How a Heat Pump Works in the Summer.

Despite the name, a heat pump is a dual-functionality heating and cooling system. They are a popular type of system but are somewhat less familiar to most people than a traditional air conditioner or furnace. Heat pumps work on relatively simple principles, and understanding them can help your make an educated decision when buying or maintaining a heat pump system.

The Cooling Cycle

Like standard split-level air conditioners, refrigerators and other similar systems, heat pumps use a refrigerant cycle to lower the temperature in your home. .At one end of the system the evaporator coil absorbs heat into the refrigerant chemical which becomes gas. The gaseous refrigerant vapor is then pumped into the condenser coil where it sheds its heat and becomes liquid again. While the refrigerant liquid returns to the evaporator coil to start the cycle over, the fan blows the heat out of the home. Basically, the unit takes the heat from inside the home and pushes it outside, lowering the indoor temperature.

Unlike similar cycles in most other HVAC systems this cycle can be done in reverse. On cool days the unit collects heat from outside and transfers it indoors. By using the same cycle a heat pump system can cover the functionality of both an air conditioner and a heating system.

Some cutting-edge systems, called Geothermal, opt to use the stable temperature of the Earth instead of the variable temperature of the outside air. Geothermal devices can be relatively expensive to set up, as they required a shaft drilled deep underground, but once installed they are extremely efficient and last for decades. And while the systems technology is more advanced, the refrigerant cycle is the same.

Benefits

Because they combine heating and cooling into one small, convenient package heat pumps are great choices for small homes where there is little space available. They also tend to be high efficiency, saving the home owner money over the course of a year by reducing utility costs. These machines are particularly efficient in areas where the year-round climate is somewhat mild. As long as the outdoor air is neither too hot or too cold the unit can easily pump heat in or out of the home as necessary.

Call us today for a new heat pump, installation, maintenance, or any other HVAC questions or problems.