How a Heat Pump Cools Your House

In the U.S., heat pumps can be a popular choice to heat and cool your house. 

They seem very similar to an air conditioner. In actuality, they run in a similar fashion during high temperatures. Due to a reversing valve, they can shift warmth in the opposite direction as well as heat your house in the winter. 

Not sure if you use a heat pump or an air conditioner? All you have to do is find the model number on the outdoor unit and look it up online. If you find you own a heat pump, or you’re thinking over purchasing one, find out how this HVAC system keeps homes comfy. 

How Heat Pumps Run 

Heat pumps use a refrigeration system similar to an air conditioner. Most can run like a ductless mini-split, since they can heat and cool. Heat pumps depend on an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to shift heat. The outdoor unit also has a compressor and is enclosed by metal fins that act as a heat sink to help shift humidity efficiently. 

Summertime Cooling 

When your heat pump is cooling, the refrigerant starts in the evaporator coil. Air from inside the house is set over the coil, and the refrigerant sucks out humidity. Water in the air also condenses on the coil, falling into the condensate pan below and moves away. The ensuing cool air circulates through the ductwork and back into your house. 

Meanwhile, the refrigerant passes through a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, forcing it to heat up even more. As it moves through the condensing coil, the exterior fan and metal fins help to exhaust heat to the outside. The refrigerant heads back indoors, moving through an expansion valve that lowers its temperature it significantly, readying it to start the process from the start. 

When your heat pump is put in and maintained correctly, you’ll get efficient cooling similar to an energy-saving air conditioner. 

Wintertime Heating 

In heating mode, the heat exchange process happens in reverse. By traveling in a different direction, refrigerant pulls heat from the outdoor air and disperses it into your home to warm the interior. 

Heat pumps running in heating mode are most efficient when the temperature is warmer than freezing outside. If it becomes too cold, a backup electric resistance heater kicks on to keep your home cozy, but your heating costs increase as a result. 

Heat pumps work longer than furnaces since the air doesn’t become as hot. This helps maintain a more even indoor temperature. Additionally, because heat pumps move 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 costs by switching to a heat pump. 

Request Heat Pump Installation or Service Today 

Heat pumps are environmentally friendly and economical. They are an alternative to the traditional AC/furnace configuration and need the same amount of maintenance—one inspection in the spring and another in the fall. 

If you’re interested in installing a heat pump, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is the company to call. We’ll size and install your unit to meet your heating and cooling requirements. And then we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. For more information, contact us at 866-397-3787 today. 

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