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How do Heat Pumps work?

If you know anything about how refrigerators work, it's easy to understand how heat pumps work. Heat pumps and refrigerators operate on the same principles. Heat pumps can also use the compression cycle to heat, as well.

Essentially, a heat pump transfers heat from one place to another to provider either heating or cooling. When it's in cooling mode, the pump transfers heat out of your home to make it feel cooler. In the heating mode, it transfers heat into your home, making the air feel warmer. Through a closed-circuit system, the heat pump uses refrigerant to transfer the heat. The refrigerant changes states from liquid to gas and back to a liquid as the temperature and pressure change.

Benefits Offered by Heat Pumps

Heat pumps offer considerable advantages for Atlanta homeowners:

• Energy efficiency: One of the reasons that heat pumps are so efficient is their ability to transfer heat instead of generate it from scratch as a standard air conditioner does. According to the Department of Energy, homeowners who currently use electricity for heating can save up to 40 percent of the amount they spend on heating and cooling by installing an air-source heat pump.
• Humidity control: Heat pumps deal with Atlanta's famously humid climate better than standard air conditioners do. That's because the air handler naturally runs at a lower speed for a longer time than other systems, and long cooling cycles are the key to reducing humidity.
• Comfort: With the lower stages of cooling, heat pumps offer superior comfort over standard A/Cs. Most air conditioners and furnaces cycle on at full force and then shut down to stop sending cool air to the home. As a result, it's common to experience cold zones while the system's running and hot zones when it shuts off. With a heat pump, you'll get a continuous stream of cooled air coming into the home and boosting comfort.
• Easy installation: If you currently heat your home with electricity or gas and cool it with an air conditioner, the HVAC installer won't have to make many changes to retrofit the air-source heat pump. The unit will take up about as much space as your air conditioner and furnace do because it is made up of the same two components: the indoor air handler and the outdoor condenser.
• Dual system flexibility: If your home's existing HVAC system needs to be replaced, it can be costly to invest in both a furnace and an air conditioner. By upgrading to a heat pump, you'll get a two-in-one system that heats and cools at a reduced cost.

For answers to questions such as "What is a heat pump?" or "How can I cool my home more efficiently?" contact Reliable Heating & Air. We serve metro Atlanta and the surrounding areas with heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical services.

Understanding the difference between heat pumps and A/C systems will be beneficial when you have to choose one for your Atlanta area home. Deciding between the two systems will depend on the climate you live in and the comfort levels you are accustomed too. Reviewing the pros and cons of each heating and cooling system should make your decision easier and leave you with the satisfaction that you made the right choice for your home.

Heat Pump

Although the difference between heat pump and A/C systems is significant, they work in a similar fashion. Both systems are designed to transfer the heat from inside your home to the outside when in cooling mode. However, a heat pump is fitted with a reversing valve that allows it to transfer the heat from outside into your home when in heating mode. This allows the unit to heat your home without using electric heat strips, which increase energy consumption significantly.

Pros

• Heat pumps are widely considered in the industry as the most efficient heating and cooling systems on the market because, as the Department of Energy notes, they use less energy to get the job done.
• They maintain a consistent temperature throughout the home, eliminating the cold spots common with traditional gas furnaces or heat strips.
• Heat pumps are equipped with auxiliary heat strips — emergency heat — to provide heat in times when the temperature dips below its working threshold.

Cons

• Heat pump systems are more expensive than their straight cool counterparts.
• They are typically not suited for climates where the average temperature is below 30 degrees Fahrenheit without a secondary heat source, which is mostly only applicable to the northern or high elevation parts of Georgia.
• Heat pumps provide a consistent temperature to heat your home. It is not, however, as rapid or intense as gas furnaces or electric heat strips.

Straight Cool Systems With Electric Heat Strips

Straight cool air conditioning systems are fitted with electric heat strips. The straight cool systems are adequate alternatives to the heat pump. This is especially true in northern parts of the country where temperatures commonly dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, rendering a heat pump inefficient. Although the electric heat strips produce adequate heat rapidly, they consume significantly more energy when in use.

Pros

• Straight cool systems are less expensive than a heat pump system to purchase.
• The electric heat strips produce heat rapidly to warm your home.

Cons

• Straight cool systems equipped with electric heat strips use far more electricity than their counterpart when heating your home.
• Heat strips sometimes malfunction and remain on even when the unit is set to cool, doubling the workload on your system while also increasing your electric bill significantly.

Before deciding on which type of system to purchase, schedule an appointment with a heating and air-conditioning contractor and let them evaluate your situation. Knowing the pros and cons as well as the difference between heat pump and A/C systems will help you to make an informed decision and choose the right equipment for your home.

Homeowners in the greater-Atlanta area seeking additional expert advice regarding the difference between heat pump and A/C systems can contact Reliable Heating & Air.

For more then 44 years, Reliable Heating & Air has provided outstanding customer care and support to its valued customers.