It may almost be the official start of spring, but temperatures are still cool for now, and probably will be throughout the start of May. Hopefully, your heating system served you well and you’ve had minimal problems with it—this will typically be the case if you had your system professionally tuned-up before the start of the season.
But what if you have an aging heater that’s due for replacement? If you’re also going to need a new air conditioner soon, a heat pump installation could be the perfect solution. A heat pump offers both heating and cooling, making it ideal for year-round comfort. For more details, see our guide on whether you should have a heat pump installed to help determine if it’s right for your home.
First, What Exactly Is a Heat Pump?
You can think of a heat pump essentially as your standard central air conditioning system, with a couple of exceptions. Similar to an air conditioner, a heat pump is comprised of two units—one is installed inside and one outside. In heating mode, the outside unit evaporates refrigerant in order to absorb thermal energy from the air surrounding your property. The refrigerant gas is then condensed back into liquid in the indoor unit to release the collected heat into the home.
Unlike an air conditioner, though, a heat pump has the ability to change the direction of the refrigerant flow. This gives the heat pump its ability to act as either a heater or an air conditioner, which is the main reason most people have one installed.
What Are the Benefits?
Heat pumps are more energy-efficient than many traditional heating systems, mainly because they don’t rely on fuel combustion. Instead, they move heat, saving you from expensive utility bills. If you’re weighing your options, check out whether a heat pump or furnace is right for you to ensure you pick the system that suits your home and budget best.
This means you aren’t spending extra money every month on something like a higher gas bill. It’s estimated that just within a few years of heat pump installation, your system will usually pay for itself by how much it saves you on utility bills.
There is also a big convenience factor here—when you’re using a more traditional two-system configuration, you need to spend twice as much money keeping both of those systems in good condition. You can’t just install a system and forget about it. If you’re using a heat pump, you only need to worry about keeping that one system in good condition.
While heat pumps require maintenance twice a year, they save you the hassle of maintaining separate heating and cooling systems. If your current furnace isn’t performing well, it may be time to replace your furnace before the heating season starts. Switching to a heat pump could help you avoid costly repairs while simplifying your HVAC system.
For professional Oakland, CA HVAC services and more, contact Comfy Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. today!