In Houston, heat pumps can be a popular solution for heating and cooling your residence.
They look almost like an air conditioner. In fact, they run in a nearly identical way during hot weather. Due to a reversing valve, they can move humidity in the opposite direction as well as heat your house when it's cold.
Not sure if you use a heat pump or an air conditioner? Simply locate the model number on the outdoor unit and check it online. If you discover you use a heat pump, or you’re thinking about installing one, discover how this HVAC equipment keeps residences comfortable.
How Heat Pumps Run
Heat pumps rely on a refrigeration system similar to an air conditioner. Most can work like a ductless mini-split, as they can heat and cool. Heat pumps depend on an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is sent through these coils to transfer warmth. The outdoor unit also contains a compressor and is enclosed by metal fins that function as a heat sink to help transfer humidity properly.
Summertime Cooling
In cooling mode, the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. Air from indoors is distributed over the coil, and the refrigerant sucks out warmth. Wetness in the air also condenses on the coil, falling into the condensate pan below and flows away. The following dehumidified air moves through the ductwork and back into your residence.
At the same time, the refrigerant moves a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This concentrates the refrigerant, leading it to heat up even more. As it moves through the condensing coil, the outdoor fan and metal fins help to exhaust heat to the outside. The refrigerant heads back indoors, traveling through an expansion valve that cools it considerably, prepping it to go through the process from the beginning.
When your heat pump is replaced and maintained properly, you’ll receive efficient cooling similar to a high-performance air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is heating, the heat exchange process occurs the opposite way. By moving in the opposite direction, refrigerant extracts heat from the outdoor air and adds it into your house to warm the inside.
Heat pumps working in heating mode are most efficient when the temperature is above freezing outside. If it gets too chilly, a backup electric resistance heater starts to keep your home comfortable, but your heating bills go up as a result.
Heat pumps work longer than furnaces since the air doesn’t become as warm. This helps maintain a more stable indoor temperature. Additionally, because heat pumps shift hot air rather than making it from a fuel source, they can work well above 100% efficiency. You should receive 30–40% savings on your heating costs by using a heat pump.
Book Heat Pump Installation or Service Now
Heat pumps are a green choice and economical. They replace the standard AC/furnace setup and need the same amount of maintenance—one appointment in the spring and another in the fall.
If you want to install a heat pump, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the Expert to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your unit to match your heating and cooling demands. And then we’ll support our services with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To find out more, contact us at (713) 352-7887 now.