A heat pump, like a hybrid furnace and central air conditioner, delivers both heating and cooling for your home. Heat pumps are far more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional home climate control systems because they circulate and absorb ambient heat rather than producing it through the combustion of fuel or the use of energy-hungry electric resistance. They run on electricity, are relatively straightforward to install in most homes, and may wind up costing less than traditional HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems depending on your region and other considerations such as the price of power.
Although a heat pump may not be the greatest answer for every home, it is a technology to consider the next time you need to repair or replace an HVAC component.
This guide will help you choose the ideal heat pump for your home, whether you have a mini-split or ducted system, want to replace or improve your existing heating and cooling system, or simply want to upgrade to a newer, more efficient heat pump. We'll go over the qualities to look for and provide tips on how to find a certified installation. In addition, we offer advice on how to get the most out of your installed heat pump.
Lantai members may also view our heat pump ratings, which reveal which ducted heat pump brands are the most dependable and have the highest owner satisfaction. Our ratings, which cover 24 brands, are based on information acquired from member surveys that span approximately 13,500 heat pumps installed and used in actual installations between 2005 and 2021. We do not test or recommend any one kind of heat pump system because they are so well suited to particular homes and regions.
The most common type of heat pump, air-source heat pumps, transport heat from the outside into the inside when heating and the converse when cooling. This is accomplished by absorbing heat from the surrounding air. It works similarly to an air conditioner, and while in cooling mode, air-source heat pumps are identical to air conditioners. The two types of appliances have nearly identical parts, a similar look, and are often manufactured by the same companies. Due to a few tiny differences, heat pumps can transmit heat both within and outward.
Until recently, air-source heat pumps were mostly used in the southern United States, where the temperature is excellent for hot summers and moderate winters. However, technological developments have made air-source heat pumps a feasible choice practically everywhere in the country—even in areas with harsh winters. Even on the coldest winter days, contrary to popular belief, there is always some free thermal energy in the atmosphere. Modern cold-climate heat pumps can effectively gather and transfer this free heat into your home.
Despite the fact that heat pumps are largely powered by fossil fuels, they are a less carbon-intensive type of home heating than other options. They become even more environmentally friendly when powered by renewable energy sources such as rooftop or community solar power or a cleaner grid. Due to the energy savings and environmental benefits of heat pumps, some governments and utility providers offer rebates or other incentives to homes who install them.
A heat pump can be used in conjunction with an existing heating system or as the sole source of heating and cooling in your house. Many homes with existing forced-air HVAC systems can be converted to incorporate heat pumps. Mini-splits, also known as ductless heat pump systems, can provide climate control to regions not served by the main system or heat and cool a house without ducts.
Using a heat pump in your house is not the same as using a traditional heating system. A modern heat pump performs most efficiently when your thermostat is set at a steady temperature—if you don't turn it down overnight, it will actually save you energy. Furthermore, unlike furnaces, which blast heat for short bursts of time during the day, they function at a low intensity practically continually. They also produce cooler air. Proper air sealing, insulation, and duct sealing are vital regardless of how you heat your home; with heat pumps, these benefits are multiplied.
Heat Pumps of Various Types
Air-source heat pumps, of which air-to-air heat pumps are the most frequent subgroup, are the norm in the United States. This means that rather than using water or the ground to absorb and release heat, they use a forced-air system to heat or cool your home rather than radiators. In most residential structures, two types of air-to-air heat pumps are used.
An air conditioner looks and acts similarly to this type of heat pump. There is an outer unit and an inner unit, both containing aluminum coils and fins to release or absorb heat. A fluid-filled refrigerant line links the two units and transmits heat between them. The external unit also has a compressor that circulates and compresses the refrigerant. The ducts in your home are linked to the inside unit, and a blower blows warm or cold air through them and out of air vents located around the room. According to Lantai member surveys, the average cost for the purchase and installation of a ducted heat pump between 2016 and 2021 was $7,791.
This system, like a ducted model, requires no ductwork to deliver warm or cold air around your home. Rather, one or more independent interior air handlers, also referred to as "heads," located around your home are linked to the outdoor unit. Installing a heat pump in a house or portion of a house without ducts is a common and straightforward option. Air handler heads are typically mounted high on a wall; however, for homeowners who favor that style or lack the requisite space, certain heads can be installed inside the ceiling or floor. Mini-splits are more energy-efficient than ducted heat pumps since they do not require ductwork. Depending on the capacity and number of zones, the cost of buying and installing ductless mini-splits can range from $2,000 to $14,500, but Lantai does not yet have enough brand-specific data to report on the expenses members spend.
The most common type is air-source heat pumps, although there are a few more varieties that have been found to work effectively in specific situations.
Earth-source or geothermal heat pumps absorb and release heat from beneath the earth, where temperatures range from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit year round. They are particularly efficient because, unlike air-source heat pumps, they do not need to compensate for large temperature fluctuations. However, because the heat-exchanging pipes are buried beneath (vertically or horizontally), ground-source systems may not be practicable for tiny lots or those with specific types of soils or landscapes. Systems purchased on the ground can cost up to $30,000 or more. Even using conservative projections, the savings from your utility bills might cover the cost of installation within ten years due to the systems' extraordinary energy efficiency, which can be further reduced by federal and local incentives.
Water-source heat pumps work similarly to ground-source systems, only they are situated at the bottom of ponds rather than being buried. If your property has a sufficient body of water, these can be less expensive and easier to install than ground-source systems.
Air-to-water heat pumps, as opposed to air-to-air varieties, employ external units and transmit heat via a hot-water radiator system. While hydronic radiators are the primary source of heat for many homes in the Northeast and Midwest, air-to-water heat pumps have yet to gain popularity in the United States. Nonetheless, they are common over most of Europe.
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