A heat pump is an electrical or gas-powered appliance used in home and industrial settings for cooling and heating purposes during cold and hot seasons. It is a cost effective alternative and an energy saver, saving around 25% to 50% more on electricity on average than other conventional domestic heating or cooling appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces, and air conditioners.
Heat pumps provide year-round air control for homes and is perfect for cold climates. During winter, the heat pump transfers thermal energy from the cold outdoors to the warm indoors. During summer the reverse happens, warm air is ejected outside allowing cool air to circulate inside the home.
Different Types of Heat Pumps
The most common types of heat pumps are air source, water source and geothermal heat pumps. Air source heat pumps are the most common, and work by transferring heat from warm to cold areas and vice versa. Water pumps derive heat from water, while geothermal heat pumps, (also called earth-energy heat pumps) draw heat from the ground. The geothermal heat pumps have become popular in areas around central Canada, British Columbia and parts of Minnesota.
Here are some of the factors to consider when looking for a heat pump.
1. British Thermal Unit (BTU) size
British thermal unit per hour(BTU) is a unit of measure for heat output from appliances. A heat pump with more BTU covers a wider area. A 12000 BTU pump covers an average of 600-700 sq feet. Getting a smaller unit can cause the pump to overwork, and wear and tear faster. Getting one with larger BTU than your home needs will force the pump to turn on and off constantly.
2. Dual Speed Motors
Many of the current heat pumps come with speed motors which move air at a favorable speed gradually increasing or decreasing speed based on need. This reduces wear and tear on the unit, and offers maximum electricity savings with minimum noise emanating from the pump when it is operating at full capacity.
3. Desuperheaters
Currently, high-efficiency heat pump models come with desuperheaters which heat water from heat waste from the pump’s cooling mode which is 3 or more times efficient than standard water heaters.
4. Warranty
The industry average for warranties is between 5 years and above for parts and 7 or more years for the compressor. It would be unwise to get one with cover less than that.
5. Brand
Best heat pumps come from well-established providers who stand by quality and performance of their products.
Brands like Goodman heat pumps have been considered as a leading quality provider in the heat pump industry, adhering to quality standards and energy efficient appliances.
The innovations in the heat pump industry gave us high-quality heat pumps which are more efficient, cost less in maintenance and operational costs and are relatively economical compared to other methods of heating and cooling. Choosing the right one is essential if you want to enjoy maximum comfort and performance.
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