In homes where there are moderate needs for heating or cooling, heat pumps offer an energy efficient solution to the need for furnaces and air conditioning. Such devices work like refrigerators in moving warmth from a cold area to a warmer one. Thus, the cool spaces are made cooler and the warm spaces are made warmer. They offer help to improve efficient operation of heating and cooling systems. During the cooler winter months, these devices move heat from the cold outdoors to the warmer inside of the home. During the summer, they move the energy from outside the house to the warmer outdoor areas, providing cooling for the home. Since these systems move thermal energy instead of crating, they offer several times the heating factor than available in energy consumed. Air source devices are much more common than other types. They use the air outside the house as a source of warmth for winter months and to dispose the unwanted warmth for the summer. If used for heating systems, they can reduce the electricity needed to operate the system by 30-40%. High efficiency units provide even better dehumidifying properties which can cause the home to feel much cooler. The efficiency of such units can be greatly reduced when temperatures drop too low. In areas where winter temperatures remain at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, the systems depend on a backup heating source. Often the backup source is resistance heat and makes the efficiency of the system even worse. In such locations, owners should consider other options. One of the possibilities is to select a unit using a different type of backup heat on the colder days. Such systems may be equipped with burners instead of resistance coils. These systems can be fired with oil, natural gas, propane and other fuel sources, providing the needed heat if the primary system drops in efficiency. Ground source or geothermal units provide an better system than those using the air, especially in cold climates. They are also more expensive for installation. Landscaping, type of subsoil, and available space should all be considered if determining that a geothermal source is the most appropriate for the area. Such systems are ideal for climates where air temperatures are too cold for proper use of air source systems. The innovations in HVAC continue to provide improved systems for homeowners. Units that offer dual speed compressors or blowers provide advantages that help to increase the system's efficiency even more. The homeowner may also want to speak with an HVAC professional in order to choose the most appropriate unit for the area in which one will live. Heat pumps may provide a solution for homeowners looking to improve energy efficiency for their home. While air source systems are not appropriate for all climates, ground source units and units with a secondary fuel source for backup heating can be used practically anywhere. Overall, these systems offer the advantage of both heating and air conditioning in a single unit which can reduce power costs. You will find details about the advantages and benefits you get when you install heat pumps in your home and a heat pumps FAQ list on our site, today.
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