A comfortable living environment requires a reliable heating system that homeowners can afford to use. Heat pumps meet this requirement and have the added benefit of being an eco-friendly choice.
A heat pump is a transfer or exchange pump. That means it takes warm or cool air and moves it where the air is the opposite. The transference of hot and cold air can occur in either direction. The ability to do this enables a heat pump to work as an air conditioner or a heater based on the mode used on the unit.
1. Compact Heating Option
Heat pump models can vary in size, but the average system takes up only a few square feet of space. The biggest section of the system mounts outside the home. It is acceptable to mount the exterior unit in any area that allows enough movement around it for air to circulate. The outdoor part of the system can even go on a rooftop if there is no suitable outer wall.
The unit mounted inside the home is around the same size as a window air conditioning unit. The device typically mounts high enough on the wall to prevent furniture from blocking airflow but in an area conveniently accessed for system operation.
Central heat pumps connect with ductwork in the home, and mini-split heat pumps are ductless systems. How large a unit a homeowner needs will depend on the size of the home and its insulation. Houses with large windows or exterior doors or homes with older and potentially draftier windows and doors may need a larger unit than a small, draft-free house.
2. Healthier for Residents
Heat pumps do not produce fumes or smoke. Exchanging the air for heating and cooling ensures that only filtered air enters the home. Most heating systems use fuels that emit some fumes. Gas, oil, or wood heaters can all affect the air quality in the house. Ductless systems also avoid the risk of mold, dust, pollen, and other materials that collect on ductwork and blow into the air as the system operates.
Homeowners may not always notice these fumes despite their presence. Poor air quality can affect anyone but is especially damaging for people with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. The risk of unhealthy interior air is why our team at Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical offers our Glendale customers indoor air quality testing, UV air sanitizers, and air filters.
3. Helps the Planet
Installing a heat pump offers many personal benefits, but the environmental considerations benefit the planet. Heat pumps provide an exceptionally eco-sensible home heating and cooling option. The units do not need fossil fuels, do not put smoke or other fumes into the environment, and use less electricity than electric baseboard heaters. A heat pump reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20%, and often more.
4. Energy-Efficient Solution
Utility cost increases have impacted families everywhere. Lowering personal utility costs is another benefit of installing a heat pump. Homeowners with a heat pump will no longer need to worry about affording an electric bill and gas, wood, or other heating expenses.
Anyone using space heaters or electric baseboard heat will appreciate the savings on their electric bill once they use only their heat pump. The best part of the savings is that your family can have lower bills without sacrificing comfort.
5. Serves Multiple Purposes
Heat pumps work as air conditioners and heaters. This dual-use system saves money because homeowners do not need to buy and maintain a separate air conditioning unit.
Heat pumps also save space because you don’t need to purchase additional hardware or pay for added features. Taking advantage of the air conditioning in a heat pump is as simple as changing the control switch from the heating to the cooling mode.
6. Increases Home Value
Installing a heat pump adds instant value to your home and increases your home’s desirability for home buyers. If you plan on listing your house for sale in the next few years, you should consider installing a heat pump. Even if you’re not planning to sell, the added value can help if you want to refinance or apply for a home equity loan.
7. Earns Tax Credits
Heat pump installations qualify for savings from the Inflation Reduction Act. The federal tax credit encourages homeowners to make changes that provide an efficient and cleaner home. The act enables people who install a heat pump in their homes to receive a credit of up to 30% of the purchase price.
8. Requires Less Maintenance
Experts recommend an annual service visit for every heating and cooling system. The yearly maintenance and cleaning ensure the system works as needed for every season. Heat pumps save homeowners on this step because the heating and cooling system is one unit. One appointment allows a technician to ensure the pump will provide the climate control needed for the following year.
9. Increases Home Safety
Heat pumps that use only electricity for operation do not use a flame, so they lessen the fire risk. They do not emit fumes, so carbon monoxide is no longer a concern. The units also offer a safe option for homes that include pets and children because, unlike a wood stove, radiator, or space heater, they will not cause burns when you touch or bump into them.
10. Reduces Noise Pollution
Some heating and cooling systems make a lot of noise that can disrupt daily life and become a concern in homes with family members sensitive to sounds. Heat pumps have an average decibel rating for the inside unit of 18 -30 decibels. The rating is better than the 32-80 for many air conditioners and about 60 decibels for the average heating system. Heat pump owners can also request the installation of sound-dampening materials. These can lower the sound further, if needed, and will not affect the performance or efficiency of the unit.
11. Keeps Your Indoor Temperature Consistent
The constant circulation of the air with a heat pump will keep the temperatures in the home consistent. Avoiding the highs and lows that often occur with a cycling furnace can help people in the home feel more comfortable. Testing has shown that heat pumps also help maintain consistent cool temperatures during heat waves with less energy usage than traditional AC systems.
12. Saves on Insurance
Replacing an existing system with a heat pump may lower a homeowner’s insurance policy. Heat pumps provide one of the safest home heating options available today. Most insurers agree, and many offer discounts when their clients upgrade. The potential savings can depend on the insurer and other factors.
Plan for Your Heating and Cooling Needs
At Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical, we have skilled technicians who can install, repair, and service any heat pump unit in your Glendale home. We can inspect the house and recommend the best heating and system based on your energy needs. We also provide many other services, including air quality testing and electrical and plumbing services.
Contact Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical today to learn more about heat pumps or to schedule an appointment.
