Heat Pumps – The Core of a Money-Saving Hybrid HVAC System
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are essential to every Minneapolis St. Paul Homeowner. Minnesota’s climate includes extreme variation of temperature and humidity during the year. Hot, humid summers and frigid winters mark the extremes, with cool spring and fall weather rounding out our climate. HVAC systems that keep the climate inside our homes even and comfortable are always a topic of interest for Minnesotans. Most Minnesota homes use a system that combines a furnace and air ducts, integrated with a central air conditioning system. It’s a good combination and works well to maintain the home comfort we want.
Our furnaces, though, are sized to handle temperatures as low as 20 degrees below zero or worse. What that means is that during the cool temperatures of spring and fall, the furnace system is oversized, and runs for only short periods. That’s wasteful of energy and provides heat that is less even during those seasons. In recent decades, a new technology has emerged to solve that problem and that offers money-saving benefits to Minnesota homeowners. Central air conditioners and ductless air conditioning systems that incorporate heat pump technology now provide heat to warm homes in cool weather and air conditioning during hot weather. These heat pump systems turn your HVAC system in to a hybrid system that uses the most economical source of energy to heat your home, depending on conditions.
Heat Pumps – Air Conditioning in Reverse
Your air conditioning system works by compressing and evaporating a special refrigerant. In the normal air conditioning cycle, heat is removed from your home and released outside by evaporating compressed coolant in coils inside your air duct system. The heat is transferred to coils located on the outside of your home and released into the atmosphere. By reversing that cycle, heat pumps pick up the warmth from the air outside, and release it inside, warming your home gently and evenly. An electronically controlled valve performs the switchover.
Heat pumps operate most efficiently when outside temperatures range between 30 and 65 degrees. That’s typical of fall and spring weather here in Minnesota, so heat pump technology is ideal for those seasons. When temperatures drop below 30 degrees, your furnace system automatically takes over. A heat pump works as a very efficient air conditioner, in hot weather, with SEER ratings up to 19, and is much more efficient than your furnace to heat your home in cool weather. It’s an ideal hybrid system that helps you make the most of your energy budget and keeps your home even more comfortable.
A Wide Range of Heat Pump Choices from Carrier & Goodman
At Residential Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer heat pump versions of central air conditioning systems from both Carrier and Goodman. Most of their model lines are available either as air conditioners or air conditioner & heat pump combinations. We also offer heat pump versions of LG Ductless split system air conditioners. Since most of the components in an air conditioning system are the same in the heat pump version, the price increase for heat pump systems is low, making adding heat pump capabilities an easy decision for most Minneapolis and St. Paul homeowners.
Residential Heating & Air Conditioning – Minnesota Top Source for Heat Pumps and Hybrid HVAC Systems
Ask your Residential Heating & Air Conditioning home comfort consultant about heat pump options during your free, no-obligation consultation. He’ll be happy to tell you about the benefits of hybrid heating with heat pumps and explain all heat pump options, costs, and benefits for you as part of your HVAC system. As always, we’ll provide all the information you need, without any high-pressure sales tactics. You always make your own decision, based on your needs and budget. Contact us soon about your heating and air conditioning system. Let us show you why our 20 years of top-quality sales and service makes us your best choice in heating and air conditioning.