Do You Really Save Money With a Heat Pump?
Energy bills can really add up. Fortunately, there are ways to save money by using more efficient energy sources. If you feel like it’s costing too much to keep your home at a comfortable temperature using heating and cooling, it may be time to consider an alternative source. Homeowners are turning to heat pumps as an economic alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems.
You may be wondering, do you really save money with a heat pump? Below we detail the advantages of a heat pump and how it can cut costs on your energy bill. Let’s explore heat pumps, how they work, why they are so efficient, and how this can save you money.
What Is a Heat Pump and How Does It Work?
Before exploring the economic advantages of a heat pump, it’s important to understand how it works and why it is so efficient. A heat pump can do the job of both a heating and cooling system. Using electricity, a heat pump moves heat from one location to another. Rather than generating heat and distributing it through a forced-air system, heat pumps absorb heat energy from outside air and redistribute it indoors.
When a heat pump is in the heating mode, it extracts heat from outdoors and transfers it indoors. Even when temperatures are cold outside, a heat pump can extract the warm air that is present. Using electricity, refrigerant, and a series of copper coils, this warm air is absorbed and transferred indoors.
This process is reversed when it is in the cooling mode, transferring the heat inside your home out and instead replacing it with cool air. This process of transferring heat, rather than generating it, uses considerably less energy than traditional methods of heating and cooling.
Saving Money Through Energy Efficiency
Since heat pumps transfer heat, rather than generate it, they use less energy and are more energy efficient. The amount of electricity used to run a heat pump is less than the electricity used to power other types of electrical heating and cooling systems.
Another way to measure efficiency is through the energy-efficiency ratio (EER). The EER is an energy-performance rating that provides a ratio for the amount of electricity used in relation to the output useful energy. Simply put, it measures how many watts of electricity are needed to produce useful cooling. The higher the EER, the higher the amount of cool air provided for every watt of energy used.
So, using the EER, do you really save money with a heat pump? Heat pumps have high EERs because electricity is only needed to power two fans: a compressor and a pump. This means that a heat pump can provide more than three units of heat for every unit of electricity used. This differs from traditional systems that generate heat, commonly using about one unit of electricity to produce one unit of heat.
Reducing Energy Bills
Because of this energy efficiency, heat pumps can provide heating and cooling at a quarter of the cost of conventional heating or cooling appliances, such as a furnace or air conditioner. Typical heat pumps can reduce the amount of electricity used for heating up to 40 percent.
Additionally, innovations are being developed that improve the efficiency of typical heat pumps. These high-efficiency heat pumps save even more energy while comfortably controlling the heating and cooling in your house. Two-speed compressors can operate close to heating or cooling capacity. Models with variable-speed technology can operate at various levels of output based on the conditions of your home, adjusting the speed so that it maximizes comfort and energy savings. These high-efficiency heat pumps are also able to recover waste heat from the cooling process and heat water more efficiently than a conventional water heater.
This means, maintaining a comfortable home does not need to add severe costs to your energy bills. Running the heat pump to cool or heat your home can actually reduce your electricity bill when compared to using a furnace or air conditioner.
Installing a Heat Pump Does More Than Save Money
In addition to the savings, a heat pump can also minimize your environmental impact by reducing your carbon footprint. One of the largest contributing factors to our carbon footprint is the emission of greenhouse gases. Switching to high-efficiency appliances, such as a heat pump, can significantly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
Not only can installing a heat pump save you money on energy bills and reduce harmful emissions, it can also increase the comfort of your home. Heat pumps are typically quieter than conventional heating and cooling systems, reducing the noise pollution within your home. They can also improve air quality by filtering the air and dehumidifying the rooms. The dehumidifier in the heat pump can reduce odor, mildew, dust, and the formation of mold on furniture or linens. With a heat pump, your home can feel more comfortable while using less energy and increasing indoor air quality.
If you are ready to save money on future energy bills by installing a heat pump, contact Entek today. We provide quality heating and cooling services and pride ourselves on being an industry leader. We work hard to provide the best products and services for all your heating and cooling needs. If you are looking for optimal comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency in your Portland or Vancouver area home or workspace, we are here to help.
Now that you know the benefits of a heat pump and how it can save you money, consider making the switch. With a variety of heat pumps available, your home can easily transition. Whether your house has preexisting ductwork, can support a ductless heat pump, or needs a hybrid heat pump with a back-up furnace for colder climates, there is a heat pump that is right for you.
