In Melbourne, heat pumps can be a popular choice to heat and cool your residence.
They seem almost like an air conditioner. In actuality, they work in a nearly identical way during warm weather. Since they have a reversing valve, they can move heat in the opposite direction as well as heat your house when it's cold.
Not sure if you rely on a heat pump or an air conditioner? Just track down the model number on the outdoor unit and check it online. If you find you have a heat pump, or you’re considering buying one, discover how this HVAC equipment keeps residences comfortable.
How Heat Pumps Operate
Heat pumps use a refrigeration system like an air conditioner. Most can work akin to a ductless mini-split, since they can heat and cool. Heat pumps use an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is sent through these coils to move heat. The outdoor unit also uses a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that act as a heat sink to help shift heat effectively.
Summertime Cooling
In cooling mode, the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. Air from indoors is distributed over the coil, and the refrigerant extracts warmth. Wetness in the air also condenses on the coil, dropping into the condensate pan below and moves away. The resulting cold air moves through the ductwork and back into your residence.
Meanwhile, the refrigerant flows a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, leading it to get hotter. As it goes through the condensing coil, the exterior fan and metal fins help to exhaust heat to the outdoors. The refrigerant travels back indoors, passing through an expansion valve that cools it greatly, prepping it to start the process from the start.
When your heat pump is replaced and maintained correctly, you’ll receive efficient cooling equivalent to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is heating, the heat exchange cycle happens the opposite way. By flowing in the opposite direction, refrigerant extracts heat from the outdoor air and adds it into your home to warm rooms.
Heat pumps running in heating mode are most efficient when the temperature is warmer than freezing outside. If it turns too cold, a backup electric resistance heater turns on to keep your house cozy, but your heating bills increase as a result.
Heat pumps run longer than furnaces since the air doesn’t get as hot. This helps maintain a more balanced indoor temperature. Additionally, because heat pumps move warmth rather than making it from a fuel source, they can operate well above 100% efficiency. You should receive 30–40% savings on your heating bills by installing a heat pump.
Schedule Heat Pump Installation or Service Right Away
Heat pumps are a green choice and economical. They replace the standard AC/furnace system and should have the same amount of maintenance—one inspection in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’d like to install a heat pump, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the Expert to call. We’ll size and install your unit to fit your heating and cooling needs. And then we’ll back our services with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. For more information, contact us at 321-428-7635 now.