How Do Heat Pumps Work?

A heat pump being a part of the central heating and cooling system in a home uses the air from outside to heat the inside space in winter and cool it in the summer.

How Heat Pump Works

Heat pump uses the mechanical compression cycle refrigeration technique to either cool or heat a controlled space. Installing a heat pump system is a task that consists of two main steps. The indoor unit also called the air handler is installed along with an outdoor unit that is very similar to an air conditioner. The outdoor unit is referred to as heat pump. Inside this unit, a compressor circulates refrigerant and absorbs as well as releases heat when the air travels between outdoor and indoor.

Heat pump acts like a heat transporter that is constantly moving air (cool or warm) from one area to another and to where it is needed depending on the setting and season. When the outside temperature goes down, the heat pump extracts outside heat and transfers it to the inside. During hot season, it reverses this functionality like an air conditioner where the heat is removed from the inside. The source or sink for heat in these cases is the outside air. A fan may be needed to improve efficiency of heat exchange.

Benefits Of Heat Pumps
There are many advantages of having a heat pump installed in a home in place of a furnace or an AC unit. One such advantages is that heat pump simply moves the heated air instead of generating it. This means the system is more energy efficient saving you a lot of money on fuel consumption. For instance, a Trane XL20i that comes with a rating of 19.00 SEER can save you at least half of the money you spend on utility bill with the low efficiency appliances. Note that heat pumps work ideally and are best suited for moderate climates. And this is the best year-round solution to keep the home comfort and cozy during moderate seasons.

Homeowners with a heat pump system at their homes will have comfortable winters than those using furnaces or wood-burning stoves. People prone to dry skin are better off with this type of system because heat pump leaves the skin moist. In addition, heat pumps are quieter, cleaner and odorless compared to other alternatives. They are safer than other systems that rely on combustion. Most heat pumps are powered by electric therefore don’t require combustible materials.

Looking for a new heat pump in your Albuquerque home? Look no more! Call Daniel’s Heating & Air at (505) 898-8860, and see what the professionals can do for you.