In San Antonio, heat pumps can be a popular choice to heat and cool your home.
They look almost like an air conditioner. In fact, they work in the same way during warm weather. Because of a reversing valve, they can shift warmth in the opposite direction as well as add warmth to your residence in the winter.
Not sure if you have a heat pump or an air conditioner? All you need to do is locate the model number on the outdoor unit and check it online. If it turns out you own a heat pump, or you’re thinking about buying one, discover how this HVAC unit keeps residences cozy.
How Heat Pumps Operate
Heat pumps depend on a refrigeration system like an air conditioner. Most can operate similar to a ductless mini-split, since they can heat and cool. Heat pumps have an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to shift warmth. The outdoor unit also uses a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that function as a heat sink to help move heat effectively.
Summertime Cooling
In cooling mode, the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. Air from inside the house is distributed over the coil, and the refrigerant sucks out heat. Water in the air also condenses on the coil, dropping into the condensate pan below and drains away. The ensuing dehumidified air flows through the ductwork and back into your home.
Meanwhile, the refrigerant moves a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, forcing it to get hotter. As it moves through the condensing coil, the outside fan and metal fins help to discharge heat to the outdoors. The refrigerant moves back into your house, passing through an expansion valve that chills it considerably, prepping it to begin the process from the start.
When your heat pump is put in and maintained properly, you’ll have efficient cooling comparable to an energy-saving air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is set to heat, the heat exchange cycle happens in reverse. By moving in a different direction, refrigerant extracts heat from the outdoor air and disperses it into your home to warm rooms.
Heat pumps working in heating mode are most efficient when the temperature remains above freezing outside. If it becomes too chilly, a backup electric resistance heater starts to keep your residence comfortable, but your heating expenses increase as a result.
Heat pumps operate longer than furnaces as the air doesn’t turn as warm. This helps keep a more stable indoor temperature. Also, because heat pumps move warmth rather than generating it from a fuel source, they can perform well above 100% efficiency. You should expect 30–40% savings on your heating costs by using a heat pump.
Schedule Heat Pump Installation or Service Right Away
Heat pumps are environmentally friendly and economical. They are a substitute for the regular AC/furnace system and require the same amount of maintenance—one appointment in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’d like to install a heat pump, San Antonio Air Service Experts is the contractor to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your system to fit your heating and cooling requirements. And then we’ll back our installation with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. For more information, contact us at 210-570-9705 now.