In the winter, an air source heat pump uses the air from outside to heat the inside of a home. Through the process of refrigeration, heat can be extracted from outside air with a temperature as low as 40 degrees farenheight. The pump has a refrigeration system that is composed of a compressor and two copper coils, in which liquid refrigerant continuously flows. While heating, the liquid refrigerant extracts heat from the cold, outside air and forces it into the home.

Many air source heat pumps also have an indoor coil which replicates the heating process to cool a home. Heat is removed from the indoor air and pumped outside, leaving the interior of the house comfortably cool. A pump that both heats and cools is called a split system.

Air source heat pumps have been in use for many decades, but recent innovations and improvements have greatly improved their efficiency and performance over the last three decades. Technological advances such as improved coil and electric motor design and copper tubing with a grooved inner surface coupled with the options of variable speed motors and thermostatic expansion valves have improved the performance and customer satisfaction of heat pumps. Many of these innovations also overcome maintenance related issues such as dirty coils, dirty filters and restricted ducts, which often hindered the performance of past air sourced heat pumps.

Overall an air source heat pump is a good option for heating and cooling needs. The pump does, however, need the air to be at least 40 degrees farenheight to extract heat. When the air temperature falls below this threshold, electric resistance coils must come on to provide heat. These coils reduce the economical efficiency of the heat pump. Many heat pumps are available with a gas heater that will take over the heating responsibilities when the temperature falls below 40 degrees farenheight.

There are many things to consider when selecting one for your home. Three issues that should be thoroughly evaluated are energy efficiency, sizing and the components of the system. They’re rated by the efficiency of both the compressor and the electric-resistance elements. By comparing these ratings for various models, the consumer can choose the most energy and economically efficient heat pump available.

Sizing is a very important aspect of an air source heat pump. Contrary to popular belief, a bigger heat pump will not necessarily provide better heating and cooling. Each pump should be sized according to the requirements of the home. A pump that is too large will continually turn on and off, diminishing its effectiveness. A correctly sized heat pump will more consistently control both the temperature and humidity, providing a more comfortable environment. Quality heating and cooling contractors will not estimate or guess on the size of the heat pump, but will use a variety of measurements to calculate the exact size needed.

The components of an air source heat pump, which includes the design, materials and space, plays an integral role in how effectively it works. The design of the system should be taken into consideration the type of moisture removal needed and the placement of indoor registers and returns. Adequate space should be available for duct work. Duct work that must be squeezed into tight spaces can become restricted, compromising the efficiency and performance of the system. All materials should be durable in nature.

Hiring a qualified, knowledgeable contractor to install the system is also very important. Consumers should not necessarily use the contractor who submits the cheapest bid, but should look at the performance of other systems the contractor has installed and speak with past customers for references. Many problems with air source heat pumps originate from contractors who use incorrect or inadequate installation techniques.

There are steps to help improve the performance and efficiency of a pump. The house should be well insulated and have energy efficient windows. Placing the heat pump on the north side of the house with at least ten feet of clearance on each side is also recommended. Routine maintenance of changing interior air duct filter, cleaning outside coils, compressor, and blades and keeping the area around the outside unit helps increases the life-span and performance of a pump.

A properly sized, installed and maintained pump can provide years of efficient performance and comfort for the average homeowner.

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Category: Home Management
Keywords: heating, environment, ground source heating, home