If your home’s HVAC system consists of a heat pump, you’re probably aware that the heat pump provides both heating and cooling to your home. Unlike homes that use a furnace or radiators for heating and air conditioners for cooling, you only have one device that keeps you comfortable in both summer and winter. Many homeowners are curious about how heat pumps work and whether they are a good option. In this week’s blog, Gold Star Services will talk about your heat pump in summer: how it works and whether it’s an efficient cooling system.
A heat pump extracts heat energy from the surrounding environment and moves it from one place to another. Air source heat pumps move heat between the air inside and the air outside, while ground source heat pumps move heat between the air inside and the ground outside. A heat pump has an indoor and outdoor unit to facilitate this exchange, and uses refrigerant.
In cooling mode, heat pumps work like air conditioners. They take heat from inside the home and move it outside. Indoor air is blown across the coils of the heat pump, and the heat energy is absorbed by refrigerant. The resulting cool air is blown throughout the home’s ducts, while the heated refrigerant moves to the coils in the outdoor unit and the heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the outside. Back inside, the expansion valve cools down the refrigerant, which is ready to begin the cycle again by absorbing more heat.
Heat pumps are very efficient in general. They act like energy-efficient air conditioners in the summer, so you can expect to pay about the same for cooling as you would with an air conditioning system. That makes them a great option for many homeowners, especially in mild climates. In climates that get very cold in the winter, homeowners can consider a hybrid heat pump and furnace system for added efficiency in heating.
Contact Gold Star Services at 1-302-947-8694 for expert heat pump repairs and replacement. Regular maintenance will help ensure that your heat pump is running efficiently and won’t break down on a hot summer day.