In West Palm Beach, heat pumps can be a popular solution for heating and cooling your home.
They seem about the same as an air conditioner. In reality, they operate in a nearly identical way during high temperatures. Due to a reversing valve, they can transfer warmth in the opposite direction as well as add warmth to your house in the winter.
Not sure if you rely on a heat pump or an air conditioner? Just track down 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 purchasing one, learn more about how this HVAC equipment keeps houses comfy.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps use a refrigeration system like an air conditioner. Most can run like 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 sent through these coils to transfer warmth. The outdoor unit also has a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that work as a heat sink to help shift warmth properly.
Summertime Cooling
In cooling mode, the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. Air from within the house moves over the coil, and the refrigerant sucks out warmth. Wetness in the air also condenses on the coil, falling into the condensate pan below and moves away. The ensuing dehumidified air moves through the ductwork and back into your house.
At the same time, the refrigerant flows a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, causing it to warm up. As it moves through the condensing coil, the exterior fan and metal fins help to emit heat to the outdoors. The refrigerant moves back into your house, traveling through an expansion valve that chills it considerably, preparing it to start the process all over again.
When your heat pump is put in and maintained properly, you’ll have efficient cooling similar to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is set to heat, the heat exchange procedure occurs the opposite way. By flowing in a different direction, refrigerant removes heat from the outdoor air and disperses it into your home to warm the inside.
Heat pumps working in heating mode are most efficient when the temperature remains above freezing outside. If it becomes too cold, a backup electric resistance heater starts to keep your residence cozy, but your heating bills rise as a result.
Heat pumps are on longer than furnaces because the air doesn’t become as warm. This helps keep a more even indoor temperature. Additionally, because heat pumps move hot air rather than making it from a fuel source, they can perform well above 100% efficiency. You can anticipate 30–40% savings on your heating bills by switching to a heat pump.
Schedule Heat Pump Installation or Service Now
Heat pumps are a green choice and cost-effective. They replace the standard AC/furnace configuration and require the same amount of maintenance—one service in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’re interested in installing a heat pump, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the Expert to contact. We’ll size and install your equipment to meet your heating and cooling needs. And then we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To find out more, contact us at 561-629-1826 right away.