Currently, you have a boiler, furnace, or other similar heating system. If it’s approaching its last leg, you may realize you need to look into getting a replacement. Should you stick with what you have or change to a heat pump? This guide will help you understand how a heat pump works and if it has the ability to replace your current heating solution.

How a Heat Pump Works

A heat pump can heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer. Rather than burning fuel or using electric resistance, this pump moves heat from outside and brings it into your home. While that winter air may feel chilly to you, it does contain heat.

The unit will absorb that heat and run it through an evaporator coil, a compressor, and then a condenser coil, all of which help heat up the air before it travels through your home’s ductwork.

Comparing a Heat Pump to Other Heating Systems

Overall, the heat pump can operate more efficiently than other systems because it moves heat rather than producing it. You may notice a decrease in your utility bills when you start using a heat pump due to the fact that it uses less electricity than electric furnaces or resistance heaters.

Whenever you begin using a heat pump instead of other options, you may discover your home heats more evenly. For one, it has longer and steadier run cycles. A heat pump cycles more often, so it continuously circulates air. It also controls humidity better. The warm air from the pump rises more slowly than the hot air from the furnace, which moves upward quickly. Often, a heat pump has zoning capabilities, allowing each space in your home to receive the amount of air it requires to remain comfortable.

Like other heating systems, you can use a heat pump for small, medium, or large houses. However, you must have the right size for your space for it to work effectively.

Additional Heating Sources Are Sometimes Necessary

In colder climates, homeowners may find they need an additional heat source to compensate for their pump not producing enough heat. Since it’s taking heat from outside, it might not always be able to keep up with the demand, especially in cold climates or during extended periods of frigid temperatures.

A heat pump uniquely heats your home, and it may even be a more energy-efficient way to keep your house warm. However, you’ll need to make sure you have the right size for your home.

Reach out to Sky Heating, AC, Plumbing & Electrical, serving Tualatin, OR, and the surrounding areas, to discuss your options for heat pumps. We can help you determine if it’s the right option for your home.