In Memphis, heat pumps can be a popular option for heating and cooling your home.
They appear almost like an air conditioner. In fact, they operate in a similar fashion during hot weather. Since they have a reversing valve, they can transfer humidity in the opposite direction as well as add comfort to your home when temperatures drop.
Not sure if you use a heat pump or an air conditioner? Just find the model number on the outdoor unit and run it online. If it turns out you use a heat pump, or you’re thinking about purchasing one, find out how this HVAC equipment keeps residences comfy.
How Heat Pumps Run
Heat pumps have a refrigeration system much like an air conditioner. Most can operate similar 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 pumped through these coils to move humidity. The outdoor unit also contains a compressor and is enclosed by metal fins that work as a heat sink to help transfer heat efficiently.
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 heat. Wetness in the air also condenses on the coil, falling into the condensate pan below and flows away. The resulting cool air flows through the ductwork and back into your residence.
Meanwhile, the refrigerant moves a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, causing it to heat up even more. As it moves through the condensing coil, the outdoor fan and metal fins help to emit heat to the outdoors. The refrigerant travels back into your house, passing through an expansion valve that cools it considerably, prepping it to start the process from the start.
When your heat pump is put in and maintained appropriately, you’ll enjoy efficient cooling similar to an energy-efficient air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is set to heat, the heat exchange process takes place in reverse. By moving in the opposing direction, refrigerant extracts heat from the outdoor air and vents it into your residence to warm the interior.
Heat pumps running in heating mode are most effective when the temperature remains above freezing outside. If it turns too cold, a backup electric resistance heater starts to keep your house comfortable, but your heating expenses increase as a result.
Heat pumps operate longer than furnaces since the air doesn’t become as heated. This helps sustain a more balanced indoor temperature. Also, because heat pumps transfer hot air rather than generating it from a fuel source, they can work well above 100% efficiency. You should receive 30–40% savings on your heating costs by switching to a heat pump.
Book Heat Pump Installation or Service Today
Heat pumps are good for the environment and cost-effective. They are an alternative to the traditional AC/furnace setup and need the same amount of maintenance—one inspection in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’re interested in installing a heat pump, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the company to contact. We’ll size and install your unit to fit your heating and cooling demands. And then we’ll uphold our installation with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. For more information, contact us at 901-235-1196 today.