In Atlanta, heat pumps can be a popular option for heating and cooling your residence.
They look almost like an air conditioner. In fact, they run in a similar fashion during high temperatures. Due to a reversing valve, they can move humidity in the opposite direction as well as add warmth to your residence in the winter.
Not sure if you have a heat pump or an air conditioner? Simply locate the model number on the outdoor unit and look it up online. If it turns out you own a heat pump, or you’re thinking over purchasing one, find out how this HVAC unit keeps residences comfortable.
How Heat Pumps Run
Heat pumps depend on a refrigeration system similar to an air conditioner. Most can work similar to a ductless mini-split, as they can heat and cool. Heat pumps have an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to shift warmth. The outdoor unit also has a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that function as a heat sink to help shift humidity properly.
Summertime Cooling
When your heat pump is cooling, the refrigerant begins in the evaporator coil. Air from inside the house moves over the coil, and the refrigerant sucks out heat. Water in the air also condenses on the coil, dropping into the condensate pan below and flows away. The resulting dehumidified air moves through the ductwork and back into your home.
At the same time, the refrigerant passes through a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, forcing it to get hotter. As it flows through the condensing coil, the outside fan and metal fins help to discharge heat to the exterior. The refrigerant heads back indoors, moving through an expansion valve that lowers its temperature it considerably, readying it to begin the process all over again.
When your heat pump is put in and maintained correctly, you’ll have efficient cooling equivalent to an energy-saving air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is heating, the heat exchange cycle happens the other way around. By flowing in a different direction, refrigerant extracts heat from the outdoor air and vents it into your residence to warm the inside.
Heat pumps operating in heating mode are most useful when the temperature is above freezing outside. If it turns too frigid, a backup electric resistance heater turns on to keep your house comfy, but your heating costs go up as a result.
Heat pumps run longer than furnaces because the air doesn’t turn as warm. This helps keep a more balanced indoor temperature. Also, because heat pumps shift heat rather than generating it from a fuel source, they can work well above 100% efficiency. You can anticipate 30–40% savings on your heating expenses by using a heat pump.
Request Heat Pump Installation or Service Now
Heat pumps are good for the environment and economical. They replace the standard AC/furnace system and require the same amount of maintenance—one inspection in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’d like to install a heat pump, Peachtree Service Experts is the Expert to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your unit to match your heating and cooling requirements. And then we’ll support our services with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. For more information, contact us at 678-235-9699 today.