There are many ways to heat and cool your Modesto, CA home, but few are more efficient than a heat pump. Although heat pumps have been around for decades, they’re rapidly increasing in popularity. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), heat pumps are crucial tools for achieving emissions-reduction goals worldwide. Heat pumps can lower carbon footprints and optimize home comfort. Read on to find out whether a heat pump is right for you.
What Heat Pumps Are and How Do They Work
A heat pump is a single system that keeps your home comfortable in every season. In the summer, it works just like a central air conditioner by pulling warm air from inside your home, running it across refrigerant coils, and sending cooled air back in. In the winter, a built-in reversing valve changes the process. Instead of removing heat from indoors, the system captures heat from the outside air and transfers it inside. Even when temperatures drop below freezing, today’s heat pumps can still pull enough heat from the air to keep your home warm.
Why Are Heat Pumps So Efficient?
Unlike furnaces that burn fuel to create heat, heat pumps work by moving heat from one place to another. Because they transfer heat instead of generating it, they require only a small amount of electricity to keep your home comfortable.
That difference makes heat pumps far more efficient than most other heating options. For example, an electric furnace converts 100% of the electricity it uses into heat, a perfect efficiency rating on paper. However, a heat pump can deliver three to four times more heat energy than the electricity it consumes. In other words, you get more heating power for less energy, which can translate to lower utility bills.
The Benefits of Using a Heat Pump for Year-Round Climate Control
With a heat pump, you get one system that handles both heating and cooling. That means you won’t need to juggle separate equipment for summer and winter, which can save you time and reduce upkeep costs.
Similar to a central air conditioner, heat pump systems have two main parts: an indoor air handler and an outdoor compressor. Together, they keep your home comfortable year-round while cutting down on the number of systems you need to maintain.
Zero-Emissions Climate Control
If you currently rely on a gas furnace, upgrading to a heat pump gives you a heating and cooling system that produces no on-site emissions. This makes heat pumps an excellent choice for homeowners who want to shrink their carbon footprint and move toward a fully electric home.
Heat pumps also deliver strong financial benefits. Heating and cooling typically make up about 43% of the average household’s utility bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). By switching to a heat pump, many homeowners save between $300 and $1,500 per year on energy costs. This makes upgrading to a heat pump one of the most impactful upgrades for both the environment and your wallet.
Healthy Indoor Air Quality
Switching to a heat pump won’t eliminate the need for HVAC air ducts and duct-related indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns. However, it will eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure.
CO is the odorless, colorless gas that fuel-burning appliances produce due to incomplete combustion. With a heat pump, your heating system won’t pose the risk of CO exposure or CO poisoning. You can enjoy healthier IAQ and greater peace of mind.
Even and Consistent Temperature Control
Natural gas furnaces produce heat at temperatures as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, they heat homes quickly. However, with winter temperatures in Modesto rarely dipping below 40 degrees, a natural gas furnace could lead to overly dry indoor air and dry-air problems like:
- Nasal and sinus irritation
- Nighttime nosebleeds
- Static electricity and static shock
- Warped flooring and furnishings
Heat pumps produce even heat over a longer time span. The heat from a heat pump ranges between 90 degrees and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows for better humidity control and creates fewer dry-air problems.
Longer Lifespans
Gas-fired furnaces experience considerable stress throughout their service lives. Fuel combustion and rougher operating conditions accelerate ongoing wear. Heat pumps don’t work as hard, and they operate at significantly lower temperatures. While the average lifespan of a gas furnace is 15 to 20 years, a heat pump could last 20 to 25 years or longer.
What Are the Drawbacks of Installing a Heat Pump?
Like all HVAC equipment types, heat pumps aren’t without their drawbacks. The major drawback of a heat pump is its significantly higher upfront cost. You’ll pay more to install a heat pump than you will to install a gas furnace or AC. However, a heat pump offers the functionality of both an AC and a furnace combined. A single heat pump is typically cheaper to purchase and install than an air conditioner and gas furnace together.
Due to their reputation for efficiency, heat pumps can also add to the value and marketability of homes. Modernizing your HVAC system by installing a heat pump could make your home easier to sell and allow you to demand a higher asking price.
Poor Cold-Weather Performance
Heat pumps have a reputation for poor cold-weather performance. However, this reputation isn’t always deserved. For instance, while entry-level heat pumps might struggle to transfer heat indoors in areas where temperatures fall well below freezing, high-performing heat pumps do not.
In areas like Modesto with relatively moderate winter climates, most heat pumps can maintain efficient cold-weather performance all season long. Even entry-level heat pumps can provide reliable heating at high levels of efficiency when local temperatures dip as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Electricity Costs
One important drawback to consider is the total reliance on electricity that heat pumps create. At times, natural gas prices may be significantly lower than electricity rates. Although heat pumps use less energy for climate control, using electricity rather than natural gas could cost more.
Heat Pumps and Hybrid Heating
For homeowners who prefer the powerful heating gas models provide on chilly days, a hybrid heating system is a great option. These setups combine a heat pump with a natural gas furnace, automatically switching between the two depending on outdoor temperatures. For most of the year, the heat pump operates efficiently in both heating and cooling modes. When temperatures drop significantly, the furnace kicks in to quickly heat your home.
Is a Heat Pump Right for You?
Modesto has the perfect climate for year-round heat pump use. If you’re interested in electrifying your home or if it’s time to replace your furnace and air conditioner, heat pump installation could be worthwhile. Switching to a heat pump is also a great choice for anyone who’s tired of wintertime problems with excessively dry indoor air.
Loves Air offers expert heat pump installation, maintenance, and repair services in Modesto and the surrounding areas. We maintain a talented team of NATE-certified HVAC technicians and an A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating. With competitive and upfront pricing, as well as financing on approved credit, superior customer service, and solid workmanship warranties, we’ve been a top choice for local HVAC service since 2009.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced technicians.
