Using Heat Pump for Your Home During Winter: What to Know

Heat pumps are popular among homeowners because they are a cost-effective option compared to electric heating methods. Moreover, they are an excellent tool for your year-round heating and cooling needs. However, some homeowners are still doubtful about the abilities of this device, especially during the winter. 

For this reason, it’s vital that you know the basics about it to determine if it’s the right equipment to use for your property or you’re better off with other heating and cooling systems. 

How It Works

Unlike other HVAC systems, a heat pump doesn’t generate heat but instead moves it from one place to another. There’s nothing to worry about because the heat pump can always pull heat out of the air—unless your area experiences below-zero weather, then the device won’t be able to keep up. 

You might be wondering, how does it pull out air? Know that heat pumps use refrigerant to absorb and release heat energy through a method that pressurizes the gas to heat it up, which also depressurizes to cool it down. There are different types of options available in today’s market, but the most common and widely-used is an air-source heat pump. 

Think of it like an aerosol—when you release pressure or air, the released gas feels cold. On the other hand, if you add pressure, it will heat up. Because of this, when the refrigerant in the air pump changes states, the temperature will change as well. The refrigerant is built to reach certain temperatures at specific pressures for maximum efficiency. 

Heat Pump In The Winter

In the winter, the heat pump gathers heat from the outside. When it absorbs all the heat, its outdoor compressor pressurizes the gas into a hot liquid, which then travels to your indoor coils and the blower helps release the heat from the refrigerant into the duct system. 

Did you know that despite the chill outside, there’s still heat to absorb? When it gets cold outside, your heat pump will gather a layer of ice and frost. Don’t worry if this happens because this is normal. Your device features a defrost cycle that pumps hot refrigerant back to the pump to melt the frost and ice, in which cool air may temporarily come out of the vents and register at this time. The defrost cycle will typically take 15 minutes to complete. Such a feature ensures that the device doesn’t get damaged and will still provide heat for the household during the colder months.

Conclusion

Winter calls for efficient home equipment to ensure that there’s sufficient heating inside the property. With a heat pump, you can get the heating you need, and the best part is that it’s a cost-effective option compared to other HVAC systems. Suppose you already have a heat pump at your home. In that case, it’s important to have it checked by a professional to ensure that it’s at its maximum efficiency and can deliver the best performance that will keep you warm during the winter. 

However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you should only have a heat pump checked when winter is approaching. You must schedule an annual service and maintenance with an HVAC contractor to ensure that it will live up to your needs, especially during the cold months. 

We offer heating and air-conditioning services in Morris County, NJ, to ensure that minor problems are detected early on. Our heat pump professionals have years of experience under their belt to offer quality services with the right equipment. Get in touch with us today for pre-season maintenance!

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