In Champaign, heat pumps can be a popular option for heating and cooling your home.
They look about the same as an air conditioner. In fact, they work in the same way during high temperatures. Since they have a reversing valve, they can move humidity in the opposite direction as well as add comfort to your house in the winter.
Not sure if you have a heat pump or an air conditioner? All you need to do is track down the model number on the outdoor unit and check it online. If it turns out you have a heat pump, or you’re considering installing one, find out how this HVAC equipment keeps homes comfy.
How Heat Pumps Run
Heat pumps use a refrigeration system much like an air conditioner. Most can work akin to a ductless mini-split, as they can heat and cool. Heat pumps depend on an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to transfer heat. The outdoor unit also has a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that act as a heat sink to help transfer heat efficiently.
Summertime Cooling
When your heat pump is set to cooling, the refrigerant begins in the evaporator coil. Air from inside the house blows over the coil, and the refrigerant removes heat. Wetness in the air also condenses on the coil, dripping into the condensate pan below and drains away. The ensuing cold air circulates through the ductwork and back into your residence.
At the same time, the refrigerant passes through a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, causing it to get hotter. As it flows through the condensing coil, the exterior fan and metal fins help to discharge heat to the exterior. The refrigerant travels back into your house, traveling through an expansion valve that cools it considerably, prepping it to start the process from the start.
When your heat pump is put in and maintained correctly, you’ll get efficient cooling comparable to an energy-saving air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is set to heat, the heat exchange cycle happens the other way around. By flowing in the opposite direction, refrigerant extracts heat from the outdoor air and disperses it into your residence to warm rooms.
Heat pumps operating in heating mode are most useful when the temperature remains above freezing outside. If it gets too chilly, a backup electric resistance heater kicks on to keep your home comfortable, but your heating bills go up as a result.
Heat pumps are on longer than furnaces as the air doesn’t turn as heated. This helps maintain a more balanced indoor temperature. Also, because heat pumps shift warmth rather than making it from a fuel source, they can work well above 100% efficiency. You can anticipate 30–40% savings on your heating expenses by installing a heat pump.
Schedule Heat Pump Installation or Service Right Away
Heat pumps are environmentally friendly and money-saving. They are an alternative to the regular AC/furnace setup and require the same amount of maintenance—one checkup in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’re interested in installing a heat pump, Chief/Bauer Service Experts is the contractor to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your system to match your heating and cooling demands. And then we’ll uphold our services with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. For more information, contact us at 217-689-2469 right away.