Should You Add a Heat Pump?
During the coldest days of winter, and the hottest days of summer in Salem, OR, you need a heating and cooling system that will keep the air comfortable no matter what. Even though the temperature in the area is often temperature, there are still periods of extreme temperatures that can make living and working difficult and will keep customers away. Most buildings in Salem have Heating, Air Conditioning systems with an air conditioner and a furnace. There is another option, however: heat pumps.
What Is a Heat Pump?
A single heat pump can replace both an air conditioner and a furnace in homes and businesses. They work by moving hot air from the exterior to the interior, and vice versa. While it still uses refrigerant and heater elements, it does not need to use as much to make a building comfortable. With a heat pump, you could no longer need separate appliances to do the job. You would only need one.
Salem commercial property owners and homeowners are choosing heat pumps in more new builds and replacements all the time. If you are thinking of a heat pump for your heating and cooling solutions, then call Wolfer’s right away for the best heat pump contractor in Salem.
Do Heat Pumps Save Money?
Heat pumps will save you money because they use energy more efficiently than air conditioners, furnaces, and space heaters. On average, they cost between $4,000 and $7,000, with some high-end prices reaching $10,000, and economy products at $1,500. If you want a better product, it will cost more. It can also cost more if you need to heat and cool a larger building compared to others. Heating, Air Conditioning systems cost a similar amount to install, so a heat pump will definitely save you money.
Most estimates show that they can provide a 30% break on your energy bills. They can do this because the electricity they use to extract heat and pump it is less energy than what Heating, Air Conditioning systems use. Not only that, but a heat pump will generate 3 kilowatts of heat for every kilowatt of power it uses up.
If you take a standard monthly energy cost of $400 for a household, with the heating and cooling making up 40% of that, then it comes to a $36 saving each month. This means that after 10 years it will be $4320, at which point the average heat pump will have paid for itself. It will still have many years to go on top of that. Plus, many jurisdictions offer tax incentives to install heat pumps as a more energy-efficient option.
While not a cost-saving benefit, a heat pump takes up substantially less space than an air conditioner and furnace, which just adds to their appeal.
Types of Heat Pumps
There are three types of heat pumps:
- Air-to-air
- Gas-fired
- Geothermal
Air-source Heat Pumps
The most common type of heat pump in Salem homes and businesses is the air-to-air heat pump. It is the one that moves heat from the exterior to the interior in the winter, and the opposite in the summer. When compared to a furnace, the heating function uses about half as much electricity. It also provides dehumidification, which will elevate the comfort benefits. Even in the coldest climates, air-to-air heat pumps will still be able to provide warmth to buildings.
A mini-split heat pump is another type of air-to-air product. It provides heating and cooling even when there is no ductwork to distribute the air. Then, there is the reverse cycle chiller heat pump. It takes warm air and transfers or extracts heat from water, which can then heat or cool a space. These heat pumps are most commonly used with radiant floor heating systems.
Gas-fired Heat Pumps
Gas-fired, or absorption, heat pumps are fueled by sources such as propane, natural gas, solar-heated water, or geothermal-heated water instead of by electricity. They are often called gas-fired heat pumps because natural gas is the most used fuel source.
Gas-fired heat pumps utilize ammonia rather than refrigerant.
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps do not extract heat from the air. They in face extract heat from other sources, such as the ground, nearby structures, and water sources. They cost more to install but are superior in some ways to regular heat pumps. 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 Salem, OR
Heat pumps must be professionally installed, serviced, and repaired. Salem residents and commercial property owners need the best heat pump company Salem has.
Call Wolfer’s for your Salem heat pump installation and repair.
