[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"/blog/post/how-heat-pumps-work":3,"/blog/post/how-heat-pumps-work-surround":130,"/blog/post/how-heat-pumps-work-related":141},{"id":4,"title":5,"authors":6,"badge":10,"body":12,"date":118,"description":119,"extension":120,"image":121,"meta":123,"navigation":124,"path":125,"seo":126,"stem":127,"tags":128,"__hash__":129},"posts/3.blog/post/how-heat-pumps-work.md","How Heat Pumps Work",[7],{"name":8,"to":9},"Madeline Hagaman","",{"label":11},"Air Conditioning & Heating",{"type":13,"value":14,"toc":109},"minimark",[15,19,22,25,30,33,36,39,42,46,51,54,57,60,63,66,69,72,75,79,82,85,88,91,94,97,100,103,106],[16,17,18],"p",{},"With the average home spending about $1,000 and nearly half of its total energy consumption on annual heating and cooling operations, according to ENERGY STAR, homeowners are eager for money-saving alternatives.",[16,20,21],{},"For people who live in relatively temperate climates, heat pumps are a promising option. This energy-efficient equipment handles all of your year-round heating and cooling needs by transferring heat indoors or outdoors, depending on the season.",[16,23,24],{},"Instead of generating heat by burning gas as a traditional furnace does, heat pumps simply move heat and can supply up to four times the amount of energy they consume, according to the US Department of Energy.",[26,27,29],"h2",{"id":28},"how-heat-pumps-keep-your-home-comfortable","How Heat Pumps Keep Your Home Comfortable",[16,31,32],{},"While the inner workings of a heat pump can easily baffle any homeowner, the general process is fairly straightforward.",[16,34,35],{},"Heat will not spontaneously move from an area with a low temperature to an area with a higher temperature—if it did, heating your home in the winter and cooling it in the summer would be much easier and less costly.",[16,37,38],{},"Heat pumps work against the natural flow of hot air by moving or “pumping” heat from cooler to warmer areas. During the summer, a heat pump works just like a conventional A/C unit, drawing heat from your home to the outside and replacing it with air that has been cooled by refrigerant.",[16,40,41],{},"During the winter, the reversing valve redirects the flow of refrigerant—and the heat, as a result. Now, the heat pump removes thermal energy from the outside air or the ground, providing warm air to your home while drawing cool air back outside.",[26,43,45],{"id":44},"types-of-heat-pumps","Types of Heat Pumps",[47,48,50],"h3",{"id":49},"air-source-heat-pumps","Air-Source Heat Pumps",[16,52,53],{},"The US Department of Energy estimates that an air-source heat pump can provide one-and-a-half to three times the amount of energy that it consumes.",[16,55,56],{},"For optimal performance, select a heat pump with a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) of eight or higher and a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of fourteen or higher.",[16,58,59],{},"Because air-source heat pumps distribute air to your home through a duct system, make sure that your ducts are properly sealed and insulated to avoid wasting energy.",[16,61,62],{},"Though highly energy efficient, standard air-source heat pumps are not practical everywhere.",[16,64,65],{},"Climates that frequently experience below-freezing temperatures make poor environments for heat pumps.",[16,67,68],{},"An accumulation of ice on the coils or Freon lines will restrict airflow and prevent the system from heating and cooling your home efficiently.",[16,70,71],{},"Even worse, prolonged freezes can damage the compressor, resulting in costly repairs.",[16,73,74],{},"While air-source heat pumps designed for extreme cold have appeared on the market in recent years, they have not yet achieved widespread use.",[47,76,78],{"id":77},"geothermal-ground-source-or-water-source-heat-pumps-ghps","Geothermal (Ground-Source or Water-Source) Heat Pumps (GHPs)",[16,80,81],{},"Rather than pulling energy from the air, GHPs pull heat from either the ground or a nearby water source.",[16,83,84],{},"GHPs cost more to install than air-source heat pumps, but they can function in colder climates, require less maintenance, have a longer life expectancy, and heat and cool more efficiently.",[16,86,87],{},"While temperatures can fluctuate dramatically in the open air, belowground temperatures remain relatively constant.",[16,89,90],{},"Underneath the surface, temperatures will stay cooler than the stifling summer air and warmer than the frigid winter chill.",[16,92,93],{},"As a result, your heat pump will not have to work as hard to keep your home comfortable. According to the US Department of Energy, the additional cost of installing a GHP can be recovered with energy savings in five to ten years.",[16,95,96],{},"To install a GHP, a system of pipes called a heat exchanger gets buried in a closed-loop configuration, which comes in two main varieties: horizontal and verticle.",[16,98,99],{},"Horizontal closed-loop systems require less depth, making them more cost effective to install than vertical systems, but they should only be placed where ample land is available.",[16,101,102],{},"Vertical closed-loop systems can be installed where space is limited. A closed-loop system can also be placed in a nearby water source as long as it meets requirements for depth, volume, and quality.",[16,104,105],{},"Though heat pumps of any variety require up-front costs that can exceed traditional A/C and heating units, these systems can recover expenses by providing energy savings year after year.",[16,107,108],{},"As with any HVAC system, always work with a quality professional to ensure that your unit gets installed correctly and maintained properly throughout its lifetime.",{"title":9,"searchDepth":110,"depth":110,"links":111},2,[112,113],{"id":28,"depth":110,"text":29},{"id":44,"depth":110,"text":45,"children":114},[115,117],{"id":49,"depth":116,"text":50},3,{"id":77,"depth":116,"text":78},"2013-10-18T00:00:00.000Z","Discover how heat pumps efficiently heat and cool your home, saving energy and money while adapting to various climates.","md",{"src":122},"https://bprblogassets.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/15082708/How-Heat-Pumps-Work.jpg",{},true,"/blog/post/how-heat-pumps-work",{"title":5,"description":119},"3.blog/post/how-heat-pumps-work",null,"J0ldtOMNoHlaKX0X76unggmQ77U85gcAxTv3bCyUPeA",[131,136],{"title":132,"path":133,"stem":134,"description":135,"children":-1},"How Does a Drain Become Blocked?","/blog/post/how-does-a-drain-become-blocked","3.blog/post/how-does-a-drain-become-blocked","Learn common causes of drain blockages and explore simple, effective solutions to keep your plumbing flowing smoothly.",{"title":137,"path":138,"stem":139,"description":140,"children":-1},"How High Humidity Affects Your Air Conditioning System","/blog/post/how-high-humidity-affects-your-air-conditioning-system","3.blog/post/how-high-humidity-affects-your-air-conditioning-system","Discover how high humidity impacts your air conditioning system and learn effective ways to maintain optimal indoor comfort.",[142,150,158],{"path":143,"title":144,"description":145,"image":146,"badge":148,"date":149},"/blog/post/space-heater-basics","How to Use a Space Heater Safely: Space Heater Basics","Stay warm safely with space heaters! Learn essential tips for choosing and using them without hazards or risks.",{"src":147},"https://bprblogassets.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/15081827/small-space-heater-in-office.jpg",{"label":11},"2023-10-27T00:00:00.000Z",{"path":151,"title":152,"description":153,"image":154,"badge":156,"date":157},"/blog/post/my-heater-wont-turn-on-tips-and-advice-from-the-pros","‘What to Do When Your Heater Won’’t Turn On’","Heater won’t turn on? Learn furnace troubleshooting tips from the pros, and then call a Best Pick HVAC expert in your area for maintenance help!",{"src":155},"https://bprblogassets.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/10084147/shutterstock_295373564.jpg",{"label":11},"2023-08-11T00:00:00.000Z",{"path":159,"title":160,"description":161,"image":162,"badge":164,"date":165},"/blog/post/how-much-does-hvac-service-cost","How Much Does HVAC Service Cost?","Discover the factors influencing HVAC service costs and get insights on average pricing for maintenance, repairs, and more.",{"src":163},"https://bprblogassets.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/23133925/service-hvac-costs.jpg",{"label":11},"2023-06-02T00:00:00.000Z"]