When old heating systems, HVACs or furnaces start to reach the end of their life, the question frequently comes up now about whether to consider a heat pump instead for a replacement. The difference can be noticeable in a variety of ways, from cost to performance. However, for some locations and situations, a heat pump has been turning out to be a competitive choice to the traditional home heating system.
Options for Heating Replacement
The three big categories for home heating tend to be stand-alone furnaces, heat pumps, and HVAC systems. While there are other choices like fireplaces and pellet burning, these are starting to be phased out in many regions due to air pollution restrictions. The big one by the majority now is clearly the standard HVAC system with newer housing, but furnaces were common for decades in older housing and regions where AC isn’t needed. A heat pump, on the other hand, is a newer approach, utilizing the temperature of the earth to help balances out the temperature of a home.
Unlike an HVAC or furnace approach, a heat pump doesn’t utilize significant amounts of energy fuel. Instead, it works on the principle of recirculating air, changing its temperature by pushing the air through tubes in the ground where the temperature is different than in the home. So, for example, where the air might be cold from the home, the heat pump and earth can be warmer, so air pushed through these channels underground warms it up naturally, and then the air goes back into the home to heat it up. While a heat pump isn’t going to raise a home to 90 degrees per se, it can be quite useful for raising ambient temperature and reducing utility costs at the same time.
In terms of cost and heat pump vs furnace, clearly the heat pump wins out over time. But, again, maximum convenience is a different picture.
What to Expect with a Heat Pump
As mentioned above, yes, a heat pump can definitely help save on utility costs over time. It’s far more energy efficient with regards to ambient temperature and over all control of a home heating and cooling relative to the temperature of the earth. Many who use heat pumps then just concentrate their particular temperature interest to the room they are in at the time.
Heat pumps do come with a dual function. They work as both heating and air conditioning relative to the temperature of the earth to the home. So, technically, a heat pump can be used year-round without concern and with just maintenance on a regular basis. More importantly, doing so keeps a consistent temperature in a home all year long.
The design of heat pump doesn’t work so well where the cold is extreme. When temperatures get below deep freeze level, heat pumps simply can’t generate enough heat to keep a house warm. The above ground cold competition is too strong. In these cases, other home heating is necessary.
Finally, heat pumps typically involve some kind of cost up front for the installation. Most homes are not equipped or set up for a connection, so it has to be made as a new equipment install. This cost is then offset over time by energy savings on utility bills after the fact.
Do Your Research
While a heat pump as a home temperature control option doesn’t work for everyone, the benefits provided are worth considering with in-depth analysis. For some locations with mild seasonal changes, a heat pump can make a lot of sense. Augmented with a few additional options for extreme days, many folks find that a heat pump more than pays for itself and long-term produces a better mix for their type of living.
