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Electric Heat Pumps - Reduce Your Energy Costs All Year LongWhat is a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps aren't new. The concept of heat pumps was introduced in 1852. In 1927, the first practical model was in use. Heat pumps were introduced to the American market in the 1950's. Today millions are in use all across the country, successfully heating homes in even the coldest climates. Heat pumps are growing in popularity because higher energy costs and chances of future fuel shortages have led homeowners to seek ways of reducing their heating and cooling costs. The new generation of heat pumps available today are extremely reliable and cost efficient. Cost-Efficient Heating A heat pump provides both heating and cooling capabilities in one system. Although the initial cost for a heat pump may be higher, remember, you don't have to install both a furnace and a central air conditioning unit. And, because the heat pump uses energy more efficiently over time, the savings will more than make up for the initial higher cost. A heat pump will supply about three times more heat than energy used. The greatest saving with a heat pump usually occurs during the heating season. To find out how much a heat pump will help you save annually, check operating costs and electricity prices with your local electric utility. In South Dakota, energy costs to heat and cool a home with a heat pump are generally 25-30% less than conventional heating and cooling systems. How a Heat Pump Works An "air-to-air" heat pump has two components -- an indoor unit with a coil and a blower that pushes the warm or cool air through your house (like a standard furnace); and an outdoor unit with another coil, fan and a compressor or pump (like a standard air conditioner). Unlike the standard system, in which the furnace operates only in winter and the air conditioner operates only in summer (using the furnace blower to move cool air), the heat pump uses both indoor and outdoor units year-round. In summer, the refrigerant removes heat from the air inside your home and exhausts it outside, while cooled air is forced through the duct system to cool your home.
In winter, the procedure is reversed. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air, and the compressor pumps the refrigerant to the inside unit where the heat warms the inside air. The blower pushes the heated air through the duct system to warm your home.
Even Winter Air Has Heat This may seem strange, but heat exists in all air. All air above -460 F. contains heat. The heat pump uses this natural heat in the outside air to warm your home -- at a lower cost than heating the air artificially. Low-Maintenance Operation Your authorized heat pump dealer can install and maintain your system, just as with a standard furnace or air conditioner. Proper installation is important and will prevent most service problems. Be sure your service person has experience with heat pumps -- just as you want a trained mechanic working on your car. With thousands of heat pumps installed in South Dakota, many trained dealers and service personnel are available to serve you. Supply and Return Air Ductwork Adequately sized supply and return air ductwork are necessary in order to convey the proper quantity of conditioned air to each room within the home, deliver it to the room at the proper point and return it to the furnace quietly and without drafts. The material used for ductwork can be aluminum, galvanized steel, rigid fiberglass or flexible duct, depending on where the ductwork will be located or the limitations of local building codes.
Electric Heat Pump System Benefits Customers interested in installing a total electric energy efficient heating and cooling system should consider an Electric Heat Pump System. These systems are ideal for areas where natural gas is not available or propane is not desired. They are very competitive in cost, especially when building a new home.
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A
heat pump is a year-round comfort conditioning system that uses
refrigeration equipment to supply warm air in winter and cool air
in summer.
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