It is true that heat pumps excel in areas such as the Pacific Northwest, where winter temperatures are fairly mild. If you think that our more severe winter weather rules out the use of a heat pump and the reaping of its benefits, though, you might want to reconsider. Today’s heat pumps are more effective than ever, even in colder weather.
The key to getting the most out of your heat pump is to schedule your heat pump services in Alexandria, VA with trained, experienced professionals. We’ll make sure that your heat pump the right size for your home. We can also help you to decide if any backup heat source is necessary.
How Does a Heat Pump Work in the Winter?
A heat pump can work as an air conditioner in the summer, drawing heat out of the air in your home by evaporating the refrigerant in the evaporator coil. That heat is then vented outdoors when the refrigerant is condensed. A heat pump features a component called a reversing valve, which allows the system to reverse the flow of its refrigerant and the operation of its coils. In the winter, it can remove heat from the air outside as refrigerant is evaporated. That warm refrigerant is then compressed, and it is condensed within the house. That allows its thermal energy to be used in heating air for distribution throughout the house.
This is a very efficient way of heating a home, as no heat is actually generated via the combustion of fuel or via electric resistance. The only real concern with this type of heating is whether or not the heat pump will be able to transfer enough heat when air temperatures outside are extremely cold. But this was more of an issue with older systems. Newer models can generally handle very low temperatures. If they’re struggling, most models can also use electricity to generate heat until the heat pump is able to catch up with demand. So the heat pump will still get the job done, but not quite as efficiently as it would when operating purely in heat pump mode.
If you have any questions about heat pumps, their benefits, or their use in this area, give Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. a call today.