More and more people are looking for ways to become more energy-efficient, from the types of vehicles they drive to the lighting fixtures they install in their homes. As you may be aware, your home’s HVAC system is one of the biggest contributors to your annual utility costs. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates heating and cooling account for about 50 percent of a typical home’s energy usage. They also estimate that homeowners who replace an electric heating system with a heat pump may save around $459 on heating costs annually, while those replacing oil systems may save nearly $1000.
As you can see, finding ways to improve your home’s energy usage is important, not just for the planet but for your budget, too. One of the ways you can do this is by replacing old and inefficient heating and cooling equipment with high-efficiency HVAC equipment. And, one of the most efficient HVAC systems available on the market today is the heat pump. In this article, we’ll talk about how heat pumps work, the different types available, and how you can learn more about installing one in your home.
What is a heat pump, and how does it work?
With a traditional combustion heating system, like a furnace, fuel is burned to create heat for your home. With a heat pump system, no fossil fuel is required, because this type of heating system instead moves heat, rather than converting fuel to heat. They use heat from the outdoor air or the earth to heat your home. Because of this, they are a highly efficient type of heating equipment. What’s more, during the summer months, your heat pump can do double-duty as an air conditioner by reversing the process, drawing the heat out of the air inside your home, and moving it outdoors into the air or the ground.
What are the different types of heat pumps?
The most common type of heat pump system is the air-sourced heat pump. This operates by drawing the heat from the outdoor air and bringing it indoors (and reversing the process in the summer to provide cooling.) In the past, many people in the Northeast did not consider heat pumps as a primary source of heating. But, technologies have improved that allow air-source heat pumps to be a legitimate choice, even in chilly climates.
Air-sourced heat pumps come in different configurations that allow them to replace different types of old, inefficient equipment. Ducted systems are an ideal choice for people who are replacing an old system (such as a furnace) that used ductwork to deliver heat throughout the home. People who have used electric heating in their homes may not have ductwork. No worries – ductless systems are available for these situations.
Geothermal heat pumps, on the other hand, extract the heat from the ground (or sometimes from a water source) rather than the air. They are more expensive than air-source heat pump systems but are built to last for a long time and provide such incredible energy efficiency that the system generally pays itself off in less than a decade.
How can I learn more about installing a heat pump in my home?
At Family Danz, we can help you get the right type of heat pump for your home, and we’re dedicated to providing you with high-quality Bryant® heat pumps. They’re designed to bring just the right level of heating and cooling to your home, use a non-ozone-depleting refrigerant, and have achieved an ENERGY STAR rating. Not to mention, there are often rebates and incentives available on high-efficiency HVAC equipment that can help you save money upfront on a new heat pump system.
To learn more, simply give Family Danz a call at 518.427.8685, and we’ll be more than happy to tell you more about quality Bryant heat pump systems and help you decide if one is right for your home.