In Livermore, heat pumps can be a popular option for heating and cooling your residence.
They seem almost like an air conditioner. In fact, they run in the same way during the summer. Due to a reversing valve, they can shift humidity in the opposite direction as well as heat your residence when it's cold.
Not sure if you rely on a heat pump or an air conditioner? Simply locate the model number on the outdoor unit and run it online. If you find you own a heat pump, or you’re thinking over buying one, learn more about how this HVAC unit keeps residences cozy.
How Heat Pumps Operate
Heat pumps rely on a refrigeration system like an air conditioner. Most can operate similar to 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 move warmth. The outdoor unit also contains a compressor and is enclosed by metal fins that function as a heat sink to help move heat properly.
Summertime Cooling
When your heat pump is cooling, the refrigerant starts in the evaporator coil. Air from inside the house moves over the coil, and the refrigerant extracts heat. Water in the air also condenses on the coil, dropping into the condensate pan below and flows away. The following cool air circulates through the ductwork and back into your residence.
Meanwhile, the refrigerant passes through a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This concentrates the refrigerant, causing it to get hotter. As it moves through the condensing coil, the outdoor fan and metal fins help to discharge heat to the exterior. The refrigerant heads back indoors, moving through an expansion valve that lowers its temperature it considerably, prepping it to go through the process all over again.
When your heat pump is installed and maintained properly, you’ll get efficient cooling comparable to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
In heating mode, the heat exchange cycle takes place the other way around. By flowing in the opposite direction, refrigerant removes heat from the outdoor air and adds it into your house to warm the interior.
Heat pumps operating in heating mode are most effective when the temperature is warmer than freezing outside. If it gets too chilly, a backup electric resistance heater starts to keep your home comfortable, but your heating bills increase as a result.
Heat pumps are on longer than furnaces because the air doesn’t become as warm. This helps keep a more even indoor temperature. On top of that, because heat pumps move warmth rather than making it from a fuel source, they can operate well above 100% efficiency. You should expect 30–40% savings on your heating bills by using a heat pump.
Schedule Heat Pump Installation or Service Now
Heat pumps are good for the environment and economical. They are a substitute for the traditional AC/furnace setup and require the same amount of maintenance—one checkup in the spring and another in the fall.
If you want to install a heat pump, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the contractor to call. We’ll size and install your system to match your heating and cooling requirements. And then we’ll uphold our services with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To find out more, contact us at 925-364-5427 today.