Heat Pumps 101 – Which Type is Right for Your Home?
You’ve likely heard of heat pump systems, but you might not be sure about what they are and how homeowners can benefit from them. While they may seem like a new type of home comfort system, heat pumps have been around for a while. They were used primarily in the southern part of the country for many years, but technological advances have made them a good choice for northern homeowners, too.
There are different types of heat pump systems available, each with its benefits. In this article, we’ll discuss three of the types of heat pump systems we install and explain to you how Kool Temp Heating & Cooling can help you choose the right one for your home. Keep reading to learn more!
Three Types of Heat Pump Systems
At Kool Temp, we install three different types of heat pump systems – air source, ground source, and ductless. Learn more about each type of heat pump system below:
Air Source Heat Pumps
An air-source heat pump can provide efficient heating and cooling for your home, especially in a warm climate. When properly installed, an air-source heat pump can deliver one-and-a-half to three times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes. This is possible because a heat pump moves heat rather than converting it from a fuel like combustion heating systems do.
Most central heat pumps are split systems — that is, they have one coil indoors and one outdoors. Supply and return ducts connect to a central fan, which is located indoors. Some heat pumps are packaged systems. These usually have both coils and the fan outdoors. Heated or cooled air is delivered to the interior from ductwork that passes through a wall or roof.
Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pumps
Unlike air source heat pumps, which extract heat from the air and pump it into or out of your home, ground source, or geothermal, heat pumps utilize the heat from the earth. Geothermal is considered the most efficient type of heat pump because it transfers heat instead of generating it.
There are four basic types of ground loop systems. Three of these — horizontal, vertical, and pond/lake — are closed-loop systems. The fourth type of system is the open-loop option. Which one of these is best depends on the climate, soil conditions, available land, and local installation costs at the site. All of these approaches can be used for residential and commercial building applications.
Ductless Heat Pumps
Ductless heat pump systems, or mini-split systems, use air-source heat pump technology to heat and cool residences. The difference between a standard air-source heat pump system and a ductless one is that an air-source heat pump uses the home’s ductwork to move warm or cool air around the house. With ductless, there is no need for ductwork, just like the name implies.
Like standard air-source heat pumps, mini splits have two main components: an outdoor compressor/condenser, and an indoor air-handling unit. A conduit, which houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, suction tubing, and condensate drain, links the outdoor and indoor units.
Five Benefits of Heat Pump Systems
Heat pump systems provide several benefits to the homeowner, including:
- Year-Round Comfort: Because they can provide both heating and cooling using just one unit, heat pump systems are good for year-round use.
- Energy Savings: Heat pump systems are one of the most efficient means of heating and cooling a home. While they may be more costly to install than traditional systems up front, their energy savings can easily balance out initial costs.
- Multiple Configurations: Because of the different types of heat pump systems available, homeowners can explore their options and find the best choice for their home comfort needs, whether they have ductwork or not.
- Environmentally Conscious: Heat pump systems do not require fossil fuel, so you won’t have to worry about having oil or gas delivered to your home. Because they don’t burn fuel, your family won’t be exposed to harmful fumes, including carbon monoxide.
- Long Lifespan: Heat pump systems, when properly maintained, can last for up to 15 years, making them a great choice when you need to replace an outdated heating and cooling system.
Can Kool Temp Heating & Cooling help me get a heat pump system for my home?
At Kool Temp Heating & Cooling, it is always our priority to provide our customers with the best products and services available. We are pleased to offer air source, ground source, and ductless heat pump systems. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss each option and help you decide the best fit for your home, lifestyle, and budget.
Call us at (518) 731-6878 and we will be glad to schedule an appointment with you.
