In Oklahoma City, heat pumps can be a popular solution for heating and cooling your residence.
They look almost like an air conditioner. In fact, they run in the same way during warm weather. Because of a reversing valve, they can transfer humidity in the opposite direction as well as add warmth to your house when temperatures drop.
Not sure if you rely on a heat pump or an air conditioner? All you need to do is track down the model number on the outdoor unit and check it online. If it turns out you use a heat pump, or you’re considering buying one, learn more about how this HVAC unit keeps homes comfy.
How Heat Pumps Operate
Heat pumps depend on a refrigeration system much like an air conditioner. Most can operate like a ductless mini-split, as they can heat and cool. Heat pumps depend on an indoor evaporator coil and an outdoor condensing coil. Refrigerant is pumped through these coils to shift humidity. The outdoor unit also has a compressor and is enclosed by metal fins that function as a heat sink to help transfer heat properly.
Summertime Cooling
In cooling mode, the refrigerant is in the evaporator coil. Air from within the house is distributed over the coil, and the refrigerant extracts heat. Moisture in the air also condenses on the coil, dripping into the condensate pan below and moves away. The ensuing cool air circulates through the ductwork and back into your residence.
Meanwhile, the refrigerant flows a compressor on its way to the outdoor coil. This compresses the refrigerant, leading it to heat up even more. As it moves through the condensing coil, the outside fan and metal fins help to exhaust heat to the outdoors. The refrigerant moves back into your house, passing through an expansion valve that cools it significantly, prepping it to go through the process all over again.
When your heat pump is replaced and maintained appropriately, you’ll get efficient cooling comparable to an energy-efficient air conditioner.
Wintertime Heating
In heating mode, the heat exchange cycle occurs the opposite way. By flowing in the opposing direction, refrigerant removes heat from the outdoor air and vents it into your home to warm rooms.
Heat pumps working in heating mode are most efficient when the temperature is warmer than freezing outside. If it becomes too cold, a backup electric resistance heater kicks on to keep your residence comfy, but your heating costs increase as a result.
Heat pumps operate longer than furnaces as the air doesn’t get as heated. This helps sustain a more even indoor temperature. Additionally, because heat pumps move heat rather than making it from a fuel source, they can work well above 100% efficiency. You should expect 30–40% savings on your heating bills by using a heat pump.
Request Heat Pump Installation or Service Now
Heat pumps are environmentally friendly and money-saving. They are a substitute for the standard AC/furnace system and require the same amount of maintenance—one checkup in the spring and another in the fall.
If you’d like to install a heat pump, Gordon's Service Experts is the Expert to get in touch with. We’ll size and install your equipment to fit your heating and cooling needs. And then we’ll uphold our installation with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee* for a year. To find out more, contact us at 405-432-2197 today.