If it’s nearing time for you to invest in a new air conditioner or heater, you may be thinking about a heat pump. After all, it’s an all-in-one solution for both heating and cooling. You don’t have to have two different systems in your home, and heat pumps are also very reliable.
But how do you know a heat pump is right for you and your family? Our team is happy to answer any of your questions about heat pump installation in Wilmette. We can even offer a free on-site assessment and outline your options so that you know whether that’s the right choice based on your unique home.
How a Heat Pump Works
Before you invest in a heat pump, it’s important to understand how this type of system works. Traditional air conditioners cool the air using refrigerant, but that’s where their use of refrigerant ends. A heat pump also uses refrigerant to cool your home in the same way. In the summer your heat pump takes liquid refrigerant and turns it into a gas to cool air and then blows it into your home.
But heat pumps also use refrigerant lines in the winter to produce heat for your home. When you switch your heat pump over to heating mode, the process reverses. Instead of creating cool air, it brings warm air into your home from the outside using those same refrigerant lines. It sounds impossible, but it’s true. Even when it’s cold outside, there is still some heat in the air that your heat pump can utilize.
Heat Pump Benefits
On top of having a simple operation, heat pumps also offer a variety of other benefits. They usually take up less space in your home since they are essentially two systems in one. This is a particularly great solution if you don’t have a lot of space in your home.
It’s also very easy to switch back and forth between the heating and cooling modes and the units are very energy efficient. In fact, compared to other types of heaters and air conditioners, heat pumps use less energy overall. Since they don’t have an ignition or use combustion to create heat, none of the energy is lost during the heating process in particular.
Plus, they are good for the environment. Other types of heaters create fumes inside that can enter the atmosphere and increase carbon emissions. When you invest in a heat pump, you can do so knowing that you were making an eco-friendly decision. It may seem like a very small contribution, but every environmentally friendly choice adds up over time.
You do want to keep in mind that you should schedule heat pump maintenance appointments twice a year. Usually, you would schedule service once for your air conditioner and once for your heater. Since your heat pump does both, it requires maintenance twice annually to maintain its excellent performance.
Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted resource for Chicagoland area home services. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.