Homeowner tips

What are heat pumps and how do they work?

What are heat pumps?

Heat pumps are quickly becoming a sustainable and affordable alternative to traditional heating and cooling methods. Its popularity is increasing as home and property owners are purchasing them to replace furnaces and air conditioning units as well as installing them in new construction projects. Because heat pumps are so versatile, they have the capability of replacing both traditional furnaces and air conditioning units.

Why customers are choosing heat pumps

Heating and cooling a home or business can be expensive. In fact, Energy.gov states that residential heating uses more energy and costs more money than any other system in a home — typically making up about 29% of a utility bill. Because heat pumps transfer heat using electricity instead of generating heat like furnaces, an energy bill using a heat pump will be significantly lower. Today's heat pump can reduce your electricity use for heating by approximately 50% compared to electric resistance heating such as furnaces and baseboard heaters. 

How are heat pumps sustainable?

Furnaces use fossil fuels to generate heat, whereas heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat to different spaces. By using no natural gas to function, heat pumps are a far more sustainable heating and cooling method.

Heat pumps are gaining mass popularity across the globe as an alternative and sustainable solution to traditional heating and cooling. New legislation like the regional efficiency standards in the U.S., the EU Renewable Directive and the need to reduce the reliance on coal-fired heating plants in China are all driving more energy-efficient technologies in heating and cooling applications around the world.

Phasing out furnaces and using heat pumps could eliminate almost all source emissions from heating and cooling especially when paired with renewable energy sources and with building structures designed for efficiency.

How do heat pumps work with smart thermostats?

Heat pumps work well with smart home technology. As more homes are being integrated with smart technology, heat pumps can connect to these smart tools, including Sensi smart thermostats. A smart thermostat compatible with a heat pump allows a homeowner to control the AC, ventilation, heat pump and fans with some models able to run humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

How do heat pumps function?

Heat pumps do not generate heat as furnaces do; they transfer it. Refrigerant is key to making heat pumps work. When refrigerant is flowing properly throughout the evaporator, condenser, compressor and expansion valve components, heat pumps can both heat and cool a room. Heat can be added or removed from a room via refrigerant. When used with the components listed, refrigerant can absorb heat and provide cooling.

How do heat pumps work to cool a home?

A heat pump works just like a typical air conditioner would in the summertime. Heat pumps use refrigerant to absorb unwanted heat and transfer it outside. The pressure of the refrigerant extracts heat from any space, regardless of how hot the weather is outside.

How do heat pumps work to heat a home?

A heat pump heats a home in a very similar way it cools one. Heat pumps extract heat from the outside and transfer it into a home to make it warmer. Winter weather often still provides a certain amount of heat in the air outside making it possible for heat pumps to do this. The extracted heat and pressurized gas raise the temperature and thus heats the home.

Types of heat pumps

There are three main types of heat pumps. Each of them transfers heat from either air, water or the ground outside a home.

Air: Air heat pumps, the most used type, transfer heat between a house and the outside air. These types of heat pumps can more efficiently dehumidify a space when compared to a traditional air conditioner. The result is less energy use. For homes without air ducts, air-source heat pumps are also available in a ductless version.
Water: Water-sourced heat pumps efficiently extract heat from water instead of air. This type of heat pump is often used in high-rise buildings and can be installed above a ceiling or in a closet.
Geothermal: Geothermal-sourced heat pumps transfer heat from the ground surrounding your home. This type of heat pump can be used in various types of climates due to relatively constant ground temperatures.

Find out which type of heat pump is right for you and search for energy efficiency rebates in your area.