Learning About HVAC Equipment

Heat pumps are highly efficient, all-in-one HVAC solutions that are growing in popularity with many Americans. While they offer many advantages, they aren't the right choice for every home. Below you will find a few of the benefits and potential drawbacks of these systems when compared to traditional HVAC options so that you can make an informed choice for your house.

High Efficiency

Many people are surprised to learn that air conditioners are typically much more efficient than furnaces. While furnaces must convert energy directly into heat, air conditioners only move heat from one location to another. Heat pumps work on the same principle as an air conditioner, reversing the flow of heat transfer between seasons. Because of their method of operation, heat pumps tend to be more efficient than furnaces or boilers for heating. Heat pumps also offer moderate efficiency gains over traditional central air conditioning systems for cooling.

Streamlined Maintenance

The single system approach to heating and cooling can help to streamline and reduce the cost of your hvac maintenance. In most cases, maintaining a heat pump requires the same general steps as maintaining a central air conditioning system, but without the need to schedule separate maintenance appointments for your furnace. Most heat pumps will last about as long or even longer than other modern HVAC systems. You may even be able to get upwards of 20 years out of a heat pump system.

Environmentally-Friendly

Higher efficiency and lower energy costs make heat pumps significantly more friendly to the environment, and they can be helpful if you are trying to reduce your carbon footprint. Additionally, using grid energy to power your heating systems means you can free yourself from CO2-producing combustion from natural gas or oil furnaces. Since heat pumps use electricity for both modes of operation, they are also a good option for homes that want to achieve energy independence. With a correctly sized solar system, a heat pump can be run entirely from solar energy.

Cost

The one true disadvantage of heat pump systems is that they usually cost more than central air conditioners or forced-air heating systems alone. This extra up front cost can be challenging to manage if you are replacing only a single aspect of your home's HVAC system. If your budget is tight, then installing a new heat pump may not be the right option.

On the other hand, it's essential to remember that heat pumps replace all aspects of your home's HVAC system. An accurate apples-to-apples comparison should include the cost of the heat pump versus the cost of both your air conditioner and furnace. In many cases, you may find that a heat pump's long-term advantages outweigh the increased upfront cost.