How a Heat Pump Works for You Year-Round

Heat pumps are a great way to save energy on heating and cooling and improve indoor comfort in Conway, AR. Instead of using energy to produce heat, heat pumps use energy to move heat from a warm to a cool place. There is heat energy in the outside air even during winter. During cooler months, heat pumps extract heat from the outdoors and move it into your home. During warmer months, the direction is reversed. Heat is extracted from the indoors and moved outside. According to the Department of Energy, heat pumps provide conditioned air to the same space as a conventional heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit for about a quarter of the cost.

Types of Heat Pumps

Air-source heat pumps extract heat energy from the air. They deliver up to three times more heat than the electricity used to create it. Split and package systems work like a central HVAC unit by delivering conditioned air through ducts. Ductless mini-split systems don’t require ducts. Instead, indoor blower cassettes are connected to an outdoor condenser by tubing routed through a wall. Tubing carries refrigerant and wiring. Mini-splits work well in rooms that are hard to connect to a ducted system or in homes that don’t have ductwork.

Ground-source systems — also called geothermal systems — extract heat from a few feet below the earth’s surface where the temperature stays about 60 degrees year-round. They use up to 60 percent less energy than a standard HVAC system. Water-source systems collect heat from a nearby water source such as a lake or well. They have the same energy-saving features as ground-source systems.

Advantages of Heat Pumps

Heat pumps distribute conditioned air more evenly than standard HVAC units. Cold spots in winter are eliminated. There is better humidity control, which creates a more comfortable living space during the humid Arkansas summers. They are more economical to operate, which saves both energy and money.

Dual-Fuel Systems

Hybrid systems save even more energy. When outside temperatures drop to below freezing, it takes more energy to extract heat from the air. Hybrid units combine electric heat pumps with gas or oil furnaces that automatically switch to the most efficient fuel source. No matter how cold it is, you stay warm using the most economical energy source.

For more information about how to save with a heat pump, call Freyaldenhoven Heating and Cooling. We are always ready to answer your questions.