Written on: July 10, 2023
Are you looking into ways to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of your Central Maine home? If so, don’t forget to check out heat pumps.
They may be new here in New England, but they’ve been used for decades overseas and in southern regions here in the United States. Thanks to innovation and technology, they are becoming an outstanding option for homes here in New England as well.
AFC offers expert heat pump installation and service by our team of licensed and experienced service technicians, along with the AFC Comfort Guarantee. Our affordable Comfort Plans help keep your heat pump running at peak efficiency while also helping to protect you from big repair bills.
Interested in heat pumps? We’ve put together some information about them so you can determine if they fit your needs in your home.
A heat pump works by transferring heat instead of creating it, unlike a furnace or boiler system. The popular and affordable type, which is the air-source heat pump, moves heat using refrigerant between the inside and outside of your house.
It consists of two components: an outdoor compressor unit and an indoor air handler (also known as the evaporator). These two components are connected by a conduit which contains tubing, power lines, communication lines and condensate drain lines.
What’s great is that a heat pump can be used for both heating and cooling!
How heat pumps cool your home – The compressor compresses the refrigerant and sends it to the condenser to lose heat, which is transferred to the air outside. The liquid refrigerant goes through a tube to the evaporator and absorbs heat from the indoor air blown over the coils, and the cooled air is distributed throughout your house.
How heat pumps heat your home – During the winter, the heat pump system is reversed, and it draws heat from the outdoor air instead of extracting it from inside the house. As the refrigerant pressure decreases and changes into vapor, it cools down more than the surrounding air. This causes the refrigerant to absorb heat from the area around it because heat energy flows from hot to cold. The compressor then pressurizes the refrigerant back into a hot liquid after it has absorbed all available heat. This hot refrigerant is then sent to your indoor coils where the blower releases the heat into your home.
The installation of an air-source heat pump is quicker than central air conditioning installation because ductwork is not needed. The installation process includes installing an outdoor condenser and indoor air handler, which are connected by small pipes that go through the walls. Minimal drilling is necessary, and one condenser can connect to multiple air handlers. Many heat pump installations can be completed within a day. However, if you require ductwork for central air conditioning, expect several days of messy and disruptive work inside your home.
Heat pump installation offers homeowners quicker installation and more flexibility in positioning indoor units compared to central air conditioning. AFC’s expertise can assist in selecting locations that provide maximum heating and cooling coverage while minimizing visibility.
Installing heat pumps in your home can be more expensive than traditional HVAC equipment. You can learn more about the cost of heat pump installation in our buyer’s guide here. However, there are many ways they can save you money in the long run.
Superior cooling without ductwork – Not having ductwork in your home no longer means you’re stuck with noisy, inefficient window A/C units. Your home will get cooler faster, easier, more energy efficiently with a heat pump.
Zone your heating and cooling for even more energy efficiency – Since each air handler works independently, you only heat and cool the spaces that need it. For example, heat or cool the living areas when you’re using them and the bedrooms at night when you’re sleeping. You can save big on energy costs with zoning!
Save money by ditching the ductwork – According to a report by the Department of Energy, more than 30%of the energy consumed by an HVAC system is wasted due to air leakage through ducts. However, this problem can be avoided if a ductless heat pump system is used instead.
Get a longer life expectancy – Proper maintenance can significantly increase the lifespan of a heat pump compared to a furnace, boiler, or central air conditioning system.
Enjoy superior comfort and energy efficiency with heat pump installation and service from AFC! Get a FREE estimate today.
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