Types of Heat Pumps

Considering a heat pump for your home? Today’s models can reduce heating costs by 50% compared to electric furnace and baseboard heaters. Unfortunately, finding the right model can be quite confusing due to the sheer multitude of options to consider…

The Wide World of Heat Pumps

Capable of both heating and cooling, heat pump systems work like a refrigerator, using electricity to pump heat from a cool space to a warm one to move warm air indoors in the winter, and vice versa in the summer. Because they move heat rather than generating it, operational costs are significantly reduced.
There are 3 Main Types of Heat Pumps:

• Air Source
  Inexpensive to install and commonly used, air source heat pumps function well in moderate climates, using outside air as a medium for heat exchange.
  
• Water Source
  Water source heat pumps dissipate heat by way of water instead of air. They require well, lake, or other water source access, and aren’t as common.
  
• Ground Source
  Ground source or geothermal heat pumps take advantage of thermal energy stored underground, transferring heat in a similar manner to air source heat pumps. Due to the constant temperature of the ground, they offer much more efficient operation, however installation is pricier and more complicated due to the need for excavation and installation of underground piping.

But Wait – We’re Not Done Yet! Heat Pump Sub-Types
To further confound you in the selection process, there are also sub-types of heat pump systems:

• Hybrid Heat Pump
  In climates that run the gamut from very warm in the summer to very cold in the winter, two types of hybrid systems are available to boost efficiency…
  • Ground & air source heat pump combos, with air source systems leading the way when air is warm outside, but switching to ground source when temperatures drop.
  • Heat pump and gas/oil boiler combo, where simultaneous operation can offer more consistent warmth at a higher level of efficiency. (Commonly used in homes with existing boiler systems.)
    
• Solar Heat Pump
  Used in conjunction with air and geothermal heat pumps, solar heat pumps integrate solar panels as a power supply for the system. With a solar geothermal setup, it is therefore possible to heat/cool your entire home by renewable energy.
  
• Absorption or Gas-Fired Heat Pump
  Driven by another heat source other than electricity (solar/geothermal/gas), these systems are more typical to industrial applications.

There are also a Few Different Ways to Install Heat Pump Systems, Including…

• Split System
  The most common installation on ducted systems, with an indoor evaporative unit located in a closet, basement or attic, and the condenser and compressor unit located outdoors in a large metal box.
  
• Package System
  All mechanical components are housed in a larger metal outdoor box. (Only ductwork is located in the home.)
  
• Mini Split or “Ductless”
  Great for homes without ducts, these work similar to air source heat pumps, albeit on a smaller scale.
  
• Window Heat Pumps

Ready to start saving energy and money with a heat pump system? Contact your friendly H&H Heating & Air Conditioning professional and make an appointment for your no-obligation, competitive quote today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/types-of-heat-pumps/

The Benefits of Ground Source Heat Pumps

Electrically powered ground source heat pumps, also referred to as geothermal systems, tap into the stored solar energy of the earth. System components, buried deep in the ground to take advantage of the earth’s constant temperature, transfer energy to provide heating, cooling, and occasionally hot water to homes and commercial buildings.
Ground source heat pumps offer many benefits – and some of them may surprise you:

• High efficiency, low cost operation.
  A well-known benefit of geothermal is its efficiency – it’s off-the-charts. Providing a whopping 4 units of energy for every 1 unit of electrical energy, it stomps the competition. The most efficient gas furnace, with an efficiency rating of 96%, can’t get anywhere near the 400% efficiency rating ground source heat pumps deliver. This makes geothermal systems a welcome addition to the grid, as their low electricity requirements reduces peak grid demand, helping reduce both weather-driven brownouts and the need for additional electric plants.
  
• Green & clean.
  Because of their stellar efficiency and the fact that they, unlike other comfort systems, do not emit carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases, geothermal systems are recognized by both the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy as the most environmentally friendly way to heat and cool your home or business. Additionally, they do not emit carbon monoxide, as they do not operate via combustion, offering the opportunity for enhanced indoor air quality.
  
• Long life, low maintenance.
  Compared to the typical furnace, which is capable of lasting 10-15 years with regular HVAC maintenance, geothermal systems usually last 15 years or more, with their ground-based components, or ‘ground loops,’ holding an incomparable 50 year warranty. Housed under the cover of your home or business where they are protected from rain, snow, ice, and vandalism, they suffer far less wear and tear, enjoying added reliability compared to traditional heating and cooling systems.
  
• Quiet operation.
  Unlike air conditioners and heat pumps which require a noisy outdoor unit, the hum of a geothermal system is much like the operation of a refrigerator. That means no more family get-togethers, time by the pool, or gardening interrupted by the noisy clamor of outdoor components.
  
• Increasing affordability.
  Ground source heat pumps, increasing in popularity as home and business owners seek to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprints, are becoming more and more affordable to install, with the average installation only slightly higher than typical HVAC fare. Installation typically pays for itself in two to 10 years – depending on utility rates, the efficiency of your home, and how much energy you use for heating and cooling. Add to this a longer system lifespan and energy savings in the 40-60% range, and you’re talking some serious savings.
  
• Available incentives.
  Because of the green benefits of geothermal operation, federal, state, local governments, and even some power providers offer rebates and incentives toward the purchase of select high efficiency systems.

Looking for a heating and cooling system that’s a little more down to earth? Uncover the benefits of ground source heat pumps. Contact H&H Heating & Air Conditioning, your local HVAC Company today.

This blog was originally posted at https://www.delcohvac.com/the-benefits-of-ground-source-heat-pumps/