Let’s talk about the heat pump. If you aren’t familiar with the heat pump as an HVAC option, here’s the lowdown:
A heat pump is similar to an air conditioner. It uses electricity to power a compressor that places refrigerant under pressure. The refrigerant circulates between two sets of coils, indoors and outdoors. Hot refrigerant moving from the compressor first releases heat by condensing in one set of coils, then the cold refrigerant absorbs heat by evaporating in the other set of coils. What’s different with a heat pump is that it can reverse the way it circulates refrigerant. An AC can only move refrigerant so it absorbs heat from the indoor coils and releases heat through the outdoor coils. A heat pump can switch this process, bringing heat from the outside indoors. This means it’s a heating and cooling system in one.
Sounds Great? It Is for Some!
If you read the description above and thought, “Hey, I need one of those! Why have an AC and furnace when I can just use a heat pump?”
We agree that heat pumps are excellent options for home comfort. However, they can have drawbacks and are not ideal for all homes.
First, if you have a natural gas line to your house and you use a natural gas furnace for heat, it’s best to keep with a natural gas furnace. There’s no point in installing a heat pump if it’s just going to work as an air conditioner, since a heat pump is a more expensive installation than an AC alone. Natural gas is an excellent and affordable method of providing heat, and it’s best to stick with it if you got it.
But, if you have an all-electric home and use an electric furnace for heat, choosing a heat pump for a replacement is a terrific option. Heat pumps use less electricity to run than electric furnaces, and they won’t have trouble with the mild Florida winters. In fact, heat pumps are one of the most cost-effective ways to heat Florida homes—they’re powerful air conditioners that become low-cost heaters during the short times they’re needed for the job.
A heat pump is best installed when both the AC and furnace are coming to the end of their service lives. If both parts of the HVAC system are about the same age, when it’s time to replace one, you can save money and time by having them both replaced with a heat pump.
A heat pump is not the only choice when you’re looking for changes to your HVAC system. The best way to find out the right new installation for your home is to work with our professionals. We not only offer St. Augustine, FL heat pump services but all types of comfort services. We’ll look at your current HVAC system and help you with the big decisions about how to enjoy the best, cost-effective comfort. You can always count on us: we’re available at your convenience, not ours!
Schedule heat pump services with Gowland’s Heating & A/C. We value “Relationship Over Revenue!”