In Richmond, heat pumps can be a popular choice to heat and cool your house.
They seem almost like an air conditioner. In fact, they run in a nearly identical way during high temperatures. Since they have a reversing valve, they can transfer humidity in the opposite direction as well as heat your house 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 it turns out you own a heat pump, or you’re thinking over buying one, discover how this HVAC system keeps homes cozy.
How Heat Pumps Run
Heat pumps depend on a refrigeration system much like an air conditioner. Most can operate like a ductless mini-split, since they can heat and cool. Heat pumps have an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is pumped through these coils to shift warmth. The outdoor unit also has a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that work as a heat sink to help move heat efficiently.
Summertime Cooling
In cooling mode, the refrigerant starts in the evaporator coil. Air from indoors moves over the coil, and the refrigerant removes warmth. Water in the air also condenses on the coil, falling into the condensate pan below and flows away. The following dehumidified air moves through the ductwork and back into your residence.
At the same time, the refrigerant moves a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, causing it to get hotter. As it moves through the condensing coil, the outdoor fan and metal fins help to discharge heat to the outside. The refrigerant travels back inside, traveling through an expansion valve that cools it greatly, readying it to begin the process from the start.
When your heat pump is put in and maintained appropriately, you’ll enjoy efficient cooling similar to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is set to heat, the heat exchange process takes place the other way around. By moving in the opposite direction, refrigerant removes heat from the outdoor air and vents it into your home to warm rooms.
Heat pumps operating in heating mode are most useful when the temperature is above freezing outside. If it turns too chilly, a backup electric resistance heater starts to keep your residence cozy, but your heating expenses go up as a result.
Heat pumps run longer than furnaces since the air doesn’t get as heated. This helps sustain a more stable indoor temperature. On top of that, because heat pumps shift heat rather than generating it from a fuel source, they can perform well above 100% efficiency. You can anticipate 30–40% savings on your heating expenses by installing a heat pump.
Book Heat Pump Installation or Service Right Away
Heat pumps are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. They are a substitute for the regular AC/furnace setup and should have the same amount of maintenance—one service in the spring and another in the fall.
If you want to install a heat pump, Eveready Service Experts is the contractor to contact. We’ll size and install your system to match your heating and cooling needs. And then we’ll support our installation with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To learn more, contact us at 804-548-4480 now.