Heating and cooling systems account for an average of 42% of utility bills.
The downside is they leave a huge carbon footprint on the environment. As air conditioners and heaters become more common around the world they will contribute significantly to climate change.
Air source heat pumps are a way to achieve your heating and cooling needs. They can do this without giving you a massive carbon footprint.
What Is a Heat Pump?
To put it into simple terms, a heat pump glossary is a device that takes heat from one space and moves it to another.
In this way, the system operates more like a refrigerator than it does a traditional HVAC system. It can take the warmth from the outside air and move it into your house. It can also do the opposite, cooling your home.
How Do Air Source Heat Pumps Work?
How air source heating works is by using condensers and compressors. They capture the warmth in the air even on a cold winter day and then transfer it into your house. On a hot summer day, they capture the warmth inside your home and move it outside.
Heat Pumps Save on Energy Use
Since a heat pump doesn’t have to generate heat it can be more efficient. If powered by electricity it will use between 40% and 60% less power. Heat pumps don’t have to use traditional electricity.
Their energy use is so low that they are easily able to utilize green energy.
Air source heat pumps are not new. When they were first invented, they were limited by the amount of heat they could capture. On days where it became too cold, they would stop working.
Modern air-source heat pumps can operate at much colder temperatures.
How Much Does a New Air Source Heat Pump Cost?
To buy a brand-new unit can often cost between $3,500 and $8,000.
While that may sound like a lot of money, compare it to traditional heating and cooling systems. For central heating and air, you will likely spend between $12,000 and $20,000.
The installation of an air-source heat pump is also much cheaper. They do not require extensive ductwork like traditional methods of heating and cooling. This reduces the time and money that has to go into installing them considerably.
Heating Your Water
The technology of heat pumps isn’t just good for heating and cooling your house. They can be used to very efficiently heat your water. By dumping heat into your water the unit doesn’t have to generate heat itself.
Pilot lights on traditional gas-powered water heaters can be very inefficient. It takes time and energy to heat up the tank using this method. The flame must be on for a considerable period and has to continuously come on in order to work.
Heat pumps merely draw the warmth out of the air and put it into the water. They don’t require the installation of a large metal tank. Using air sourced heating for your water needs takes up less space and uses less energy.
Common Myths About Air Source Heat Pumps
Air source heat pumps work even during the winter. The air can be quite cold to you, but there is always warmth trapped in the air. By extracting this warmth, the heat pump can operate even at very low temperatures.
Modern heat pumps can operate even down to -20 Celsius. This represents a big change from the first- generation models you may have experienced in the past. The myth that heat pumps don’t work in cold weather is simply untrue.
When using heat pumps to warm your water it will be as warm as you want. Using air instead of gas fires doesn’t make your heater less effective. It will still provide you with hot water for dishes and showers.
The Versatility of Heat Pumps
One of the most exciting things about heat pump technology is its versatility. Heat pumps can achieve both results you want together. They can heat and cool your home while also heating your water.
This efficiency is not a new technology. It is a tried and tested technology that is remarkably stable and effective. Heat pumps malfunction far less than traditional heating and cooling systems.
This technology has been used in Scandinavian countries for years.
Heat Pump Use is Growing
In countries where climate change is recognized as a serious issue facing the world, heat pumps are one part of the solution.
Heat pumps in the UK are becoming more popular every year. Other European nations are also following suit and the use of heat pumps is spreading across the continent.
In the western world, the use of heat pumps is at an all-time high. Millions of homes from continental Europe to the UK and even in the United States now use heat pumps. As the use of this technology becomes more widespread demand for heat pumps will continue to increase.
The Advantages of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps will save you money. It only needs a single unit to accomplish your heating, cooling and water heating needs. Most commercial heat pumps use electricity, but only to operate, not to generate heat.
In this way, a heat pump doesn’t just save you money when you buy one. It saves you money every month you use it.
You will notice considerably cheaper bills for electricity and gas. Freeing up your money to spend it on what you want to.
The single largest reason to switch to an air source heat pump isn’t saving money. By using this technology, you will be helping to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet. Reducing emissions and helping to combat climate change while spending less money is amazing.
There Is a Heat Pump for You
If you are unsure of whether an air source heat pump will help you, contact a professional. Companies that sell and install heat pumps have experts that can help. Explain to them your concerns and be prepared to be amazed.
The responsible way to heat and cool is here and ready to be used.
Take a look at other articles on our site to learn about other new and amazing lifestyle changes to try out.
