In Shreveport, heat pumps can be a popular option for heating and cooling your house.
They look very similar to an air conditioner. In reality, they operate in a similar fashion during high temperatures. Because of a reversing valve, they can shift humidity in the opposite direction as well as add warmth to your home when it's cold.
Not sure if you rely on a heat pump or an air conditioner? Just locate the model number on the outdoor unit and run it online. If you discover you use a heat pump, or you’re thinking over getting one, find out how this HVAC equipment keeps homes comfortable.
How Heat Pumps Run
Heat pumps rely on a refrigeration system much like an air conditioner. Most can operate like a ductless mini-split, as they can heat and cool. Heat pumps use an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is moved through these coils to move warmth. The outdoor unit also uses a compressor and is enclosed by metal fins that act as a heat sink to help shift heat effectively.
Summertime Cooling
In cooling mode, the refrigerant starts in the evaporator coil. Air from within the house is distributed over the coil, and the refrigerant removes warmth. Water in the air also condenses on the coil, falling into the condensate pan below and flows away. The resulting cool air flows through the ductwork and back into your house.
During this time, the refrigerant passes through a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This constricts the refrigerant, forcing it to heat up even more. As it goes through the condensing coil, the outside fan and metal fins help to exhaust heat to the outdoors. The refrigerant travels back indoors, passing through an expansion valve that lowers its temperature it considerably, readying it to go through the process from the beginning.
When your heat pump is replaced and maintained properly, you’ll receive efficient cooling similar to an energy-efficient air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
When your heat pump is heating, the heat exchange cycle happens the opposite way. By moving in a different direction, refrigerant pulls heat from the outdoor air and adds it into your home to warm the inside.
Heat pumps operating in heating mode are most effective when the temperature is warmer than freezing outside. If it gets too cold, a backup electric resistance heater turns on to keep your residence comfortable, but your heating costs rise as a result.
Heat pumps operate longer than furnaces because the air doesn’t get as warm. This helps keep a more balanced indoor temperature. On top of that, because heat pumps shift heat rather than making it from a fuel source, they can perform well above 100% efficiency. You should receive 30–40% savings on your heating bills by switching to a heat pump.
Request Heat Pump Installation or Service Now
Heat pumps are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. They are a substitute for the standard AC/furnace configuration and should have the same amount of maintenance—one service in the spring and another in the fall.
If you want to install a heat pump, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the Expert to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your equipment to match your heating and cooling demands. And then we’ll support our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. For more information, contact us at 318-588-8163 right away.