Winter may not be the best time to install a new heating system in your home. However, if you are in the market for a new heater right now you probably don’t have much of a choice. You don’t want to go without a heating system any longer than you have to, even in a place like California. If you’re looking to have a new heater installed, you should take a look at what a heat pump system can offer you. Let’s go over how a heat pump operates, what makes it different from other types of heating systems, and the advantages that one can offer you if you install it this winter.
Heat Pump Operation
A heat pump is pretty close to an air conditioner in terms of how it’s constructed. In fact, the only major difference between a heat pump and an air conditioner when it comes to parts is the reversing valve. This part is vital for allowing the heat pump to do what it does, though. And what the heat pump does is offer both heating and cooling functions on demand. It does this by reversing the direction that refrigerant flows through its system. 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 surrounding air and the indoor unit venting it into the home.
Advantages of Heat Pump Use
The first and most obvious advantage to using a heat pump is that of convenience. Using just one climate control system throughout the year is both more energy efficient and saves more space than using two different climate control systems. This is especially the case for heating, as the heat pump doesn’t have to combust any kind of fuel to generate heat. Even though it doesn’t burn fuel, the system is still more than capable of keeping the home warm and comfortable. The only time when heat pumps struggle with heating efficiently is in extremely cold environments, where the temperature regularly drops far below freezing. Here in California, that’s not something you need to worry about.
A Note on Maintenance
It’s always a good idea to schedule maintenance for your heating and air conditioning systems, usually once a year. However, things are a little different with heat pumps. Since a heat pump is typically used throughout the year for both heating and cooling, it will actually wear down quite a bit faster than other heating systems. If you want to keep your heat pump in good condition, you should actually schedule preventive maintenance at least twice a year. This will help counteract the added wear and tear on the system, and extend its effective lifespan. Make sure you consult with a professional about the best time to schedule maintenance for your heating system.
Comfy Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. provides comprehensive heat pump installation services in Fremont, CA. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert technicians.