| Are Heat Pumps Efficient In Our Climate? |
A heat pump is an air conditioner that contains a valve that lets it
switch between "air conditioner" and "heater." When the valve is switched
one way, the heat pump acts like an air conditioner, and when it is switched
the other way it reverses the flow of Freon and acts like a heater.
Source: "How Stuff Works"
switch between "air conditioner" and "heater." When the valve is switched
one way, the heat pump acts like an air conditioner, and when it is switched
the other way it reverses the flow of Freon and acts like a heater.
Source: "How Stuff Works"
The general opinion is that "heat pumps can be very efficient but don't work as
well in colder climates like ours". While that statement has been mostly true in past
years, with the advancement of heat transfer technology, and the introduction of
new refrigerants to the industry, not only have heat pumps become more efficient in
colder climates but so much so that the pay off is well worth the investment.
In the last few years there have been confirmed reports of heat pumps
functioning with a balance point in the single digits while still maintaining a higher
CoP than conventional heat sources. The amount of time that we spend in single
digit temperatures is less than 16 days per year, and that means that you could
heat your home the majority of the winter without using a secondary source of heat!
well in colder climates like ours". While that statement has been mostly true in past
years, with the advancement of heat transfer technology, and the introduction of
new refrigerants to the industry, not only have heat pumps become more efficient in
colder climates but so much so that the pay off is well worth the investment.
In the last few years there have been confirmed reports of heat pumps
functioning with a balance point in the single digits while still maintaining a higher
CoP than conventional heat sources. The amount of time that we spend in single
digit temperatures is less than 16 days per year, and that means that you could
heat your home the majority of the winter without using a secondary source of heat!
| Heat Pump Lingo |
CoP - The Ratio of output heat to the supplied work.
Example for every 1 unit of electricity you get up to 3 units of heat with a heat pump.
With electric heat strips you have A CoP of 1, where 1 unit of electricity produces 1 unit of heat.
more...
HSPF - (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is a term used in the heating and cooling industry.
HSPF is specifically used to measure the efficiency of heat pumps.
more...
Balance Point - The point where a heat pump can no longer keep up with the heating load inside.
Example for every 1 unit of electricity you get up to 3 units of heat with a heat pump.
With electric heat strips you have A CoP of 1, where 1 unit of electricity produces 1 unit of heat.
more...
HSPF - (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is a term used in the heating and cooling industry.
HSPF is specifically used to measure the efficiency of heat pumps.
more...
Balance Point - The point where a heat pump can no longer keep up with the heating load inside.
| Ask More Questions |
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