Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Will a Heat Pump Get the Job Done This Winter?

As energy costs continue to soar, and more and more homeowners look for more and more efficient ways in which to heat their homes, the heat pump has really grown in popularity. A question that many homeowners have regarding heat pumps, though, is simply whether or not these systems are really effective enough to bother investing in. While it is true that older heat pumps may have struggled in very cold weather, modern systems are more reliable than ever before. Consider the following information before deciding if you’d like to use a heat pump in Fort Collins, COIf so, just give Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning a call to schedule service.

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

A heat pump is able to function as both a heater and an air conditioner due to its ability to reverse its refrigerant cycle. During the summer, it acts just like an AC, drawing heat out of the air in your home and venting that air outside. In the winter, the refrigerant in the system absorbs heat from the air outdoors, even when it is very cold out. That refrigerant is then compressed, boosting the thermal energy, and this energy is used to heat air for distribution throughout your house.

While this operation results in great energy efficiency, as only a small amount of electricity is used in the heating of one’s home, heat pumps have been known to struggle in extremely cold temperatures. However, we do advise that you consider the use of such systems, and for two reasons. First of all, we simply don’t live in an area where we are dealing with subzero temperatures regularly. Secondly, modern heat pumps are no more reliable than ever before, able to produce dependable heating even when the temperature really plummets.

Are There Any Other Options?

While today’s heat pumps are a good match for our winter weather, we understand that many homeowners are always going to want a bit of extra security. That is why we also offer hybrid heating systems. Such systems feature both a furnace and a heat pump, with the furnace firing up only in the event that the heat pump is struggling to produce sufficient heating for your home. Contact us with any questions that you may have.

Twitter

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Search

Archive

Archive

Categories

Categories

Tags