It may seem strange to be talking about the installation of a new air conditioning system near the end of summer—but then again in Florida, it’s almost always summer! Plus, the end of summer is the most likely time for aging air conditioners to finally call it quits, as they’ve been under a lot of stress.
If you’ve also been on the market for a new heating system, you’d do well to consider what a heat pump system can offer. Keep reading to learn about how a heat pump works, what makes it unique compared to other types of cooling and heating systems, and the benefits that one of these systems can offer you if you have it installed this year.
A Heat Pump’s Operation
A heat pump system is very similar to a traditional central air conditioning system in terms of how it is constructed. In fact, the only major difference between a heat pump and a central system is that the heat pump has what’s called a reversing valve—which serves a very important function.
The reversing valve is essential for enabling the heat pump to do what it does—that is, provide not only effective cooling but also heating, by reversing the direction that refrigerant flows through its system. When a heat pump is in cooling mode, the indoor unit absorbs heat and the outdoor unit vents it. In heating mode, the reverse is true, with the outdoor unit absorbing heat from the surroundings and the indoor unit venting it into the home.
Are Heat Pumps That Advantageous?
Yes! The first and most obvious benefit to using a heat pump is convenience. Using just one climate control system throughout the year is more energy efficient, and saves more space than using two different HVAC systems. Given how briefly we use our furnaces here, saving space is a definite benefit, as is saving energy!
It goes without saying that our HVAC costs are high around here, especially in the cooling season. So what if you could recoup some of those costs during the cooler months? A heat pump doesn’t combust any type of fuel to create heat—rather it transfers heat. This means that in heating mode, it works much more efficiently and affordably than a furnace system.
The only time a heat pump struggles in the winter is when temperatures reach very low levels, as the system tries to pull hot air from the outside. The good news is, this makes heat pumps the perfect choice for climates such as ours!
A Note About Heat Pump Maintenance
If you’ve ever had professional maintenance done on an air conditioning or heating system, then you may already know that the recommendation is that you have it done once a year. What does this mean if you have a heat pump? Well, since it is essentially a 2-in-1 heating system, it means you should have maintenance done twice a year—every six months. This allows us to fully inspect, clean, and adjust your HVAC system, ensuring that it works as well as it’s meant to for the years to come.
Serving St Johns County since 1988 with quality, hometown service. Contact Climate Masters for expert St. Augustine, FL heat pump services.
