One of the biggest advantages of a heat pump is that it works as both an air conditioner and a heater. If a heat pump is right for your home, you can have both your winter warmth and summer cooling taken care of with one installation.
Purl's Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heat Pumps’
Does a Heat Pump Need Maintenance in Spring as Well as Fall?
Monday, April 13th, 2015How Heat Pump Efficiency Ratings Are Determined
Friday, November 21st, 2014Homeowners are more concerned than ever today with energy efficiency in their homes. Manufacturers of heating and cooling systems have responded with the production of new high-efficiency units that produce superior levels of comfort along with reduced energy use. When you are considering a heat pump for your home heating in Fresno, you should examine the two ratings that will tell you how efficient a particular unit is: HSPF and SEER. For more information to help you select, size, and install a heat pump, contact our professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.
HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor)
HSPF is the efficiency rating for a heat pump when it is in heating mode. The number is a ratio of the amount of heat the unit generates (in BTUs, British Thermal Units) to the amount of electricity consumed (in watt-hours) as averaged over a season of heating. The higher the number, the more efficient the heat pump is at converting electricity into heating power. Many heat pumps have HSPF around 10 or 11; they are somewhat less efficient in heating mode than in cooling mode, but for the winter climates in Fresno they are usually sufficient for quality warmth.
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating)
SEER measures efficiency when a heat pump is in cooling mode; it is the same efficiency measurement used for standalone air conditioning systems. SEER is a ratio of the amount of heat the unit absorbs from the indoors (in BTUs) to the electricity in watt-hours, measured over a season. As with HSPF, the higher the number, the more efficient the unit. Heat pumps often have SEER of 14 or greater, and are effective for combating almost any level of outdoor heat—provided the system received professional installation.
The HSPF and SEER of a heat pump are only two factors that go into the selection of a heat pump for a house. A system can have high efficiency, yet still not work well for the home’s comfort needs. To make sure you receive quality cooling and heating from a heat pump, contact the skilled technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning to handle the installation job. Call us today to arrange your heat pump service in Fresno.
Is a Heat Pump Effective for Winter Heating?
Friday, October 24th, 2014When it comes to providing comfort throughout the year, a heat pump is an excellent installation option. Heat pumps work in a manner almost identical to air conditioners: they circulate refrigerant between an indoor and outdoor unit, moving heat from one location and releasing it in the other. When set in “cooling” mode, the heat pump absorbs heat from the indoors and releases it outdoors, the same as an air conditioner. In “heating” mode, a reversing valve in the system switches the direction of heat exchange, and the heat pump absorbs heat from the outdoors and then releases it indoors.
However, this description of the way a heat pump works often prompts the question from homeowners: “If I’m using a heat pump to warm my house during cold weather, how is the heat pump drawing heat from outside?” This causes some people concern about whether a heat pump is an effective option for home heating in Fresno, CA.
We understand where this concern comes from, but for many homes a heat pump is more than sufficient for delivering comfort through a Fresno winter. If you want advice from professionals who can tell you if installing a heat pump is a good option for your house, call at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.
Here is what to consider when thinking about heat pumps in heating mode: there is always some heat available in the outside air, regardless of how low the temperature is. It becomes more difficult for a heat pump to efficiently remove that heat from the outdoor air during extremely low temperatures; however, the temperature must usually fall below freezing before this problem with inefficient operation starts. The average low temperature in Fresno during the two coldest months of the year is 38°F, still above freezing. In homes with effective insulation, a heat pump can usually handle the winter weather without losing its efficient performance.
You should definitely consult with heating and cooling professionals before you settle on a heat pump for installation. (And you should never attempt to install a heat pump on your own, anyway.) Professionals will help you decide if a heat pump will provide the comfort level necessary, and then size and install it so that it works as it should.
Call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for heat pump services. We have helped with cooling and heating in Fresno, CA since 1952, and we’re on call 7 days a week for your convenience.
Steps to Installing a New Heat Pump
Monday, January 20th, 2014A heat pump combines the functions of a heater and an air conditioner into a single unit. It consists of two components – one indoor, one outdoor – that need to function together in order to effectively warm your home in the winter and cool it in the summer. Heat pumps make a lot of sense in towns with warm winters like ours. Here in Fresno, heating repair services can install them with efficiency and care. You should always count on a professional to install a new heat pump – it’s not a job for do-it-yourselfers – but it helps if you know what’s entailed in the process. Here are the steps to installing a new heat pump.
- The location is set and prepared. Heat pumps need an even surface to rest on, and the spot for the indoor unit needs to line up with the outdoor unit. You should also have at least 18 inches of clear space around the heat pump, which will prevent obstruction and ensure that the unit is functioning the way it should. If necessary, holes are drilled in the wall to let the line run between the two halves of the unit.
- The inside portion of the heat pump is set in place and mounted, with the lines run to the outside area if necessary. The lines need to run on a level plane, without rising or dropping between inside and outside.
- The outside portion of the unit is connected to the inside portion and the pressure of the lines is equalized and capped. This ensures that the refrigerant will move safely between the inside portion of the unit and the outside.
- The outside unit is mounted and secured in place, and the entire system is run to make sure it is operating correctly.
In Fresno, heating repair services that care about quality will always follow the steps to installing a new heat pump. That way, the customer gets a reliable system from the get-go and doesn’t need to worry about hassles or problems cropping up. The Fresno heating repair experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning can install a new heat pump for you, and are dedicated to your complete satisfaction with the process. Call us today to set up an appointment.