In Kingston, heat pumps can be a popular option for heating and cooling your residence.
They appear very similar to an air conditioner. In fact, they operate in a nearly identical way during high temperatures. Due to a reversing valve, they can transfer humidity in the opposite direction as well as add warmth to your residence when temperatures drop.
Not sure if you rely on a heat pump or an air conditioner? All you need to do is locate the model number on the outdoor unit and run it online. If it turns out you own a heat pump, or you’re thinking about getting one, find out how this HVAC equipment keeps houses comfortable.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps rely on a refrigeration system much like an air conditioner. Most can work akin to a ductless mini-split, as they can heat and cool. Heat pumps depend on an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to move warmth. The outdoor unit also has a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that function as a heat sink to help transfer heat properly.
Summertime Cooling
In cooling mode, the refrigerant begins in the evaporator coil. Air from within the house blows over the coil, and the refrigerant extracts humidity. Moisture in the air also condenses on the coil, dropping into the condensate pan below and drains away. The ensuing cool air circulates through the ductwork and back into your house.
Meanwhile, the refrigerant moves a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, forcing it to warm up. As it flows through the condensing coil, the outdoor fan and metal fins help to emit heat to the outside. The refrigerant heads back indoors, traveling through an expansion valve that lowers its temperature it considerably, prepping it to begin the process from the start.
When your heat pump is put in and maintained correctly, you’ll get efficient cooling equivalent to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is set to heat, the heat exchange cycle takes place in reverse. By flowing in the opposite direction, refrigerant removes heat from the outdoor air and adds it into your residence to warm the interior.
Heat pumps operating in heating mode are most efficient when the temperature remains above freezing outside. If it gets too chilly, a backup electric resistance heater starts to keep your residence comfy, but your heating expenses increase as a result.
Heat pumps operate longer than furnaces because the air doesn’t get as warm. This helps keep a more balanced indoor temperature. On top of that, because heat pumps move heat rather than making it from a fuel source, they can operate well above 100% efficiency. You should expect 30–40% savings on your heating expenses by getting a heat pump.
Schedule 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 require the same amount of maintenance—one service in the spring and another in the fall.
If you want to install a heat pump, Kingston Home Services by Enercare is the contractor to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your unit to match your heating and cooling demands. And then we’ll uphold our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To find out more, contact us at 613-817-1591 right away.