How Does A Heat Pump Work? - Sunshine Renewable Energy€¦ · efficient heat pump in your home?...
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(907) 707-1133 & Toll Free (866) 249-2070 Call TODAY to schedule your FREE no-risk in-home energy assessment with Sunshine Renewable Energy! (907) 707-1133 or Toll-Free across Nova Scotia at (866) 249-2070 1 Are you considering installing an energy- efficient heat pump in your home? This report is your guide to the world of heat pumps – what they are, how they work, and best of all – how they can save your family money! How Does A Heat Pump Work? When asked how a heat pump works, the simplest explanation is to say that it extracts heat from the outside air and moves it indoors. This process is also reversible. In the cold months of the year, it’s moving heat indoors, while in the warm summer months it extracts heat from inside the home and moves it outside. It’s a clever technology that exploits the physics of heat to produce energy efficient comfort throughout the year. The Science Of Heat Pumps It’s the refrigerant in the heat pump that works to produce this effect, the same substance that keeps the food in your refrigerator chilled. The refrigerant- filled coils of a heat pump are situated in a unit installed outside the walls of the home. This temperature of the refrigerant is actually lower than the outside temperature when in its liquid form. The outside air flows over these coils, giving up its existing heat — remember, heat flows from areas of higher temperature to areas of lower temperature. This captured heat begins warming up liquefied gas in the heat pump system, turning it into a gas state. That vapor is forced through a compressor, which acts to increase both pressure and temperature, producing heat that is distributed indoors via the interior unit through ductwork or a mini-split compressor. The system works optimally when it is constantly running, creating an efficient loop of extraction and distribution. Heat Pumps Are Different Heat pumps differ significantly from conventional home heating solutions, such as oil or electric baseboard heat, in that the units are simply moving heat rather than both producing and moving heat. For this reason, many homeowners experience a drop in their heating bills when they elect to install a heat pump unit in their home. Greater energy efficiency is one of the main selling points of heat pump technology today.
Transcript of How Does A Heat Pump Work? - Sunshine Renewable Energy€¦ · efficient heat pump in your home?...
(907) 707-1133 & Toll Free (866) 249-2070
Call TODAY to schedule your FREE no-risk in-home energy assessment with Sunshine Renewable Energy! (907) 707-1133 or Toll-Free across Nova Scotia at (866) 249-2070
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Are you considering installing an energy-efficient heat pump in your home? This report is
your guide to the world of heat pumps – what they are, how they work, and best of all – how
they can save your family money!
How Does A Heat Pump Work? When asked how a heat pump works, the simplest explanation is to say that it extracts heat from the outside air and moves it indoors. This process is also reversible. In the cold months of the year, it’s moving heat indoors, while in the warm summer months it extracts heat from inside the home and moves it outside. It’s a clever technology that exploits the physics of heat to produce energy efficient comfort throughout the year. The Science Of Heat Pumps It’s the refrigerant in the heat pump that works to produce this effect, the same substance that keeps the food in your refrigerator chilled. The refrigerant-filled coils of a heat pump are situated in a unit installed outside the walls of the home. This temperature of the refrigerant is actually lower than the outside temperature when in its liquid form. The outside air flows over these coils, giving up its existing heat — remember, heat flows from areas of higher temperature to areas of lower temperature.
This captured heat begins warming up liquefied gas in the heat pump system, turning it into a gas state. That vapor is forced through a compressor, which acts to increase both pressure and temperature, producing heat that is distributed indoors via the interior unit through ductwork or a mini-split compressor. The system works optimally when it is constantly running, creating an efficient loop of extraction and distribution. Heat Pumps Are Different Heat pumps differ significantly from conventional home heating solutions, such as oil or electric baseboard heat, in that the units are simply moving heat rather than both producing and moving heat. For this reason, many homeowners experience a drop in their heating bills when they elect to install a heat pump unit in their home. Greater energy efficiency is one of the main selling points of heat pump technology today.
Sunshine Renewable Energy (907) 707-1133 & Toll Free (866) 249-2070
Call TODAY to schedule your FREE no-risk in-home energy assessment with Sunshine Renewable Energy! (907) 707-1133 or Toll-Free across Nova Scotia at (866) 249-2070
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Ductless Mini-Split System Ductless mini-splits are perfect for homes where there is either no existing ductwork, or using existing ductwork may be not feasible for one reason or another. Mini-splits, like all heat pump systems, are a two-unit proposition, with a heat unit installed on the interior wall of your home, and an exterior unit installed outside. Mini-split units produce comfortable interior heat to -15 degrees, with lower temperatures requiring a back-up heat source. Those who currently have a ductless mini-split heating system will likely keep their baseboard heating intact in the event of extremely frigid temperatures.
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps &
Ducted Heat Pump
Systems: What’s The Difference?
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+ How Much Can You Save With A Heat Pump?
Ducted Heat Pump System
If your home has existing ductwork, you might consider a ducted heat pump over the mini-split option. Ducted heat pumps, like their mini-split counterparts, are energy-efficient because they move heat from outside to the inside. Unlike mini-split models, however, they don’t require wall units — instead, they distribute constant comfort via the ductwork. Ducted heat pumps are an improvement over forced air systems because heat pumps circulate indoor air longer than other systems, resulting in more frequent air filtration. Like mini-splits, ducted heat pumps deliver comfort year-round, heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.
The savings using heat pumps can be considerable for homeowners switching from less efficient heating methods like electric baseboards. While we can’t promise an exact number, as each situation is different, we can ballpark the kind of savings you might expect after installation. As we have already covered, heat pumps don’t create heat in the way that oil furnaces or baseboard heaters do — they simply move heat from place to place. This is the reason why heat pumps excel at energy efficiency; they are actually doing less. Because of this, some homeowners have experienced up to 60% reduction in their home heating costs. Many find the heat extracted and distributed by heat pumps to be warm and comforting, to the point that their preferred indoor temperature may drop a degree or two. This can result in additional savings. However, if you increase your preferred in-home temperature, the potential savings from a heat pump can be reduced or eliminated entirely.
Sunshine Renewable Energy (907) 707-1133 & Toll Free (866) 249-2070
Call TODAY to schedule your FREE no-risk in-home energy assessment with Sunshine Renewable Energy! (907) 707-1133 or Toll-Free across Nova Scotia at (866) 249-2070
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Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump
Pros
• Lower heating bills right away = immediate return on investment
• Fast installation by qualified professionals
• Reversible system means home stays cool in hot summer months
• Lower cost than a ducted heat pump system
Cons
• One wall unit heats a single zone or room, not entire home
• Wall unit may look bulky to some
The Bottom Line
You might be able to tell right away which system is ideal for your individual situation. For example, if you live in a small home with no ductwork and baseboard heating, then a ductless mini-split system is the perfect choice for you. Even larger spaces can use ductless mini-split heat pumps. Two or more heads can be connected to one exterior unit, or more than one system can be installed.
Ducted Heat Pump System
Pros
• Far more energy-efficient than oil or electric baseboard heat
• Back-up systems kick in when temperatures drop
• Reverse system in the summer to keep things cool
• Small units relative to most conventional furnaces make for a smaller footprint in the home
Cons
• Electrical upgrades may be needed to accommodate new system
• Ductwork in older homes may have weak points that can reduce energy efficiency
The Bottom Line
Perhaps you have a larger home with existing ductwork, but an old, inefficient forced air system you’re ready to replace. If your ductwork is in good condition, then a ducted heat pump system might be the better option for you. An in-home assessment is highly recommended to determine the condition of the existing ductwork, and whether it is ideally suited to accommodate a new ducted heat pump system.
+ There are two types of heat pumps available, and one is probably better suited to your home than the other. The question is: how do you
know which one?
Sunshine Renewable Energy (907) 707-1133 & Toll Free (866) 249-2070
Call TODAY to schedule your FREE no-risk in-home energy assessment with Sunshine Renewable Energy! (907) 707-1133 or Toll-Free across Nova Scotia at (866) 249-2070
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Ductless mini-split heat pumps are the most popular type of heat pump, and they can range in price depending on a few different factors. Due to differences in home size and layout, it is difficult to give an accurate quote for everyone, but generally purchase and installation runs from about $3000 - $3500. The three big factors that determine the price are the size and layout of the space you want to heat, the type of electrical service to the home, and any existing yard layout challenges complicating exterior unit installation.
Ducted heat pumps are best suited to larger homes with existing ductwork. Since they are generally providing heat to a larger space, the exterior units are much bigger than their ductless counterparts. For this reason, purchase and installation is more expensive, running anywhere from $6500 - $8500. As with the ductless mini-split system, the cost will depend on factors that are unique to your individual situation. The best way to get an accurate quote is to schedule an in-home assessment, allowing a heat pump installation professional to determine your exact needs.
How Much Do Heat Pumps Cost?
The most common issue homeowners encounter as they explore heat pump installation is the potential limitations of their electrical panel. Heat pumps require a certain electrical load to function properly, and if your home’s current service isn’t high enough to meet those demands, additional service is needed. Most homes have amperage anywhere from 100 to 200 amps, though this is by no means universal. Homes with electric baseboard heat and an electric hot water tank will typically have adequate service to accommodate the installation of a heat pump. Homes on an oil furnace and hot water tank may have lower amps, anywhere from 100 - 125 amps. 100 amps is the minimum required to install a ductless mini-split heat pump and central ducted heat pump systems need closer to 200 amp service.
If you’re wondering why there is a difference, it is because electrical panels were installed according to expected load — oil isn’t electricity, so why install a panel designed for higher electrical loads? In any case, an in-home assessment is vital to determine whether your home’s electrical panel is currently able to handle the demands of a new heat pump. Upgrades are definitely possible, though they do come with additional cost. Qualified electricians should perform this upgrade and an inspection by local authorities is necessary as well. Sunshine Renewable Energy can coordinate and handle any required electric service upgrade.
Potential Issues: Is Your Home Ready For A Heat Pump?
