Should You Add a Heat Pump?
If you own a home or a business in Beaverton, OR, then you need it to be warm inside during the winter, and cool inside during the summer. Even though the climate is pretty temperate, there are still days of biting cold and insufferable heat. You want your home or business to be a refuge from the temperature outdoors.
An HVAC system that provides both heating and air conditioning has long been the most popular way to regulate the temperature of buildings in Beaverton. However, there is another option. A heat pump might be just what you need to do the trick.
What Is a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps can be used in place of air conditioners and furnaces. They use an updated technology that removes heat from one place and pumps it into another. In the summer, it takes heat from inside and pushes it outside, and it does the opposite in the winter. Even during the coldest days, there is still heat in the air to extract.
Heat pumps work similarly to HVAC systems in that they use refrigerants, compressors, and coils. However, they can perform both functions, while an air conditioner provides cooling, and a furnace provides the heat.
Heat pumps are getting more popular every year with Beaverton home and commercial property owners. Whether it’s for new builds, or to replace old HVAC systems, Wolfers’ has been providing the best heat pump services in Beaverton for many years.
Do Heat Pumps Save Money?
The short answer is “absolutely.” Your energy bills will drop by installing a heat pump, since they work more efficiently than traditional HVAC systems.
The price to install a heat pump can range from anywhere between $1500 to $10,000, with an average that falls between $4,000 and $7,000. What size of building you need to heat or cool will generally determine the size of the heat pump, and therefore the cost. Some heat pumps also are better manufactured than others and have better materials as well. This cost is well in line with the cost of a new HVAC system.
Some estimates show that a heat pump system can save you around 30% on your energy bills when compared to an air conditioner or furnace. This is because extracting and transferring heat uses much less power than generating heat or cooling the air.
If you take the example of a family spending $300 on their monthly energy costs, you can expect that 40% of that is for heating and cooling. That comes out to around $120 every month. If a heat pump provides a 30% savings, then that’s an extra $36 a month and $432 a year back into that family’s budget. All told, they can save $4,320 over a decade, and heat pumps last much longer than that. That would more than offset the cost of a $4,000 heat pump installation. At the same time, many jurisdictions offer tax incentives for energy-efficient options. Heat pumps also use up much less space than HVAC systems, which makes them even more attractive.
Types of Heat Pumps
There are three types of heat pumps:
- Air-to-air
- Gas-fired
- Geothermal
Air-source Heat Pumps
This is probably the most common type of heat pump for Beaverton home and business owners. It takes heat from the outside and moves it inside, and vice versa. Some estimates show that when heating the interior, it can use up to 50% less energy than a furnace. This type of heat pump also provides dehumidification benefits, which can further help with comfort.
Many homes in Beaverton do not have the ductwork needed for HVAC systems. Mini-Split heat pumps can solve this issue since they do not require ductwork to function. There are also reverse cycle chiller heat pumps, which use water to heat or cool spaces. These work with buildings that have radiant floor heating systems.
Gas-fired Heat Pumps
Gas-fired heat pumps are also known as absorption heat pumps. They use propane, natural gas, and even solar power for their energy instead of electricity. Natural gas is the most common fuel type, however. They also use ammonia instead of refrigerant to further cool the air.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
These types of heat pumps work a little differently. Instead of through the air, they transfer heat between structures, the ground, and water sources. They cost more to install, but they are easy to operate and maintain. Some of the benefits include:
- They reduce energy use by 30-60%
- They control humidity well
- They are robust and dependable
- They are suitable for a range of homes and buildings
- They can be used in regions with more extreme temperatures
Heat Pump Installation and Repair Contractor Beaverton, OR
installing a heat pump is not a DIY job. You should trust a professional to handle your installation, servicing, and repair needs for your heat pump. Call the best heat pump company in Beaverton.
Call Wolfer’s for your Beaverton heat pump installation and repair.
