Energy.gov might define heat pumps best. A heat pump is a mechanism that uses electricity to transfer heat from a cool space to a warm space, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer.
How does a heat pump work?
During the warmer months, heat pumps move heat from your house into the outdoors. Because they transfer heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can efficiently provide comfortable temperatures for your home.
Heat pumps use refrigerant to achieve heat transfer, utilizing a compressor to move fluid through tubes that change from liquid to gas and then back to liquid again. As the liquid turns to gas, it absorbs heat energy. When it goes back to liquid, it loses heat energy. Each transformation takes place on its own side of the heat pump. Hence, the system gains heat from the side that is to be cooled and transferred to the place that is to be warmed.
What are the different types of heat pumps?
There are three main types of heat pumps. There is air-to-air (in both ducted and ductless), water source, or geothermal. Heat is collected from either the air, water, or the ground outside of your home or business and is concentrated for use inside your home or business.
Ducted and ductless air-source heat pumps
This type of heat pump is the most common and frequently used. It works by transferring between the air outside of the home and the air inside of the home. In Gaithersburg, the installation of ducted or ductless heat pumps can conserve a whopping HALF of your electricity usage compared to furnaces and baseboard-style heaters.
Geothermal (ground or water-source) heat pumps
One of the most efficient styles of heat pump is geothermal, which transfers heat from either a water source or the ground beneath your home. A geothermal heat pump installation is more expensive to install but, depending on where you live, can reduce usage of energy up to 60% and can also be used to control humidity. They have a lower operating cost due to consistent ground temperatures.
Should you consider a heat pump in Gaithersburg?
Now that you know more about heat pumps and how they work, you may decide you want one for your home. While the upfront cost is higher for installation of a heat pump in Gaithersburg, if you expect to remain in your home for many years, you will easily earn back this money in the form of lowered energy costs, due to the high efficiency of a heat pump.
Additionally, according to a University of Maryland study from the Center of Global Sustainability, when you install a heat pump in your home, you increase the value of your home by between $10,000 and $17,000.
Contact Presidential Heating & Air Conditioning today to find out more about getting a heat pump installed in your home.