What Is A Heat Pump And How Does It Work?

What Is A Heat Pump And How Does It Work?

Heat pumps are aptly named. They move – or pump – heat from one place to another using a compressor and liquid or gas refrigerant. Heat is extracted from outside sources and then pumped indoors. The compressor pumps the refrigerant between two heat exchanger coils. In one coil, the refrigerant evaporates at low pressures which allows it to absorb heat.

The refrigerant is then compressed and sent to the second coil which cause it to condense under high pressure. The heat is then released and sent into the home.

Heat pump systems are reversible. This allows it to send heat into the home in the winter and draw heat out in the summer.

You can think of your refrigerator as a form of heat pump working in the cooling mode. Your fridge is an insulated appliance with a heat pump connected. The evaporator coil absorbs heat and transfers it outside the unit. The condenser removes the heat and condenses the gas into a liquid to cool it.

The Pros and Cons Of Heat Pumps

If you’re wondering what are the pros and cons of a heat pump, here are the main ones.

Pros:

• Heat pumps typically have lower running costs
• Generally, require less maintenance than combustion systems
• Safer (No gas or carbon monoxide output)
• Lower carbon emissions
• Doesn’t dry out the air when heating
• Quiet operation
• One system can provide heating and cooling
• Another advantage of heat pumps is the ability to help in controlling humidity, a big factor!

Heat pumps can also have significantly longer life spans that other types of heating. The typical heat pump system last between 10 and 15 years. Some last for significantly longer. How long your system will last depends on usage levels and whether you provide regular maintenance.



Cons:

Heat pumps use ambient heat from the air and ground to provide heat. When it’s extremely cold outside, a heat pump can struggle to find the heat source it needs to properly heat your home. This isn’t a problem for moderate climates but under extreme conditions, a backup heating system may be needed to take over. That can raise your utility bills.

• The heat pump cost for installation can be expensive
• May require an indoor and outdoor component
• Can struggle in extremely cold temperatures

Common Questions About Heat Pumps

Here are some of the most common questions people have about heat pumps.

What Is The Difference Between A Heat Pump And Central Air?

When you are comparing central air conditioning vs a heat pump, here’s what you need to know. Both systems will take the heat inside your home and transfer or pump it to the outside. This helps cool your home as cool air is pumped in. A central air conditioning system does not reverse the direction and transfer heat from outside your home. They rely instead on a furnace to produce the heat.

A heat pump system can handle both heating and cooling.

How Cool Can A Heat Pump Make Your House?

Just because it’s called a heat pump doesn’t mean if won’t cool your home. It will do the same job as a standard air conditioning unit and cool most homes even if the hottest climates.

Are Heat Pumps Noisy?

Heat pumps do make noise. Both the compressor and the fan make the most noise. Most heat pumps generate between 40-50 decibels, which means it’s louder than a whisper in a library but less noisy that your dishwasher when it’s running.

Do Heat Pumps Use A Lot Of Electricity?

Heat pumps use electricity to move the heat from a cool place to a warm place. During heating season, it takes cool outdoor air, heats it, and moves it indoors. The good news is that modern heat pumps use a lot less electricity than previous generations. It also uses as much as 50% less electricity than electric furnaces and baseboard heaters.

Will Heat Pumps Save On Cooling Costs?

While heat pumps can save on heating costs, there won’t be any measurable differences in your power usage when cooling. Heat pumps work the same way whole-house air conditioning units do.

Why Is My Heat Pump Bill So High?

A heat pump system will raise your electric bill but it will also lower fuel costs for other heating fuels.

A heat pump is 2-4X more efficient that your backup electrical heat. If your heat pump compressor fails and you’re running on backup heat, prepare for a bigger bill. The heat pump fan will run continuously which uses a lot more power. There can also be problems with the thermostat settings, refrigerant leaks, damaged heat strip, or other issues.



In the coldest months, it may seem like your heat pump is running nonstop. Make sure it’s not set to Emergency Heat. This will cause your utility bill to spike.

Can a Heat Pump Heat A Whole House?

Heat pumps can absolutely heat an entire home. Mini splits can also be installed to effectively heat individual zones or rooms. Ductless mini splits can also be used if homes don’t have ductwork already installed.

The Most Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling Solution

So, is a heat pump a good idea? Your initial heat pump cost for installation will be significantly higher than other heat sources but it’s also significantly more energy-efficient. A heat pump is generally considered the most efficient heating solution on the market. If you’re switching from an electric furnace, the heat pump can reduce your utility bill by a third or more.

It can also double as an air conditioner meaning you’re getting heating and cooling in one unit.