Is a Heat Pump the Right Solution for Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling in your Home?

The heat pump is gaining popularity these days as an energy efficient heating and cooling solutions. This is no surprise because a heat pump can be a very efficient device, and we are all trying to squeeze out a little extra efficiency in our day-to-day lives. With the fluctuating cost of electricity, homeowners are looking for cost-saving means. While a heat pump is energy efficient and is a good alternative to heating and air conditioning, it may not be a practical option for all.

What Exactly is a Heat Pump?

“Heat” may be the operative word in the term heat pump, but its function is more than just keeping your home warm. In fact, this device can switch functions depending on the weather. During summer, it keeps cool air inside the house to keep you comfortable. During the cold months, it reverses its function to bring warm air inside your home to keep you from freezing.

Benefits of Heat Pump

Some of the practical benefits of this device are:

• Cost saving by having just one system for heating and air conditioning
• Lower energy cost through mechanical efficiency that coincides with the rise and fall of electricity rates based on the seasons of the year
• More environment-friendly because a heat pump does not rely on fossil fuel

Is Your House Heat Pump Ready?

Not all houses are equal when it comes to heating and cooling requirements. While a heat pump has a number of practical benefits, you need to assess the condition of your residence first to determine whether it is the right device for you.

Some of the factors that you need to consider are:

• Construction quality of your home
• Built-in insulation properties
• Number of openings and window types
• Design of ductwork
• Orientation of your house to the sun

These factors will affect the heating and cooling efficiency of any HVAC system. Without a proper inspection by a reputable HVAC company, you may end up spending unnecessarily for a new heating and cooling unit that is not able to efficiently handle your heating and cooling needs. While the machine can produce heat even when the temperature outside is below freezing, it may have a hard time maintaining a consistent temperature inside your house if the factors mentioned above are not considered thoroughly. More importantly, your goal of saving on electricity cost will be eliminated because your heat pump will need to work doubly hard to maintain decent room temperature.

The only way to determine heat pump efficiency and to find out if a heat pump can be a practical option for you, is by conducting load calculation in your home. Experts from your local HVAC company, such as Galmiche & Sons, can perform a thorough inspection of your home, considering floor space, openings, and all other factors that affect heating and air conditioning.

Other Options to Consider

A heat pump may be the right and practical solution for your comfort. However, there are other things that you also might want to consider when it comes to heating your home. For example, when the temperature drops lower than 15°F for an extended time, an auxiliary heating device may be needed to assist your heat pump.

If with all things considered, a heat pump is a practical option when it comes to heating and cooling of your home, the experts at Galmiche & Sons can help you select the right system and perform installation and maintenance services to ensure your system remains working properly for years to come. Give us a call today to learn more.