How a Heat Pump Cools Your House
In Fort Lauderdale, heat pumps can be a popular choice to heat and cool your home.
They seem very similar to an air conditioner. In actuality, they run in the same way during warm weather. Since they have a reversing valve, they can transfer humidity in the opposite direction as well as add comfort to your residence when it’s cold.
Not sure if you have a heat pump or an air conditioner? Just locate the model number on the outdoor unit and run it online. If you discover you own a heat pump, or you’re considering installing one, discover how this HVAC unit keeps residences cozy.
How Heat Pumps Run
Heat pumps use a refrigeration system similar to an air conditioner. Most can run akin to a ductless mini-split, since they can heat and cool. Heat pumps use an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is sent through these coils to shift heat. The outdoor unit also contains a compressor and is enclosed by metal fins that function as a heat sink to help move humidity efficiently.
Summertime Cooling
When your heat pump is set to cooling, the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. Air from inside the house is distributed over the coil, and the refrigerant sucks out heat. Moisture in the air also condenses on the coil, falling into the condensate pan below and drains away. The ensuing cold air moves through the ductwork and back into your residence.
During this time, the refrigerant flows a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This concentrates the refrigerant, forcing it to get hotter. As it moves through the condensing coil, the outdoor fan and metal fins help to emit heat to the exterior. The refrigerant moves back indoors, traveling through an expansion valve that cools it significantly, readying it to begin the process from the beginning.
When your heat pump is replaced and maintained properly, you’ll get efficient cooling similar to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is heating, the heat exchange cycle takes place the other way around. By moving in the opposing direction, refrigerant removes heat from the outdoor air and adds it into your house to warm the interior.
Heat pumps working in heating mode are most useful when the temperature remains above freezing outside. If it becomes too chilly, a backup electric resistance heater turns on to keep your house comfortable, but your heating bills go up as a result.
Heat pumps are on longer than furnaces since the air doesn’t get as heated. This helps maintain a more balanced indoor temperature. Additionally, because heat pumps shift heat rather than generating it from a fuel source, they can work well above 100% efficiency. You should expect 30–40% savings on your heating expenses by installing a heat pump.
Request Heat Pump Installation or Service Right Away
Heat pumps are environmentally friendly and economical. They replace the regular AC/furnace configuration and require the same amount of maintenance—one checkup in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’d like to install a heat pump, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the contractor to contact. We’ll size and install your unit to match your heating and cooling requirements. And then we’ll back our installation with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To learn more, contact us at 954-736-4314 right away.
