Answers to Common Questions About Heat Pumps

As the weather gets colder, you start to think about the shift from air conditioning to heat in your home. Perhaps this situation applies to you: the cold has started to set in and you have your heating system ready to go, but don’t feel like you are getting the most out of it, or you know that it needs to be replaced but don’t know where to turn. Do you get a 3 ton heat pump or stick to common resources like oil and propane for heat?

Today, we are going to answer some questions about heat pumps that should help you see the benefits of a heat pump and determine if one is right for you.

What is a Heat Pump? In order to determine if a heat pump is for you, you have to know exactly what one is. A heat pump is a standalone appliance that has two components and uses refrigeration technology and electricity to serve as a heating and cooling source for homes and offices. The two components of a heat pump are the condenser unit, which is located outside the home, and an indoor unit that brings the hot or cold air into a home.

How Does a Heat Pump Work? A heat pump will extract air from the outside and transfers it to refrigeration coolant. This increases the temperature and prepares it to be sent to the indoor unit and bring the heat into the home.

What are the Benefits of a Heat Pump? One of the main benefits of a heat pump is that it offers higher efficiency rates. Traditional electric heaters and space heaters are typically one unit of heat per unit of electricity for a 100 percent efficiency. The efficiency of a heat pump can go up dramatically because the electricity consumed is only to power the fans, the compressor, and to pump the heat into your home, capable of providing three units of heat for every unit of electricity. This means a 300 percent efficiency rate.

What Will This Do for My Heating and Electric Bills? A single unit heat pump that is used on a daily basis will bring an increase to your electric bill by about 50 to 100 dollars per month. However, because the heat pump reduces the need for fuel, it can reduce the amount in oil needed to heat your home and save you money there.

What if You Use a Heat Pump with Solar Electricity? In short, there are a lot of benefits to using solar electricity to power your heat pump. For many homes that use solar electricity, any power generated that is not used in the home is credited back by the electric company and offsets the bill each month. This doesn’t mean the home doesn’t get an electric bill for the power used at night, during storms or very hot days in the summer. With that in mind, when you do use solar panels for electricity with a heat pump, the cost is effectively reduced by almost 40 percent annually.

Can Heat Pumps Stop Working in the Cold? They can, but it takes extreme cold temperatures to do that. It is all based on the output of the unit. A heat pump will produce 100 percent of its output to the highest efficiency in 30-degree weather. But as the temperature drops, so does the output level. When that happens, the heat pump needs to work harder to maintain temperatures. This affects the efficiency of the heat pump and all units have a stopping point where it can no longer function.

Can I Heat My Home with Just a Heat Pump? It depends on where you live. If you are in a warmer climate where harsh winters aren’t as likely, you can probably get through the winter with a heat pump heating your home. However, in northern states like Maine, you should have a backup plan for heat if there is any trouble with your heat pump.

So, if it sounds like a heat pump is for you, start shopping with Budget Air Supply today to get yours. With a wide selection from brands and sizes including a 3 ton heat pump, we have everything you need to keep your home warm and welcoming all winter long.

Browse from a selection of Goodman, Rheem and more for heat pumps of all sizes including a 1.5 ton heat pump, a 3 ton heat pump, and even a 5 ton heat pump.

Feel free to contact Budget Air Supply with any questions about efficiency and operation of heat pumps and what they can do for your home. We want to make sure you are satisfied as our customers and will be happy to assist you in any way we can with your purchase. Our goal is low prices for you so you can get the best equipment and parts to heat your home this winter.