The term ‘heat pump cooling’ is not one that is often used though it has so many benefits that it should be more well-known. A heat pump cooling system is very similar to an air conditioner. Both employ thermodynamics in their workings, meanings that they take the warm air and spit out cool air. So what makes a heat pump cooling system better or different to an air conditioner?
Both of these systems use heat transference to take the warm air and make it cool. Generally, any air cooling system will make use of a refrigeration cycle and a coolant. In older units, the coolant used was Freon, though these days our technology has advanced and other sources work just as well.
This refrigerant is compressed and this allows it to suck in the heat from the air around it. It is then decompressed and air is blown over it, releasing coolness into the atmosphere. In a heat pump cooling system however, a process known as ‘reverse refrigeration’ is used. This means that you can choose warm or cold air at the touch of a button. This makes a heat pump cooling system a better choice for home and office than an air conditioner.
So how do buy a good one? Well is all comes to SEER. This acronym stands for the seasonal energy efficiency ratio, which is a measurement tool that determines how much heat a pump can take out of the air and transfer to cool air. Generally, when looking to buy a heat pump cooling system, you want one that has a high SEER rating, but the higher the SEER rating, the higher the price, so be sure it is one you can afford.
Besides the reasons given above, there are other advantages to owning a heat pump cooling system. Just one of these is the fact that you do not have to install a separate system to heat and cool. As mentioned above, a heat pump doesn’t use a coolant, like traditional air conditioners. This means that you can decide whether it is heating or cooling time in your home.
Also, since they transfer the heat, rather than using a type of fuel, they are better for the environment. A furnace that burns gas has to use a fuel to work, thus making an impact on our natural resources. A heat pump cooling system uses no fuel, thus it is more ‘green’. Also, they work really well in temperate climates, so if your area doesn’t experience extreme heat or cold, this little treasure could save you a significant amount on your monthly utility bills.
Need to heat a pool? No problem. Want
to install a hot tub? Think heat pump cooling. That’s right. The heat pump cooling system doesn’t just work in your home or office. These systems are used to heat all manner of spaces, including pools and hot tubs. There are various types of heat pumps available for all manner of situations. The split heat pump, for example, is great for use indoors since it is really small. The reverse cycle chiller is great for heating and cooling of water. And then, there’s the Cold Climate heat pump. This is bigger than some of the others and is built specifically for lower temperatures, as is the All Climate pump.
The benefits of using heat pumps include:
- A heat pump cooling system will save you money on utilities provided you live in an area where the climate is moderate.
- The heat that these systems produce is not as intense as that produced by a gas furnace, so there’s less chance of overheating a room or wasting fuel.
- Heat pumps distribute the warm air all through the house, so it doesn’t matter what room you in. you can still benefit from the warmth of the heat pump.
- A heat pump turns on and off less frequently than a gas furnace, so it’s an energy saver.
When you buy a heat pump there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure you get the best machine at the best price. For example, as mentioned above, the pump’s SEER rating will let you know how good a job it can do and how much energy it will use to cool or heat your home. Also important is the HSFP rating, which stands for heating seasonal performance factor. This is the calculation of how much energy is used for heating versus the energy pumped into your home. It is a difficult to understand rating, but if you are buying a heat pump cooling system, know that you want an HSFP rating of anywhere from 8 to 10.
There are lots of extras that you can fit your heat pump cooling system with too, including dual mode compressors and motors, which are great for saving energy. You can also get a desuperheater coil. This coil recycles waste heat to change the temperature of water. Also useful is a scroll compressor that ensures your unit is quieter and lasts longer.
When buying a heat pump cooling system, you need to ask yourself a few questions, for example, how extreme the weather is in your city, what you will use it for an of course, what you can afford. Too many people make the mistake of assuming they cannot afford a heat pump cooling system, and so they go for the usual oil heater, gas furnace or even air conditioning system. However, if you think through the long term savings of a heat pump and how much more efficient it is, you will quickly come around to the idea of buying one.
The most important thing to remember is that a heat pump will save you money, help the environment and do the job you have bought it for. If this is something that appeals to you, purchase a heat pump cooling system and see how its many benefits could help you heat and cool your home in the short and long term.
