Thursday, May 16, 2013

Is a Heat Pump a Good Choice For Your Home?


If you're traversing the Internet looking for Trane HVAC parts, Goodman AC parts, or Carrier AC parts to fix your HVAC system, you may be wondering if it's time to upgrade to a heat pump. They offer consumers another option to heating their home, however, like any product there are pros and cons. So, if you're thinking about choosing one over a traditional gas or oil-burning furnace and central air conditioner here are some things to consider.

Heat pumps are highly efficient. For example, they will give back 3 kW of heat per 1 kW of electricity spent compared to electric heaters that give back 1 kW per 1 kW of electricity spent. By comparison, heat pumps in general cost less to run. Exactly how much less depends on brand, model, and where you live.

They also offer a longer heating cycle making heat distribution in the home more even; eliminating cold spots commonly associated with the use of a traditional furnace. They only use electricity. Without the use of fuel, there is the peace of mind of not having to worry about carbon monoxide poisoning or having a gas, propane, or oil leak in your home.

In comparison to air conditioners, they are generally more expensive; however, opting for a ductless heat pump puts the cost slightly under that of an air conditioning unit. Another pro is ground-source units which can serve as a stronger dehumidifier than traditional air conditioners. Even an air-source heat one can take on the same dehumidifying features as regular air conditioners.

They are offered by several brands such as Trane, Lennox, Carrier, and others. York AC parts and Lennox AC parts and other branded parts may be more expensive than parts for a heat pump. Since heat pumps cool and heat the home, there is generally no need for two separate units which can save you money on parts. For example, purchasing a Carrier unit would save you from needing Carrier furnace parts if your heat unit needs repair and Carrier AC parts if your cooling unit has issues.

Even though heat pumps may save you on utility costs and upkeep, they have constraints as well. One con is their inability to properly heat your home when temperatures are around or below freezing consistently throughout the winter season. It can't pump in enough heat from the outside air to adequately warm your home. You may then need supplemental energy to allow the pump to generate enough warmth in such cold temperatures. This could offset any savings you initially had with the heat pump although every situation is different depending on how efficient your heat pump is, the temperatures in your area, and what the cost would be for traditional system Trane AC parts, Carrier AC parts, Lennox AC parts, or other branded parts.

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