Are Heat Pumps Efficient In the Northeast?
Oliver Heating & Cooling is a premier HVAC company serving residential customers throughout the Delaware Valley and Jersey Shore. Heat pumps are one of the systems that we install frequently. Heat pumps operate using electricity and transfer heat energy. They can both heat and cool a home, and the types of heat pumps include air source, ground source and water source. A common question we get asked is, “Are heat pumps efficient in the Northeast?” The answer is yes!
Heat pump technologies have evolved a great deal over the last couple of decades. Air-source heat pumps are still the most prevalent, but there are high-efficiency models available. Heat pumps can also be paired with a furnace in a hybrid setup that is very effective and efficient. Geothermal heat pumps are also a great choice in the Northeast and are effective in even colder climates as well. Contact the expert HVAC technicians at Oliver today for a free heat pump installation estimate.
How Does a Heat Pump Work?
A heat pump operates in similar fashion to a refrigerant system, and heat pumps can, in fact, both heat and cool a home. When heating a home, the heat pump will transfer heat energy from the source to the home. When cooling it, it will move the energy from inside the home to the outside. Air-source heat pump systems are generally comprised an indoor air handler and an outdoor heat pump. The heat pump is quite similar to a central air conditioning unit with the exception that it can also provide heat by running in reverse.
Geothermal heat pumps are not quite as prevalent because the upfront costs are higher. These systems have extended loops of pipes that are buried in the ground. Those pipes are filled with a fluid, and that fluid is used to transfer heat energy in one direction or the other. Water-source heat pumps are essentially geothermal systems except that the pipes are submerged in a large body of water.
When Do Heat Pumps Become Inefficient?
Most air-source heat pumps are efficient at 30 degrees Fahrenheit and above, but many can continue to operate as low as 25 degrees. This is a primary reason why air-source heat pumps have not been as prevalent in Pennsylvania and New Jersey until recently. But there are now high-efficiency heat pumps that can handle the lower temperatures without becoming inefficient. There are also the hybrid systems that provide the best of both worlds.
Ground-source heat pumps have access to much more heat energy and thus have no problem handling the lower temperatures of the Northeast. The initial installation is more expensive relative to an air-source heat pump, but it can be a worthwhile investment since this is a one-time cost that will pay for itself over many decades.
Benefits of Using a Heat Pump in the Northeast
There are a number of benefits to choosing a heat pump in the Northeast:
- Energy Efficiency
- Versatility
- Long Lifespan
- Environmental Friendliness
- Low Total Cost of Ownership
- Reduced Month-to-Month Costs
Heat pumps are versatile. You need only a single system to heat and cool your home. These units are highly efficient. In many cases, the efficiency is 95%, which means that 95% of the electricity spent is converted into heat or cooled air. During moderate conditions, these systems are even more efficient than that and can transfer between 300% and 600% of what they consume. That means that your month-to-month costs will be lower. In addition, heat pumps last a long time. Air-source units last 15 years or longer. Ground-source units last 20 years or longer, and the underground portion can last 50 years or longer. These benefits result in a lower total cost of ownership than many other systems.
Choose Oliver for Your Energy Efficient Heat Pump Installation Service
Oliver Heating & Cooling is the most trusted company when it comes to heat pumps and other heating and cooling systems throughout Delaware Valley and at the Jersey Shore. We love the communities we serve. Our company is well established here and has provided these services for more than 50 years. Let us help you and your family! Call us today at (888) 810-2681 or contact us online for a free heat pump installation estimate.