Is a Heat Pump Right for You?

What is a heat pump?  In some ways the name can be deceiving because heat pumps do not just deal with heating your home.  In order to keep things simple, a heat pump is basically a device that can work as both an air conditioner and a furnace, making it a very efficient option for heating and cooling. So… how does it work?

Let’s break it down.

In the summer a heat pump works as an air conditioner by bringing cooled air into your home.  When the temperatures get colder, a heat pump reverses its process through a reversing valve, and it will bring warm air into your home.  In most places heat pumps are NOT meant to replace furnaces or other heating units.  Heat pumps cannot heat homes effectively when the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.  Once the temperature drops to that point or lower, a traditional heating method needs to be used.

Why are heat pumps beneficial?

First, for those of you lucky dogs that live in areas where it never drops below 20 degrees, you win because you would not need a furnace or other heating means if you have a heat pump.  For those of us who are not quite as lucky we can still benefit from a heat pump because it will reduce the length of time that we need to run our furnace for, thereby saving money and energy on gas.  For example, if the temperatures do not dip to the 20s until December, you will not have to turn your furnace on until then.

Though a heat pump may be a higher initial investment than a standard air conditioner, its efficiency will give you great savings.  If you are in the market for a new air conditioner, a heat pump might actually be the best option for you and your home.  Contact FLAME for more information!