In Nashville, heat pumps can be a popular option for heating and cooling your home.
They appear about the same as an air conditioner. In fact, they operate in the same way during hot weather. Because of a reversing valve, they can move humidity in the opposite direction as well as add warmth 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 look it up online. If you find you use a heat pump, or you’re thinking about purchasing one, discover how this HVAC unit keeps homes comfy.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps depend on a refrigeration system like an air conditioner. Most can run akin to a ductless mini-split, since they can heat and cool. Heat pumps rely on an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to shift warmth. The outdoor unit also uses a compressor and is encircled by metal fins that function as a heat sink to help transfer heat efficiently.
Summertime Cooling
When your heat pump is cooling, the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. Air from within the house moves over the coil, and the refrigerant removes warmth. Water in the air also condenses on the coil, dripping into the condensate pan below and flows away. The resulting cold air moves through the ductwork and back into your house.
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 moves through the condensing coil, the outside fan and metal fins help to emit heat to the exterior. The refrigerant heads back into your house, moving through an expansion valve that cools it significantly, readying it to go through the process from the beginning.
When your heat pump is put in and maintained properly, you’ll get efficient cooling equivalent to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
In heating mode, the heat exchange procedure occurs the other way around. By traveling in the opposite direction, refrigerant removes heat from the outdoor air and vents it into your home to warm rooms.
Heat pumps running in heating mode are most efficient when the temperature is above freezing outside. If it turns too frigid, a backup electric resistance heater kicks on to keep your home comfortable, but your heating expenses go up as a result.
Heat pumps work longer than furnaces since the air doesn’t become as hot. This helps keep a more even indoor temperature. On top of that, because heat pumps shift heat rather than creating it from a fuel source, they can operate well above 100% efficiency. You should expect 30–40% savings on your heating expenses by switching to a heat pump.
Book Heat Pump Installation or Service Right Away
Heat pumps are a green choice and money-saving. They are a substitute for the traditional AC/furnace configuration and require the same amount of maintenance—one inspection in the spring and another in the fall.
If you want to install a heat pump, Donelson Air Service Experts is the Expert to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your equipment 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 615-953-9885 now.