All about electric heat pumps
Whether you are buying a new home or considering changes to your existing home, an electric heat
pump may be the best solution for your home heating and cooling needs -- especially in our desert climate.
A heat pump is highly efficient because it doesn't manufacture the heat it distributes.
Instead, it finds heat in the outside air and "pumps" or "moves" it into your home in the winter.
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A heat pump can save you as much as 30% on heating costs when
compared to a gas furnace and provides year-round comfort.
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A high-efficiency electric heat pump does a great job of providing
continuous comfort. Gas furnaces often blast certain areas with
heat causing uncomfortable hot spots. Heat pumps provide a more
continuous flow of heat and even temperature.
A heat pump works by simply moving heat in or out of your home, depending on whether you set your system to heating or cooling. The only energy used is the relatively small amount of electricity it takes to
transfer the heat.
During the mild winters in metropolitan Phoenix, when temperatures rarely dip
below freezing, there's plenty of heat in the air you can use. In summer, it
pumps heat from inside the house to the outside, providing efficient cooling.
Heat pumps work using heat transference. That is the principle whereby heat
seeks equilibrium when it comes in contact with cold. In other words, heat
goes to cold. For instance, when you're holding a cold can of soda, your hand
feels like it's getting cold. But actually, the heat is leaving your hand and
heating up the soda.
You can find out more about how a heat pump works
by watching a short video clip and looking at how the parts of a heat pump function.
The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating is an important
consideration when looking for an electric heat pump. The SEER represents
how efficiently a unit operates. Typically, the higher the SEER rating, the more
efficiently it operates and the more energy you save.
Along with the SEER rating, you need to determine what size the electric heat
pump needs to be. A contractor can help you with this. Your contractor should
take into consideration the square footage of your home, the amount of ceiling
and wall insulation, window area and other crucial variables.
Keep in mind that the lowest price does not always mean the best deal.
Service, proper sizing and quality of insulation make a difference in long-term
operating costs. Ask your contractor questions, because all heat pumps are not alike.
To find a contractor, call the SRP Certified Contractor Program at (602) 274-6808 for a referral.