What is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is capable of both heating and cooling your home. It is equipment designed to transfer heat from one place to another. On warm days, heat is extracted from indoors and transferred outside. The opposite happens on cold days, your home is warmed with heat energy from outside – even at temperatures as low as -10°C. The heat pump is an efficient way to heat and cool your home while reducing your carbon footprint.
The Benefits of Heat Pumps
- A heat pump can reduce space heating costs by 50% compared to electric resistance heating
- Heat pumps do not create carbon emissions as they don’t burn fuel
- They run more frequently to help make your home have a more even temperature
- A heat pump is a quiet home comfort system as they are designed to promote smooth and quiet airflow
- Heat pumps can also cool your home in the summer
Types of Heat Pumps
A mini-split is the most common and have the heat pump located outside as well as a part inside that can be retrofitted to your home easily with minimal installation.
An absorption heat pump is designed for larger homes (over 4,000 square feet) and are run on natural gas, propane, solar-heated water or geothermal heated water rather than electricity.
Heat Pumps for Existing Furnaces
You don’t need a new heating or cooling system installed in your home to reap the benefits of a heat pump. Some heat pumps can be added to your existing furnace for use during moderate seasons like spring and fall. At these times of year, you may not need the full power of your furnace, but a heat pump can help to keep your home more comfortable.
Installing a heat pump in your house could qualify you for a potential rebate, a Bryan’s Fuel sales representative can help determine if you qualify.
