When you need a new cooling system, there are a lot of factors to take into account. Of course, the initial cost is a major concern for many homeowners. However, the cost of operation, efficiency, and any additional features may be of equal concern. While you can purchase extremely efficient traditional central air conditioners, one type of system that may actually give you a little more bang for your buck is a heat pump. While the name sounds as though it is a heating system, a heat pump is actually a very efficient heating and cooling system.
Essentially, there are very few differences between a traditional AC and a heat pump. Heat pumps take advantage of the same refrigeration cycle, in which refrigerant, a chemical blend that easily converts from a liquid to a gas and vice versa, moves through the indoor and outdoor unit. As it changes from a gas to a liquid at the outdoor condenser unit, it releases heat into the air. As it changes from liquid to gas indoors, it absorbs heat from your home. A fan then blows cool air through the ductwork. This process continues until the home is cooled to the proper temperature.
In fact, heat pumps have all of the components of a traditional air conditioner but with one addition, the reversal valve. With most air conditioners, the refrigerant can only move in one direction. However, the reversing valve of a heat pump activates when you switch your thermostat to “heat” mode, allowing the flow of refrigerant to change direction. Now, instead of absorbing heat from the inside to move outdoors, it pulls heat from the outside to warm indoor air. In some climates, an additional heating source is needed to supplement the heat pump if there is not enough heat in the outside air. But this is unnecessary in Ponte Vedra.
Heat pumps have cooling efficiencies that are comparable to other air conditioners, and are very efficient for heating. This is because it takes less energy to move heat from place to place than to generate heat.
When you decide it’s time for heat pump installation in Ponte Vedra, call the professional technicians at Climate Masters today.
