Summer will be coming soon to the Los Angeles area and if you are in the market for a new cooling system for your home, there are several options. One of these is the heat pump, which can function as both a cooling system and a heating system, while reducing your overall energy usage.
Heat Pump Overview
In cooling mode heat pumps use a set of indoor coils filled with refrigerant to absorb heat from the indoor air, then the refrigerant is pumped to a second set of coils outdoors, where the refrigerant releases its heat and is cooled before going back into the home. A fan on the indoor coils distributes the cool air through the home’s ductwork. During the heating season, the cycle is reversed, removing heat from the outdoor air to bring it inside.
Heat Pump Efficiency
When compared to a standard central air conditioner, heat pumps remove much more humidity from the air, making it feel cooler and more comfortable in your home at higher temperatures, and that translates into less money spent on your utility bills. Heating mode is even more efficient, as long as the home is in a moderate climate. With extra equipment, heat pumps can also be used to heat your household water during the cooling season.
Heat Pump Types
The standard air-source heat pumps use the outside air to heat or cool your home. Geothermal heat pumps, however, use the constant temperature of the earth below ground or in water, such as a pond or well, as the source of heating and cooling energy. They are even more efficient than air-source heat pumps, but they are more expensive to install and require a suitable location for the system on your property. Less common are absorption heat pumps, which typically use gas or propane for heating and cooling, and reverse cycle chillers that heat or cool water for radiant systems.
For more information about whether a heat pump is a good match for your home, contact Around the Clock Air Conditioning and Heating. We have served the Los Angeles area since 1967.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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