In Edmonton, heat pumps can be a popular option for heating and cooling your residence.
They look very similar to an air conditioner. In fact, they work in the same way during the summer. Since they have a reversing valve, they can transfer humidity in the opposite direction as well as add warmth to your home when it's cold.
Not sure if you use a heat pump or an air conditioner? All you have to do is track down the model number on the outdoor unit and look it up online. If it turns out you own a heat pump, or you’re considering getting one, find out how this HVAC unit keeps houses comfy.
How Heat Pumps Operate
Heat pumps depend on a refrigeration system like an air conditioner. Most can work like a ductless mini-split, since they can heat and cool. Heat pumps use an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to transfer humidity. The outdoor unit also uses a compressor and is encircled by metal fins that act as a heat sink to help move humidity effectively.
Summertime Cooling
In cooling mode, the refrigerant begins in the evaporator coil. Air from within the house is distributed over the coil, and the refrigerant extracts humidity. Water in the air also condenses on the coil, falling into the condensate pan below and moves away. The ensuing cold air moves through the ductwork and back into your house.
At the same time, the refrigerant moves a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, leading it to warm up. As it goes through the condensing coil, the exterior fan and metal fins help to exhaust heat to the exterior. The refrigerant moves back into your house, moving through an expansion valve that cools it considerably, preparing it to start the process from the beginning.
When your heat pump is put in and maintained appropriately, you’ll enjoy efficient cooling equivalent to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is heating, the heat exchange procedure occurs in reverse. By traveling in the opposite direction, refrigerant pulls heat from the outdoor air and disperses it into your residence to warm the inside.
Heat pumps running in heating mode are most useful when the temperature is warmer than freezing outside. If it becomes too frigid, a backup electric resistance heater starts to keep your house comfy, but your heating costs rise as a result.
Heat pumps work longer than furnaces as the air doesn’t get as heated. This helps sustain a more even indoor temperature. Also, because heat pumps transfer heat rather than making it from a fuel source, they can work well above 100% efficiency. You should receive 30–40% savings on your heating expenses by switching to a heat pump.
Book Heat Pump Installation or Service Today
Heat pumps are environmentally friendly and money-saving. They replace the regular AC/furnace configuration and require the same amount of maintenance—one checkup in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’d like to install a heat pump, Rob's Albertan Service Experts is the contractor to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your equipment to match your heating and cooling requirements. And then we’ll support our services with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To find out more, contact us at 780-800-9047 now.