How a Heat Pump Cools Your House

In the U.S., heat pumps can be a popular solution for heating and cooling your residence.

They seem very similar to an air conditioner. In fact, they work in a similar fashion during warm weather. Since they have a reversing valve, they can shift humidity in the opposite direction as well as add comfort to your house when temperatures drop.

Not sure if you use a heat pump or an air conditioner? Just find the model number on the outdoor unit and run it online. If it turns out you have a heat pump, or you’re considering getting one, find out how this HVAC system keeps houses comfortable.

How Heat Pumps Work

Heat pumps depend on a refrigeration system much like an air conditioner. Most can operate like a ductless mini-split, because they can heat and cool. Heat pumps use an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to shift heat. The outdoor unit also has a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that act as a heat sink to help move heat efficiently.

Summertime Cooling

When your heat pump is set to cooling, the refrigerant starts in the evaporator coil. Air from inside the house is set over the coil, and the refrigerant removes warmth. Moisture in the air also condenses on the coil, dropping into the condensate pan below and flows away. The resulting dehumidified air flows through the ductwork and back into your house.

During this time, the refrigerant passes through a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This constricts the refrigerant, leading it to heat up even more. As it moves through the condensing coil, the exterior fan and metal fins help to exhaust heat to the outside. The refrigerant travels back indoors, traveling through an expansion valve that chills it greatly, preparing it to start the process from the beginning.

When your heat pump is installed and maintained correctly, you’ll have efficient cooling as good as an energy-saving air conditioner.

Wintertime Heating

When your heat pump is heating, the heat exchange process happens the other way around. By flowing in the opposing direction, refrigerant extracts heat from the outdoor air and disperses it into your residence to warm rooms.

Heat pumps running in heating mode are most useful when the temperature is above freezing outside. If it becomes too cold, a backup electric resistance heater starts to keep your house comfy, but your heating costs increase as a result.

Heat pumps run longer than furnaces since the air doesn’t turn as warm. This helps keep a more stable indoor temperature. Also, because heat pumps transfer heat rather than creating it from a fuel source, they can operate well above 100% efficiency. You can anticipate 30–40% savings on your heating expenses by switching to a heat pump.

Book Heat Pump Installation or Service Now

Heat pumps are a green choice and money-saving. They replace the standard AC/furnace setup and should have the same amount of maintenance—one service in the spring and another in the fall.

If you’re interested in installing a heat pump, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is the contractor to contact. We’ll size and install your system to match your heating and cooling needs. And then we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To find out more, contact us at 866-397-3787 right away.