Installing a Heat Pump Can Make a Home's Heating More Efficient

Energy-Saving Heat Pumps Make it Possible to Be Comfortable While Saving Money

As the weather continues to get colder, homeowners start dreading the heating bill. With energy costs so high, it may seem inevitable that people will have to shell out their wallets to cover the expenses. This may not be the case, however. Heat pumps can be used for both heating and cooling, and they use significantly less power than traditional heating and cooling systems, saving homeowners money.

Defining and Categorizing Heat Pumpspump

The main reason that heat pumps are so efficient comes from the fact that they do not have a heat source in the traditional sense. In other words, they do not create their own heat. There is not a burner or a gas flame in sight for these ingenious appliances. They are called heat pumps because they literally move heat from one place to another. No matter how cold it is outside, there is heat to be gathered to bring inside the home. That is how a heat pump works. There are several varieties of heat pumps, including.

  • Air Source Heat Pump: This is perhaps the most common and least expensive heat pump to install. It pulls heat from the air in the winter to bring it inside and pumps the indoor heat outside during the summer. This system is normally paired with ductless heat and air.
  • Water Source Heat Pump: This type of heat pump may be coupled with a water heater for its heat. It takes heat from a closed loop of water pipes and distributes it throughout the home. 
  • Geothermal Heat Pump: This system uses the nearly constant ground temperature to adjust the heat in the house. A series of pipes is installed well below ground, and the closed loop is filled with water or coolant. Heat is either taken from the ground and released into the home, or heat from the house is released through the pipes underground. Geothermal heating is a more expensive system to install, but the constant temperature underground makes it one of the most highly efficient systems.

Advantages of Ductless Systems

Ductless heat pump systems are growing in popularity due to their efficiency. As discussed above, heat pumps lead to much lower utility bills than traditional heating and cooling systems. However, the lack of ductwork required for ductless systems provides additional advantages, including:

  • Ideal for older homes without space for air ducts and homes that do not already have ductwork.
  • No air ducts mean no heat loss through the ducts, increasing the system’s efficiency and saving homeowners money.
  • Ductless systems are often easier and faster to install than traditional central heating systems because they don’t require installing air ducts.

Lower Energy Usage Means Lower Cost

saveThough the initial output for a heat pump installation will be expensive, the energy-efficient system will provide major savings in the long run. A heat pump is a highly energy-efficient way of heating or cooling a home. While traditional air conditioners and heater systems use fuel to generate heat, a heat pump simply transfers heat from one place to another. This process is simple and does not require any burning of fuel, making it much more efficient and less expensive to operate. 

Heat pumps are very effective in providing comfort year-round, as they can both cool a home during the summer months and heat it during the winter. Homeowners should consult a reliable HVAC company about whether or not the heat pump is a good choice for their household and which type would best fit their needs.

About RCL Mechanical

RCL Mechanical is a locally-owned and operated business serving Taunton, MA, and the surrounding areas. They provide flat-rate prices, 24/7 availability, and the latest technology. Call them today for heat pump services in Taunton, MA

Are Heat Pumps the Most Efficient Home Heating Method?

Heat Pumps Offer Versatility, Flexibility, and Energy Efficiency

Heat pumps can bring outdoor air into the house to heat in the winter and cool during the summer. Under the best-operating conditions, a heat pump can move up to 300% more energy than it uses. Some heat pump services tout that heat pumps offer a 100% efficiency rating, saving 5% in energy efficiency over furnaces. That 5% can be the difference between high and low energy bills this winter season!

How Does a Heat Pump Work?

Air source heat pumps use electricity to provide an energy-efficient alternative to heating and cooling a home without the added cost of a heating service company installing both a furnace and air conditioning unit. 

Heat pumps do not create heat but rather move heat from one place to another to keep the temperature at the desired setting. Heat wants to move from high temperature, high-pressure environments to low pressure, low-temperature environments naturally, so heat pumps use this to transfer heat. 

A reversing valve within the system allows for a change in the flow of refrigerant used to heat or cool the home. Older model heat pumps are the superior option in mild climates or areas where electricity costs are low.

Some high-efficiency heat pumps offer the additional benefit of acting as a full house dehumidifier for homeowners that live in climates with above-average moisture levels and could use some relief. To ensure quality and professional heat pump service, heat pump installation and repair should only be conducted by licensed and insured professionals. 

Is Ductless Right for the Home?

Ductless Heating SystemDuctless heating/air systems are generally wall-mounted indoor units with an outdoor compressor used in areas that traditionally would have used a window AC unit or baseboard heating. Most homeowners prefer ductless units because only a small hole has to be drilled into the wall for installation. The unit is also quieter, with a higher quality aesthetic within the living space.

Mechanical professionals and heating services have done the research and found that heating ducts cost homeowners up to 25% of the energy output of a traditional furnace or air conditioning unit. Ductless models use inter-driven compressors that speed up or slow down the compressors based on the needs of the unit rather than turn off the unit entirely until it’s next needed like traditional HVAC systems do.  

Energy Savings Equal Money Savings for Savvy Homeowners

Piggy bank surrounded by coinsOn average, Energy Star ductless systems save homeowners 30% on their heating and cooling costs. The Federal Government offers a tax credit for qualified individuals, and some utility companies offer incentives for installing energy-efficient equipment in the home.  

According to the Department of Energy website, modern heat pumps can reduce home energy use by up to 50% compared to electric furnaces and baseboard heaters. 

About RCL Mechanical

RCL Mechanical, located in Raynham, MA, uses the latest plumbing and HVAC technologies to provide customers with always on-time service at a flat rate. This company has earned a prestigious Home Advisor Elite award as a top-rated company for customer service. Technicians are LEED and NATE certified and guarantee customer satisfaction on every provided product or service. Call RCL Mechanical today for heat pump installation and service in Taunton.