The Dual Benefits of Heat Pump Air Conditioners
Many people use heat pumps to heat the home.
Heat pumps are a great way to heat and cool a home without purchasing separate units for each job. This article will discuss how heat pumps work, how they are used for air conditioning, and the costs associated with both.
How a heat pump works
A heat pump moves heat from one location to the other. Depending on the heat flow, this heat diffusion will either cool or heat a room. The best example of how a heat pump works is to observe a refrigerator.
Refrigerators are classic heat pumps. They move warm air from inside the refrigerator to the outside. The refrigerator’s inside is cold, and the sides and back are often warm. Seeing how this technology works in refrigerators will help a homeowner understand how heat pumps are used for air conditioning.
Heat pump air conditioners
Many people use heat pumps to heat the home. They work by transferring the warm air outside into the home. Heat pump air conditioning does the opposite. It transfers warm air in a room to the outside, which in turn cools the room. The same device can be used for both situations. A heat pump will cool a home if switched to the reverse position. Having one device saves money and removes the need to purchase two separate units.
Costs of heat pumps and heat pump air conditioners
The costs involved in running a heat pump and heat pump air conditioner are much less than traditional gas heating or electrical units. This is because it uses the electricity required for a small heater and converts it into a much greater heat output. This results in a savings of about half the monthly costs of running gas or conventional electric heating. Installing a heat pump may cost more upfront, but the lower energy bills will offset this in subsequent months. In addition, since a heat pump can be reversed and used for cooling it can save a homeowner from buying an additional cooling unit. Heat pump air conditioners also filter the air in the home and can act as a dehumidifier.
Understanding how a heat pump works and how it can be used for both heating and cooling, as well as knowing what costs are involved, will give a homeowner the knowledge required to compare each and the confidence in the decision of which to purchase.
Fix My Air DFW of Fort Worth specializes in residential and commercial HVAC services, including routine maintenance, installation, and repair. All makes/models. Call us at (817)839-3511.
