Heat Pump Services

A heat pump is an efficient energy system that can both heat and cool buildings. In winter, it takes warmth from outdoor air (even at low temperatures) or from the ground and brings it inside. In summer, the pump reverses the process and uses outdoor air (or ground) coolness to lower indoor temperatures. This system has the potential to save major bucks. And that's because you're not using fuel to produce heat. You're using energy to move heat around and doing it with a lot of efficiency. In fact, heat pumps are possibly more efficient than any other system out there for doing that job.

Typically, professional servicing of heat pumps should occur at least once a year, with timing preferably just before the peak heating or cooling periods. Though heat pumps have the potential to serve as efficient and effective heating and cooling systems, they can serve near that potential only if they receive the maintenance that all air delivery systems need. This maintenance can serve not only to keep the systems running and running well—keeping occupants comfortable and happy—but also to keep energy bills in check since improperly maintained systems can serve up "surprise" bills in addition to their serving near the potential that their efficiencies promise.

There are many benefits to heat pumps, the most significant ones being energy efficiency, operating cost savings, and the versatility they have in temperature control. They're capable of both heating and cooling spaces, which means you can eliminate the need for separate heating and cooling systems. Moreover, if you're concerned about the amount of carbon your household is spitting into the atmosphere, contemporary heat pumps can and do reduce that significantly compared to the kinds of heating systems you'd typically find in a home powered by natural gas or heating oil.

Typically, a heat pump will last around 10 to 15 years, but its lifespan can be impacted by several factors. If a unit is not installed well, it might not last as long as it should. The same goes if the heat pump is used inappropriately. If it is not used in a way that matches its strengths, it can fail or wear out faster than is typical. Still, even the best heat pump will not last longer than around 10 to 15 years if it is not given proper maintenance. This maintenance includes annual tune-ups and keeping the system in good repair.

Strange sounds such as grinding, squeaking, or rattling can indicate trouble within the heat pump's inner workings. Poor heating or cooling performance, inconsistent temperature regulation, or the heat pump running nearly all the time (as suggested by an unusually high energy bill) might hint at some drop in energy performance. On top of that, if the heat pump seems to be cycling on and off frequently, or if you notice ice starting to build up on the outdoor unit during the winter, that's a pretty serious red flag. A professional needs to look at it and soon.

Today's heat pumps are capable of giving satisfactory performance in the modern cold. Some models are rated down to about -15 degrees Fahrenheit and are still condensed to 50 percent of the indoor temperature, so they are still producing heat. However, this is not really the performance we'd like to see in sound, reliable heating for the environment when temperatures drop that low.The majority of heat pump (space) systems—you've got a condenser outdoor that's gotten the heat removed from the refrigerant—will struggle to condensate down to 50°F in the outdoor air. Therefore, the heat pump (space) system is not going to struggle to perform efficiently, and it is not going to suck down that 50°F heat with an unreasonable compressor load.

The initial costs of heat pump systems can differ a lot, and for some very good reasons. The type of heat pump system, the size of the house, and where in the world you live can all make the prices swing widely. For air source heat pumps, you might pay anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000—that's your basic range. For ground source heat pumps, it gets a lot pricier, going anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000. And when you start factoring in the price of equipment, local labor (which can really vary), and the system's design complexity on top of that, you can see how some homeowners end up paying a lot more.

Setting up a heat pump is a complicated affair that requires not just basic knowledge but also professional certification to ensure that all the necessary steps are followed and nothing is shortchanged. When we look at what must be done, we find that it requires a number of specialized areas to be covered. First, and perhaps most importantly, is that the unit must be properly wired to handle the electrical load. Second, the refrigerant must be properly handled and set up. Third, the ductwork must be suitably modified and/or replaced (if the structure is to have the unit sense the heated/cooled air properly, it must be able to move said air without producing too much sound or working against the unit). Finally, the system must be calibrated so that it, and not some other appliance, senses the temperature and works accordingly.

Basic upkeep is something that homeowners can manage themselves. This is really a matter of keeping the system as a whole clear and clean. This means checking the air registers, cleaning them if necessary (and it is usually necessary), and then ensuring that they are installed in a manner that allows for easy access and makes the system as a whole fairly easy to "use." End users might not really enjoy what comes next, but it is necessary; keeping the outdoor unit clear of vegetation, leaves, and debris will really help the system run better and last longer.

Heat pumps are a green technology. They do not burn fossil fuels or use electricity in ways that result in harmful emissions. Furthermore, when heat pumps are powered by electricity from renewable sources—such as wind and solar power—they can produce heating and cooling with very low (if not zero) associated greenhouse gas emissions.