Heat pumps are becoming more popular across the country. Once thought of as only good for milder climates, heat pumps are now widely used in colder climates too. And with increased efficiency levels, they can be a very cost-effective form of heat. Here are 3 things about heat pumps every home owner should know.
#1: Heat Pumps Lower Utility Bills
High-efficiency heat pumps are now a cheaper way to heat than gas furnaces in many places. Local costs for electricity and natural gas vary, but in many places you’ll lower your utility bills by using an efficient heat pump. Here’s why. Heat pumps maximize the electricity they use. You get a return on the electricity as high as 5 to 1. Here’s what that means. With a space heater, you get a 1 to 1 return. You use 1 kW of electricity and get the equivalent of 1 kW of heat. With heat pumps, the electricity isn’t used for heating directly. It is used to cycle refrigerant. In heating mode, the refrigerant absorbs heat from outside and carries it into the house to release it. When in cooling mode, that action is reversed. It’s the refrigerant that does the heating and air conditioning.
Depending on the efficiency of the heat pump, you’ll get up to 5 times more heat from 1kW of electricity than you would with a space heater. That level of efficiency will produce lower energy bills than high-efficiency gas furnaces. In the last 15 years heat pump efficiency has increased as consumers have demanded more efficient models. A typical 15-year old heat pump offers 8 SEER for cooling efficiency and 5.5 HSPF for heating efficiency. Today’s average heat pump is a 16 SEER model with 8.5 HSPF. Models are available with over 20 SEER and up to 13 HSPF. Now, with dual fuel heat pumps designed to work in a system with a gas furnace, you can have the benefits of a heat pump even in a cold climate. The heat pump is used when temperatures are above 40. The system switches to the furnace then, because heat pumps aren’t effective in very cold weather.
#2: Heat Pumps Offer Comfortable Heating
Older heat pumps were criticized for being inefficient and not producing air that was very warm. Now, with improved technology, the air coming out of your heating grate will feel as warm as air from a gas furnace. You won’t have to wait for a long time to get a cool house warmed up, for example, when you return home from work. In addition, if you choose a 2-stage or modulating heat pump to go with a variable speed air handler, you can experience very balanced temperatures in your home with very little temperature fluctuation and no warm/cold spots. Most homeowners who switch to a heat pump are very satisfied with their performance.
#3: Heat Pumps are Durable
With proper maintenance, a heat pump can last 20 years or longer, with minimal costly repairs. When you have a heat pump maintained every 1-2 years, about the same schedule gas furnaces should be serviced, you’ll get excellent longevity from most models.
Summary
Heat pumps are growing as a segment of the heating market. If you are interested in learning more about, find quality sites online that contain well-written and objective heat pump reviews. Those that contain heat pump prices are also very helpful. Take a look at Trane, American Standard, or Carrier heat pump prices and you might be surprised at how affordable heat pumps can be. Today’s heat pumps are efficient, more versatile with the development of dual fuel heat pumps, and more durable than ever before. Heat pumps also give you the opportunity to create a very comfortable indoor environment in all seasons. When homeowners know these 3 things about heat pumps, they may realize it’s a good time to consider one for their home.
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