How Heat Pump Systems Work

by Kevin Smith Author

If you're considering changing the heating system in your home, you've probably heard of both furnaces and heat pumps. Many people are familiar with furnaces, but know little about heat pumps. A heating company in Vinings will be able to install either type of system, but it's important to know how these systems work and what their advantages are so you can decide if it's a good option for your home. Here's what you need to know about heat pumps.

Heating or Cooling

The main difference between a heat pump and furnace is that a furnace only heats the home while a heat pump can be used for both cooling and heating. It uses outside air but transports warm air to either bring it into the home or remove it from the home during the summer. This heat is pulled either from the air or the ground. Heat pumps and furnaces or air conditioners work in a very similiar manner.

Types of Pumps

There are two basic types of heat pumps used in homes. The first, air-source heat pumps use an outdoor fan to bring air into the air handler over refrigerant-filled coils. The refrigerant absorbs the heat in the air and expands into vapor. The vapor then goes into a compressor where the pressure and temperature of the gas is increased and the vapor goes to the indoor coils, where the heat is distributed through the ducts of the home. When the refrigerant cools it turns back to a liquid and then goes back outside to pick up more heat. Ground-source pumps work in a similar way but absorb heat from the ground or a body of water. The heat is often absorbed through pipes underground filled with water or refrigerant. There's another type of heat pump used for homes without air ducts called a mini-split heat pump when there's limited space for retrofitting.

Benefits of Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are known for using less energy than typical furnaces, especially in areas that rarely fall near or below freezing. This is especially beneficial for those using electricity to heat their homes. Heat pumps also tend to distribute heat more evenly throughout the home than furnaces, so you'll rarely experience cold spots. Heat pumps aren't the best choice for every home, so be sure to contact a heating company in Vinings to determine if this is the best option for you.