat pumps that can also heat up your water thereby reducing your water heating bill by at least 25%.
3. Heat pumps are easier to maintain
   Cleaning and maintaining a heat pump is much easier than cleaning and maintaining a furnace or an air conditioner for that matter. Since the mechanism is comparatively simpler, heat pumps are known for their easy maintenance and cleaning.
4. Heat pumps are a safer option that furnace
   Carbon mono-oxide leaks are common in a furnace which requires you to keep an eye and invest in regular maintenance. Heat pumps on the other hand are electric and have no process of combustion in their mechanism. This is why they are much safer than furnaces.
5. Heat pumps are durable
   On an average, a heat pump lasts for 15-20 years in maintenance that is a lot lesser than furnaces and air conditioners.

Heat Pump Maintenance

Maintaining a heat pump is easier than maintaining two different climate-control devices. You can go for annual or seasonal maintenance to ensure that your device is working fine all year long. Given that heat pump cleaning is easy and can be done using just a step tool and vacuum cleaner hose, this device is a no-fuss device for homeowners with a busy lifestyle. You must ensure that there is no residue like snow or grass or other dirt stuck to the external part of the heat pump. It is also recommended that you should appoint a professional inspection of your heat pump once every year.

What to Look for in a Heat Pump

There are a variety of heat pumps in the market which come with a variety of functions and features. Some will also heat the water for you. When you are looking for a heat pump, you should always check the warranty, efficiency, the brand and the rating of the device. Ensure that you go through the types of heat pumps before you buy (read on to find You should also give good thought to the size of the device to ensure that it is not consuming a lot of space.

How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost

A heat pump can cost anywhere $2000-$8000. This usually includes installation. You can also get a single-room heat pump that will cost you $500 on an average. The heat pump cost also depends on the type of heat-pump you chose. Making sure that your heat pump is well maintained gives it a life-span for 15+ years which makes it a value for money.

How Much Electricity Does a Heat Pump Use

Many homeowners prefer heat pumps for their energy efficiency. They are the most cost-effective form of climate-control. They usually cost between 20-30 cents an hour and since the heat is retained for a long time, a normal bill should not be for more than $2-$3 a day.

What Size Heat Pump Do I Need?

The size of the heat pump depends on the size of your home and the area that the heat pump needs to operate for. Calculate the total square feet and generally allot one ton per 500 feet.

How Does a Heat Pump Work With a Furnace

Many homeowners use heat pumps and furnaces together. This is a dual-fuel system in case where the demand for heat is more. The gas furnace makes the indoor temperature reach a certain amount and then the heat pump takes over to maintain consistency and energy efficiency.

How to Use a Heat Pump Most Efficiently

Following are some ways in which you can increase your heat pump efficiency:

• Do not change the temperature frequently.
• Keep the outdoor unit clean.
• Optimize fan setting and air flow direction
• Keep the filters of the indoor unit clean
• Go for professional inspection and professional repair in case of faults.

What are the major components of a heat pump system?

Following are the major heat pump components:

• Condenser
• Evaporator
• Compressor
• Coil
• Refrigerant

Heat Pump vs Furnace

Furnaces are prone to fire and carbon-monoxide gas leaks. However, furnaces are electric and work with combustion. Compared to heat pumps, furnaces are high-maintenance and more harmful towards the environment. Heat pumps also offer a better air quality than furnaces. This is why it is better to opt for heat pump vs furnace. However, since temperatures in Canada go extremely low, it is recommended to have gas furnaces as a backup.

Heat Pump vs AC

Homeowners prefer heat pump vs AC because they are more energy efficient. This is also because heat pumps offer a dual setting of hot and cold which makes them more versatile. However, choosing one over the other depends on the climate. In case of extreme climates, an AC provides continuous cooling. However, since heat pumps have a more balanced mechanism, they retain most of the natural elements of the air around you and offer more comfortable cooling which is comparatively less dryer than the AC.

Types of Heat Pumps

Following are the most popular types of heat pumps:

• Air Source
  If you are looking for inexpensive climate control in moderate climate, air source heat pumps are preferable. Within these, you can go for duct or ductless heat pumps.
• Water Source
  Just like the name suggests, water source heat pumps absorb heat from water. They are more common in areas close to a water source like a lake or a pond. However, they are not preferred in suburban areas.
• Geothermal
  Geothermal heat pumps use thermal energy stored underground and transfer heat in just like air source heat pumps. They are more efficient however, they are bulky and require excavation which makes their installation trivial.

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