If you’re in the market for a new heating system, you may be tempted to just get another version of whatever it is you had before. For most homeowners, that would be either a gas or electric furnace. Before you do that, though, you should take a look at the other heating options available on the market. Not all heating solutions are good for all situations, and it’s important to be sure that the one you have is the best for your needs. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the advantages of installing a heat pump in your home this winter.
How Heat Pumps Work
A heat pump is not a typical home heating system. Instead of combusting fuel to generate heat, it works more like an air conditioner, evaporating and condensing refrigerant to move heat from place to place. There are two units, one installed inside and one outside. When in heating mode, the heat pump evaporates refrigerant in its outside unit to absorb thermal energy from the surrounding air. It then sends the hot refrigerant gas inside, where it is condensed back into liquid to release heat into the home.
The Benefits of Heat Pump Usage
Heat pumps have a part called a “reversing valve,” which lets them reverse the flow of refrigerant through their systems. This enables the heat pump to act as either a heating or air conditioning system, which is a huge advantage over other climate control solutions. Heat pumps are also much more energy efficient than other heating systems, as they don’t burn fuel to generate heat. If you want to increase your comfort while cutting operating costs, a heat pump might be the perfect solution for you.
