Heat Pump Comparisons

A heat pump can cut your heating and cooling bills without a doubt. But what are heat pumps exactly? Some everyday examples are things like refrigerators and freezers, air conditioners. These all use what is know as reversible-cycle heat pumps for providing thermal cooling or heating as needed to perform their function.

Heat Pump Comparisons What You Need To Know!

Throughout our site we will provide you with up to date information about heat pumps as well as some comparisons of the different types.

 Is a heat pump better than a standard oil or gas system?

Well the answer to that question is definitely maybe. What I mean by that is there are several factors that need to be taken into account when planning the type of heating and cooling system that is the best fit for your home and budget.

First of all a new high efficiency heat pump will cost more up front than a standard heating and cooling system, but it will also pay you back faster in the monthly energy savings. Heat pumps work by bringing in warm air from outside the home to heat the living space in cold weather and they will do the reverse when the weather is hot out side to cool the living space.

Heat pumps work on the same technology that a refrigerator uses and not a fuel or combustion model like gas and oil heaters do. This is one reason why they are so efficient and did I mention clean to use.

The efficiency of a heat pump is based on the SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) and the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor).The higher these numbers are the more efficient the unit is.

An important consideration when buying a heat pump is not just how high the SEER and HSPF numbers are, but the climate where you live. 

For instance, if you live in an area where you will need the unit to cool more of the year than heat it, then the most important number for you to look at is the SEER. Conversely if you will need more heating for your area then the HSPF is the more important number.

One of the newer and most advanced types of heat pumps is the inverter heat pump. This type of unit allows for a more controlled temperature throughout the living space along with some other cost saving features.

The inverter type is the most expensive type of heater when compared to a conventional heat pump, but you may find that it is the best choice for you if you will be using it for heating the water or radiant floor heating in your home.

You will find more heat pump comparisons on the pages of our site.