Ac Heat Pump
Saturday, August 21st, 2010
Maybe it is time to replace that old air conditioner unit. You may face the decision of what to do, and how much to spend. Here are some things to consider about an ac heat pump.
Ac Heat Pump Photo by qmnonic via Flickr
How it works
You can use them for air conditioning or for warming the house. The principle is simple. In summer, it takes warm air from inside the house. The heat is extracted from that air and exhausted to the outdoors. The cooler air returns to the house. This is what keeps you cool.
In the winter time, the exact opposite happens. It takes the air from the outside. It removes the warmth from the air and sends it inside your home. The cooler air is exhausted to the outdoors.
Advantages
You may warm and cool your house, with the same unit. Do you live in a warm climate? You only need the one unit. It will keep your house cool in summer and warm in winter. When the outside temperature drops below forty degrees, it is harder for it to keep your house warm.
You can save a lot of money on utility bills. These models are very efficient. You may not need a humidifier. These units do not dry the air out as the warm your house. You may notice a quieter house. The compressor is outside of the interior. This can lower the noise level inside your home. Before buying any of the AC heat pump compare heat pump costs as the can vary quite a bit from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Disadvantages
The initial cost may be too high for some people to afford. This depends on the size and type of unit. Some will be much more expensive than others. In colder climates, they may not be the best way to keep your house warm in the winter. You will need a furnace of some type of system for backup. Also, the unit may be prone to frosting in the winter. You will need to have a special defrosting unit, installed. However, some models still have trouble with cold weather.
Advantages of a normal air conditioning unit
If you are replacing your old air conditioner, replacement may be simple. You can buy one that is similar to your current model. They are an inexpensive option. Installation will be simpler, so it will cost less to install.
Disadvantages
If you live in a warm climate, you will need a separate system to keep the house warm in winter. This means some type of electric or gas heat. This may be expensive to operate. You will also need to have some type of humidifier in the winter. In the summertime, a normal air conditioner will use more energy than a heat pump. You will have a higher electric bill to be concerned with.
Summary
You will find several advantages to installing an ac heat pump. They are more energy efficient than standard systems. They will keep your house warm in winter and cool in the summer. You will not need a humidifier, as they do not dry out the air. However, initial cost may be prohibitive for some people. They do not perform as well in colder climates.
