Details of Heat Pumps

The properties of the refrigerant used in a heat pump are such that it evaporates (changes from a liquid into a gas) and condenses (changes from a gas to a liquid) at much lower temperatures than water. In terms of the refrigeration cycle, this means that we can take advantage of these phase changes to store and transport this heat energy into your home.

A heat pump looks just like a central air conditioner and most of the components are the same. On the inside of the home, you’ll see an air handler attached to ductwork. On the outside of the home, you’ll see the outdoor unit. Running between the outdoor unit and the air handler is a pair of copper pipes called a ‘line set’. These are the pipes through which the refrigerant travels between the outdoor unit and the air handler.

Heat pumps have been known for a long time to provide clean and efficient heating in climates that do not experience prolonged periods of temperatures below 30°F. The efficiencies of a heat pump are hard to beat; when they are running with only the refrigeration cycle, they operate above 100% efficiency. The brands of heat pumps we use, such as the Hallowell Acadia, maintain operating efficiencies above 200% at outdoor air temperatures as low as -15°F. This means that for every unit of electrical energy you put into your heat pump, you get out two units of heat energy. Compare that to a fossil fuel system running at 94% efficient. For every 1 unit of fossil fuel energy you burn in your furnace, you’ll only get 0.94 units of heat energy out.

If you are interested in more information or would like to receive a quote for a heat pump installation, send us a message using the "Request a Quote" box below.