What Does A Heat Pump Look Like?
Heat pumps continue to transform how homeowners throughout the Finger Lakes are heating and cooling their homes. Their energy efficiency and versatile functionality have many homeowners who are ready to upgrade their old HVAC systems curious about how these systems will look in their homes.
If you’ve ever wondered, “What will a heat pump look like in my home?”, let’s explore the various types of heat pumps and how they will look after they are installed.
UNDERSTANDING HEAT PUMPS
The most common type of heat pump is an electric air source heat pump, though there are also geothermal versions available that work very well in the New York climate. Air source heat pumps extract heat from the air, transferring that heat via refrigerant piping. During winter, heat pumps extract heat from the cold outdoor air (yes, even sub-freezing air contains some heat) and circulate it in your home. In the summer, the process is reversed, extracting warmth from the indoor air and transferring it outside. This process allows for efficient cooling, and remarkably efficient heating, all in one system.
TYPES OF HEAT PUMPS AND WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE
A heat pump requires an outdoor air compressor similar to what you would see with a central air conditioner, as well as an indoor air handler that can operate independently or connect to central ductwork. Heat pumps can be used for single room solutions, or as a whole home heating and cooling system. Depending on your specific needs, there are several types of heat pumps that could suit your Finger Lakes home.
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps
Ductless heat pumps, also known as mini-splits, are units that don't require ductwork. They feature one or more indoor air handlers connected to an outdoor condenser. You have probably seen these rectangular wall-mounted indoor air handler units in a home or business.
You can use multiple ductless heat pumps to control different “comfort zones” throughout your home or supplement an existing HVAC system to target rooms where the current system struggles to maintain temperature.
Ducted Heat Pumps Heat Pumps
Heat pumps don't have to be ductless. If your home already utilizes a central forced air system, you can still benefit from swapping it for a heat pump. Just like with a ductless system, you'll have an outdoor condenser, but the indoor air handler will connect directly to your existing ductwork where it will distribute both hot and cold air, when you need it.
CHOOSING A HEAT PUMP FOR YOUR FINGER LAKES HOME
If you're unsure about which heat pump model fits your space, need guidance on sizing heat pumps for your heating and cooling load, or you're curious about how much a ductless heat pump would cost to install, our team is here to assist you. We're committed to helping you find a heat pump solution that is both aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient for your home. Several local incentive programs are also available to help offset the costs of upgrading your home to a heat pump system. Take advantage of these rebates and make the switch to a more energy-efficient HVAC system today.
