How a Heat Pump Cools Your Residence

In Fort Lauderdale, heat pumps can be a popular solution for heating and cooling your residence. 

They look about the same as an air conditioner. In fact, they work in a nearly identical way during hot weather. Due to a reversing valve, they can move humidity in the opposite direction as well as heat your home in the winter. 

Not sure if you have a heat pump or an air conditioner? Simply track down the model number on the outdoor unit and run it online. If it turns out you own a heat pump, or you’re considering getting one, learn more about how this HVAC system keeps homes comfortable. 

How Heat Pumps Run 

Heat pumps depend on a refrigeration system like an air conditioner. Most can operate like a ductless mini-split, because they can heat and cool. Heat pumps have an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is sent through these coils to move humidity. The outdoor unit also has a compressor and is surrounded by metal fins that act as a heat sink to help move warmth properly. 

Summertime Cooling 

When your heat pump is cooling, the refrigerant begins in the evaporator coil. Air from within the house blows over the coil, and the refrigerant removes warmth. Wetness in the air also condenses on the coil, dripping into the condensate pan below and drains away. The ensuing dehumidified air moves through the ductwork and back into your home. 

Meanwhile, the refrigerant passes through a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This concentrates the refrigerant, forcing it to get hotter. As it moves through the condensing coil, the outside fan and metal fins help to discharge heat to the outside. The refrigerant travels back indoors, passing through an expansion valve that cools it significantly, preparing it to start the process from the start. 

When your heat pump is put in and maintained properly, you’ll receive efficient cooling on par with an energy-saving air conditioner. 

Wintertime Heating 

In heating mode, the heat exchange cycle occurs the opposite way. By traveling in the opposing direction, refrigerant pulls heat from the outdoor air and disperses it into your residence to warm the interior. 

Heat pumps running in heating mode are most useful when the temperature remains above freezing outside. If it becomes too cold, a backup electric resistance heater turns on to keep your residence cozy, but your heating expenses increase as a result. 

Heat pumps run longer than furnaces because the air doesn’t become as warm. This helps sustain a more balanced indoor temperature. Additionally, because heat pumps shift warmth rather than making it from a fuel source, they can operate well above 100% efficiency. You should receive 30–40% savings on your heating bills by using a heat pump. 

Request Heat Pump Installation or Service Now 

Heat pumps are a green choice and cost-effective. They are a substitute for the traditional AC/furnace setup and require the same amount of maintenance—one appointment in the spring and another in the fall. 

If you’d like to install a heat pump, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning is the Expert to contact. We’ll size and install your system to fit your heating and cooling needs. And then we’ll back our work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. For more information, contact us at 954-736-4314 right away.