What is a heat pump? Is it better than an air conditioner?
In the summer, a heat pump is no different than an air conditioner. In the winter, a heat pump operates in reverse and heats the indoors. Heat pumps need auxiliary heat (electric resistance heat or gas furnace) to help them when it is real cold or when the thermostat is moved more than 2 degrees at a time. The initial investment for a heat pump is higher than for an air conditioner, they have higher maintenance costs, and the ductwork must be exactly right for proper operation. One common complaint of a heat pump is that the air coming out of the registers is not hot enough (compared to a gas furnace). With all their drawbacks, heat pumps will reduce the winter heating bills.
In the summer, a heat pump is no different than an air conditioner. In the winter, a heat pump operates in reverse and heats the indoors. Heat pumps need auxiliary heat (electric resistance heat or gas furnace) to help them when it is real cold or when the thermostat is moved more than 2 degrees at a time. The initial investment for a heat pump is higher than for an air conditioner, and the ductwork must be exactly right for proper operation. One common complaint of a heat pump is that the air coming out of the registers is not hot enough (compared to a gas furnace). With all their drawbacks, heat pumps will reduce the winter heating bills. However, if you have electric heating, the savings is dramatic and you will probably want to stay with a heat pump.
In the summer, a heat pump works in exactly the same way as an air conditioner, i.e., cooling your home or office by moving heat from the inside to the outside. In the winter, a heat pump operates in “reverse”, moving heat from the outside to the inside of your home or office. Even though it feels “cold” outside during the winter, there is still plenty of heat in the air that can be captured by a heat pump. After all, Absolute Zero, or the total absence of heat energy, occurs at minus 459 degrees! Also, heat pumps have auxiliary electric or gas heating systems that automatically come on to provide more heat when the temperature outside falls below 40 degrees or when the thermostat temperature is increased more than 5 degrees at a time. The initial investment for a heat pump is somewhat higher than for an air conditioner with a gas furnace, they have somewhat higher maintenance costs, and ductwork must be of good design and in proper repair for proper operation.
In the summer, a heat pump is no different than an air conditioner. In the winter, a heat pump operates in reverse and heats the indoors. Heat pumps need auxiliary heat (electric resistance heat or gas furnace) to help them when it is really cold or when the thermostat is moved more than 2 degrees at a time. Natural Gas and fuel oil prices have tripled in recent years. Heat pumps using more stable electrical rates are now an even more economically attractive alternative. One common complaint of a heat pump is that the air coming out of the registers is not hot enough (compared to a gas furnace). The new “York Affinity” heat pump is designed to deliver warmth and coziness not found in other units.
In the summer, a heat pump is no different than an air conditioner. In the winter, a heat pump operates in reverse and heats the indoors. Heat pumps need auxiliary heat (electric resistance heat or gas furnace) to help them when it is very cold or when the thermostat is moved more than 2 degrees at a time. The initial investment for a heat pump is higher than for an air conditioner, and the ductwork must be right for proper operation. One common complaint of a heat pump is that the air coming out of the registers is not hot enough (compared to a gas furnace). With all their drawbacks, heat pumps will reduce the winter heating bills. However, if you have electric heating, the savings is dramatic and you will probably want to stay with a heat pump.
