Understanding the different kinds of heat pumps
Posted on octobre 15, 2013 by Frank
Brace yourselves: winter is coming. This famous phrase from Game of Thrones could also be used to describe the coming situation in Quebec province! In the next months, temperatures will sharply decrease and should reach close to -30 Celsius! Heat pump systems’ manufacturers will make huge profits and will have to do extra time in order to provide all homes in Montreal with proper heating solutions.
There are many different kinds of heat pumps. If you need to buy a new heating system, there’s a chance you might get completely confused with what is on the market right now. Take the next few minutes to read the following article: it will explain to you the differences between them.
How heat pumps work
These products are said to be efficient alternatives to furnaces and air conditioning system when climate conditions are “moderate”. By using electricity, the heat pump is able to move heat from a cool space (usually outside) in your home to a warmer area. Even if it’s -30 outside, the system will suck up hot air and shoot it inside your home. It is also able to work the opposite way: it can take hot air from inside your home and bring it outside, allowing to cool down your interior.
Different kind of heat pumps
Air-source heat pumps: This is the most common type of systems; it works exactly like what we said earlier. It is able to provide you with energy savings of 30% to 40%, while also allowing dehumidifying your space. There is, though, an issue: it loses efficiency when the weather goes down too much, making it harder to keep the house warm with extreme climatic conditions. There are more advances air-source heat pumps that can solve this problem, but they are more expensive to install.
Mini-split heat pumps: Some homes do not have ducts, which makes it impossible to use the standard model. It serves mostly as an add-on for other heating systems, for example hydronic heaters and radiant panels. For each room that needs to be heated, there is an indoor unit as well as an outdoor unit. Conduits will be housing the power cable, refrigerant tubing and all the other elements that serve to drain the hot air from outside.
Reverse cycle chiller: This is a special kind of air-source heat pump. It is used for radiant floor heating: it makes the water that circulates through the tubes warmer, diffusing the warmth through the whole room and making your feet a lot more comfortable!
Geothermal heat pumps: Some systems can harness the heat that is stocked in the ground or in a water source in order to save on energy costs. The installation of a geothermal heat pump is very expensive but it the energy bill is sharply reduced by its installation.
The ENERGY STAR certification
If you decide to install a new heating system, you might want to go for ENERGY STAR certified products. Even though they might cost a bit more upfront, they are sure to be a lot more efficient. In some countries, it is even possible to get rebates from the Government by choosing these alternatives!