Winter temperatures in Victorville can fluctuate from chilly to pleasant, which can make maintaining home comfort difficult. Heat pump systems can be beneficial to constant weather fluctuations, because the unit can provide both heating and cooling. Rather than using separate heating and cooling units year round, heat pumps can provide flexibility and many other benefits for your home. In this blog, we will discuss how heat pumps operate and the advantages to installing one in California.
What Is A Heat Pump?
Contrary to popular belief, heat pumps can provide much more than just heating for your home. The term “heat” in the name refers to transferring heat rather than generating it. The home device simply collects heat energy and relocates it to the desired location, whether indoors for heating or outdoors for cooling. Heat pumps use similar operational processes and components for each season to quickly maintain home comfort. Heat pumps can easily be changed from heating to cooling, which is the same process but in reverse.
How Do Heat Pumps Work?
Heat pumps are extremely energy efficient and only utilize electricity to operate. Heat pumps function using six main components: outdoor unit, indoor air handler, refrigerant, compressor, reversing valve, and expansion valve. The three main types of heat pumps are air source, water source, and ground source.
In the winter, heat pumps draw heat energy from outside air, water, or the ground depending on the type of unit. From there, the heat energy is blown over the heat exchanger and causes the liquid refrigerant to evaporate and turn into a gas. The gas is then moved into the compressor, which increases the pressure and raises the temperature. The heat is sent through the air ducts and distributed throughout your home. This process continues until the thermostat setting is met.
Heat pumps use the same process in the summer months, but in reverse. Heat energy is collected inside your home and transferred outside. The cooling process is similar to a standard air conditioner’s process.
Air Source Heat Pumps
Air source heat pumps are the most common type, because of the easy installation process. Air source heat pumps simply draw heat energy from the outside air and relocate it inside. This type of heat pump is beneficial in climates such as Victorville, because temperatures rarely drop below freezing. While heat pumps can operate in cold weather, the unit uses less energy where heat is easily present.
Water Source Heat Pumps
Water source heat pumps are less common, because the unit draws heat from a nearby lake or pond. Water sources are not readily available for most homes, which decreases the likelihood of water source heat pumps throughout the U.S. However, heat transfers more efficiently in water when compared to air which decreases energy usage.
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Ground source heat pumps have components buried underground and function by a ground loop. Ground source heat pumps are more costly to install, but have high efficiency rates. Similar to a cave, the ground is cooler than the air in the summer and warmer than the air in the winter, which makes transferring heat energy an efficient and easy process.
Benefits Of A Heat Pump
Heat pumps can provide many advantages to your home and comfort. Below are four benefits to installing a heat pump in Oak Hills and surrounding areas.
- Energy Efficient
- Environmentally Friendly
- Two-In-One System
- Minimal Maintenance
Energy Efficient
Due to the process of transferring heat rather than generating it, heat pumps use less energy when compared to other heating systems. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, installing an air source heat pump can cut electricity usage in half when compared to electric resistance heating units such as furnaces.
Environmentally Friendly
Heat pumps do not burn fossil fuels to provide heat, which can benefit the environment. Heat pumps strictly operate using electricity and can reduce carbon emissions released into the air. Due to the Inflation Reduction Act, homeowners can receive tax credits and rebates for switching to an energy efficient heating option, such as heat pumps, in 2023. Give us a call to learn more about how to reduce your carbon footprint by installing a heat pump in Victorville!
Two-In-One System
As we mentioned, heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling for your home. Heat pumps can serve as a flexible option when winter and summer temperatures fluctuate. Installing a heat pump can provide convenience and maintain a constant comfortable temperature year round.
Minimal Maintenance
Due to heat pumps being a two-in-one system, the unit can cut down on maintenance and repairs each season. The unit uses the same components to both heat and cool, which makes maintenance and repairs easier and less frequent when compared to servicing two separate units. However, we still recommend servicing your heat pump twice a year to ensure your unit is in good health.
Heat pumps can be a beneficial home comfort system to install in your Victorville home. Consider these benefits when deciding whether to replace or repair your heating system. Our trained technicians can install or repair all types and brands of heat pumps in the Apple Valley area!
