What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a heating and cooling system that moves heat from one place to another instead of making it by burning fuel. In summer it pulls heat out of your house and releases it outdoors, just like an air conditioner. In winter it reverses direction and brings heat in from the outdoor air, or from the ground, and delivers it inside.

That is why one piece of equipment can do the work of both a furnace and an air conditioner. It has become a popular option in the Tri-Cities, where we get both hot summers and properly cold winters.

How the process works

A heat pump relies on refrigerant, which absorbs heat when it evaporates and gives it up when it condenses. A reversing valve switches the direction of flow, so the same coil that absorbs heat in one season releases it in the other.

Even cold outdoor air contains some heat, and a heat pump can draw it out. How well that works as temperatures drop depends on the model, and newer designs handle colder weather better than older ones. Many systems include backup heat, such as electric elements or a gas furnace, for the coldest stretches. Ask about what suits your home.

A heat pump can also feel different from a furnace. The air from the registers is warm, but often not as hot as gas heat, and the system tends to run in longer, gentler cycles. That is normal behaviour, and many owners come to prefer the steadier temperatures once they get used to it.

The main types

Air-source heat pumps are the most common. An outdoor unit exchanges heat with the air, and an indoor unit or air handler sends warm or cool air through your ducts. They install much like a central air conditioner.

Ductless mini split heat pumps use the same principle but skip the ductwork, with one or more wall-mounted indoor units linked to an outdoor unit. They suit additions, older homes without ducts and rooms that need their own control. Air-Tech is a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor, and we also install and service Trane equipment.

Geothermal or ground-source heat pumps exchange heat with the earth through buried loops. They involve more excavation and planning, so they are a bigger project, but the ground stays at a steady temperature all year.

Where a heat pump fits

A heat pump is worth considering when your air conditioner is due for replacement, when you are adding a room, or when you want to heat with electricity rather than gas. It may not be the best choice for every home, and the right answer depends on insulation, ducts, your existing equipment and how you like to heat. A good contractor will look at your house before recommending anything. Financing options may be available through GreenSky.

Keeping a heat pump healthy

Because a heat pump runs in both seasons, it works harder than a standalone air conditioner and needs care throughout the year. Some habits help:

• Replace or clean the filter on schedule, usually every one to three months for a 1 inch filter.
• Keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves, dust, weeds and snow, with space around it.
• Watch for ice on the outdoor unit that does not clear after a defrost cycle.
• Have a technician inspect the coils, electrical connections, reversing valve and refrigerant level twice a year, once before each season.

Refrigerant and electrical work should always be left to a licensed technician. If you would like to know whether a heat pump suits your home, or you already have one that needs attention, Air-Tech's team is at (509) 392-2021, and our AT Advantage Program covers two visits a year.