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Should You Get a Heat Pump? What You Need to Know
from: SelfHomeImprovement.comHeat pumps are all the rage these days. From TV commercials to builders and contractors, heat pumps have really gotten much more attention in recent years. Some people swear by them and say they would never have a central heating and cooling system again. It is easy to think that heat pumps are going to replace central systems entirely and that if you are updating your temperature control system a heat pump is the only way to go.
But is that really the case? The fact of the matter is that heat pumps are not for everyone. They can make a good option for some homes, but under the wrong circumstances, heat pumps can be a waste of time and money. Here is what you need to know before you decide if you should get a heat pump.
First, why do so many people like heat pump technology anyway? Cost has a lot to do with it. Central heating and cooling systems require the purchase of two separate systems, but a heat pump heats and cools all with one single unit. That means that the up front cost associated with a heat pump is lower, plus, over the life of the system, maintenance costs are less expensive simply because there is less equipment.
Further, heat pumps are less expensive to operate on a daily basis. Central heating systems and cooling systems artificially heat or cool air and then disperse it through your home. Heat pumps work with the heat that already exists in the air. Even on very cold days, there is still heat in the air outside. Heat pumps remove that heat from the air and funnel it into your home. In the summer, heat pumps take the heat in the air inside your how and pump it outside, which helps to lower the temperature within your home. Because there is no artificial manipulation of air temperature, heat pumps require significantly less electricity to operate than central systems. That means you have lower bills every month - this also makes heat pumps a favorite of environmentalists.
Of course, there are some downsides to heat pumps that make them not appropriate for every home. If it gets very cold - below 40 degrees on a regular basis - in the winter or very hot in the summer where you live, a heat pump simply is not up to the job. Your home will not be comfortable. The same goes for very large homes - a heat pump cannot keep up.
Personal preference also keeps people away from heat pumps. If you like your home very warm or very cold, heat pumps aren't for you. They provide moderate temperatures only.
Weigh up your options before going for a heat pump.
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