Ways For Energy Efficient Homes To Save Money With A Heat Pump

Customers looking at heating and cooling systems for energy efficient homes should definitely take a look at how to save money with a heat pump. Understanding the concept will make it easy to pick the right kind and size of system suitable for the home. It can be used just as effectively for industrial as well as commercial applications that have much bigger heating and cooling requirements. The basic concept behind it is that the pump powered by a small amount of external energy can move heat from one place to another. It can function as an air-conditioner, extracting heat from a heated room and releasing it outside. It can also do the reverse, acting as a heating system by collecting heat from the surroundings and piping it into a room to keep it warm. Heat pumps are far more versatile and affordable as compared to HVAC (standard heating, ventilating and air conditioning) units, since the same pump works both ways to heat and cool as required. A major benefit is that heat pumps don't actually consume energy for heating. They just capture heat from an external source and move it in. The massive reduction in consumption of the power required for heating results in huge savings because the utility payments are much lower. When a traditional geyser using electric coils is replaced with a heat pump, the electricity required for heating the same quantity of water drops down to one-third of the earlier power consumption. The net reduction in the utility bill can drop 20-35%, depending on the temperature outside and the family's water usage. At this point, it's important to decide the type of system and the capacity that would be ideal for use. A 150L geyser whose water supply is heated using a heat pump may help save R500/month, while a 200L geyser could easily save R600. A 4000L boiler for commercial or industrial applications can save up to R7700 each month. All these pumps can be categorized based on its source. For example, an electric heat pump whose heat source is the air outside is the most popular type. It functions in the same way as a refrigerator's heat exchanger element, with the difference being that pumps apply this concept in reverse and move heat from outside into the enclosed space. A fan is required to ensure proper functioning and maximum efficiency. Another type is a geothermal heat pump which moves heat obtained underground through water in pipes. It doesn't require a fan or defrosting system, and is therefore more eco-friendly. However, it's more expensive than the aforementioned air-source electric pumps, and has a more complicated installation process. Home owners can claim to have energy efficient homes even if they continue to maintain the old system. They can save money with a heat pump during most of the day, and only use the old heating system to handle peak loads as an auxiliary or backup system. It will reduce utility bills as desired, while still ensuring that there is never a shortage of hot water as and when desired.