When it comes to the question of having any kind of heating system installed in your house, the initial answer is usually, “Maybe.” Regardless of the advantages a particular type of heater can offer you during a Colorado winter, there is no “one size fits all” solution. Each home has unique requirements for heating and cooling it. Local weather, humidity, power sources, and even elevation can affect how well an HVAC system works for a home.
With that caveat out of the way, let’s look at the heat pump, one of the most popular options for solving indoor comfort needs. For more information on our Loveland, CO heat pump services, contact the professionals at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.
A heat pump works as an air conditioner that can reverse the direction of heat exchange so it acts as a heater when necessary. A standard AC uses refrigerant to move heat from your home and release it outside. A heat pump uses a reversing valve and second compressor to change over and move heat from outside into your home. Unlike furnaces and boilers, which use up large amounts of fuel to run—whether electricity, natural gas, or another source—heat pumps only need a small amount of electricity to run, which makes them highly efficient.
There are also geothermal heat pump systems available, which draw heat right from the ground (or place it into the ground).
However, heat pumps have the drawback that they are not as efficient at heating as they are at cooling. They may work well for you during a hot summer, but in extreme cold temperatures in homes with poor insulation, a heat pump can struggle to get you the best comfort. Geothermal systems are also unsuitable for many homes because of the extensive installation requirements.
The best way to answer the question, “Should I get a heat pump in my home?” with anything stronger than, “Maybe,” is to have professionals do a heat load calculation to determine your house’s specific needs. This complex calculation takes into account numerous factors in your home to come up with a focused idea on what kind of heater will do the best job. Get an experienced HVAC company to do a heat load calculation, and listen to their advice on whether a heat pump is the right choice for your home.
Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning offers heat pump and geothermal heat pump installation, as well as repairs and maintenance. Our decades of experience can help you in Loveland, CO when a heat pump starts looking like a good option.