Heat pumps are marketed as a sustainable heating and cooling solution, and you’ve probably wondered why, when they’re essentially air conditioners with a heating function. In today’s post, local HVAC contractor Allison Air Conditioning takes a look at what makes heat pumps a sustainable heating and cooling system.
How Do Heat Pumps Work?
Like standard air conditioners, heat pumps generate cool air by putting a substance called refrigerant through different stages of compression. When the refrigerant is at its coolest, it passes through the indoor unit and gathers heat from the room. At the same time, air is blown through coils where the refrigerant passes through. Heat is then expelled through the condenser coils housed in the outdoor unit.
Heat pumps have the additional function to reverse the cooling cycle, which means it gathers heat from the outdoors and pumps it indoors. Even during the cold months, there is heat in the air, and heat pumps can gather enough to provide sufficient heating. Additional equipment can be installed by certified air conditioning service contractors that let heat pumps gather heat from the ground or nearby bodies of water. Heating coils in the indoor unit provide additional heating as needed.
What Makes Heat Pumps Sustainable?
So what makes heat pumps a sustainable choice? First, there’s the matter of efficiency. Heating systems are considered as efficient when there’s more heating generated on the dollar. For example, electrical heating is considered an efficient heating source because most of the electricity it consumes is converted to heat. Fuel like oil and gas are less efficient because they generate waste byproducts as they burn, and fuel-based heaters lose efficiency over time.
In comparison, heat pumps generate heat from the outdoors, and only use their heating coils when there’s not enough heat outdoors. In addition to the reduced impact on the energy grid, heat pumps generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Switching to a heat pump can significantly reduce your home’s carbon footprint.
Call Allison for Your Heating and Cooling Needs
Considering getting a heat pump? Give our team at Allison Air Conditioning at (951) 356-4224. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We provide air conditioning and heating repair, as well as other HVAC services, to communities in Corona, CA.