How a Heat Pump Cools Your Home
In Fort Lauderdale, heat pumps can be a popular option for heating and cooling your home.
They look very similar to an air conditioner. In fact, they operate in a similar fashion during warm weather. Due to a reversing valve, they can transfer warmth in the opposite direction as well as add warmth to your residence when temperatures drop.
Not sure if you have a heat pump or an air conditioner? Simply find the model number on the outdoor unit and look it up online. If you find you own a heat pump, or you’re thinking over getting one, discover how this HVAC equipment keeps houses comfy.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps depend on a refrigeration system much like an air conditioner. Most can work akin 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 move humidity. The outdoor unit also has a compressor and is encircled by metal fins that work as a heat sink to help transfer warmth effectively.
Summertime Cooling
When your heat pump is cooling, the refrigerant begins in the evaporator coil. Air from within the house blows over the coil, and the refrigerant sucks out heat. Wetness in the air also condenses on the coil, falling into the condensate pan below and drains away. The resulting cool air flows through the ductwork and back into your house.
During this time, the refrigerant passes through a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This concentrates the refrigerant, forcing it to heat up even more. As it flows through the condensing coil, the outside fan and metal fins help to discharge heat to the outdoors. The refrigerant travels back into your house, traveling through an expansion valve that chills it considerably, prepping it to start the process all over again.
When your heat pump is installed and maintained correctly, you’ll have efficient cooling comparable to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is heating, the heat exchange process takes place in reverse. By moving in the opposing direction, refrigerant removes heat from the outdoor air and vents it into your residence to warm the inside.
Heat pumps operating in heating mode are most efficient when the temperature is warmer than freezing outside. If it turns too frigid, a backup electric resistance heater kicks on to keep your residence comfortable, but your heating expenses go up as a result.
Heat pumps work longer than furnaces because the air doesn’t become as heated. This helps keep a more balanced indoor temperature. On top of that, because heat pumps transfer warmth rather than creating it from a fuel source, they can perform well above 100% efficiency. You should receive 30–40% savings on your heating bills by getting a heat pump.
Book Heat Pump Installation or Service Now
Heat pumps are good for the environment and economical. They are an alternative to the standard AC/furnace configuration and need 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 call. We’ll size and install your unit 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 now.
