Heat Pumps: What You Need To Know

Jan 4
07:21

2012

Ace Abbey

Ace Abbey

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Heat pumps are a popular alternative method of home heating. Of course, there is a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about the way these devices work. Here is what you need to know.

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Heat pumps are a popular alternative method of home heating. They are growing in popularity because they are so much cheaper than heating the home with more traditional methods. Naturally,Heat Pumps: What You Need To Know Articles anyone who has ever balked at an expensive mid-winter electric bill will be interested in saving some money. Just turning off the heat isn't a solution. Changing the way you warm the house could very well be. Of course, there is a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about the way these devices work. Here is what you need to know.

Effectiveness

You'll hear numerous detractors of heat pumps tell you that they can't get the job done in cold weather. This is based partially in fact. The earliest systems were not energy efficient and couldn't keep up with colder outdoor temperatures. Things have changed a great deal since that time, however, even if some of the same myths are circulating. Current systems are quite capable of heating the home even in the face of sub-freezing outdoor temperatures without any apparent loss of quality.

Expense

When it comes to running your home's heating, heat pumps are much more cost efficient than traditional systems or space heaters. They transfer heated energy from one place to another, unlike a space heater which converts directly from electricity. The former is a much more energy efficiency method of heating the home, although it may not seem so at first. You're fighting against much less resistance by transferring the existing heat energy, which can save a lot of money in the long run.

Initial Costs

Putting in any heating system is expensive. You can buy a cheap space heater and not be out too much money, but if you want a central unit, you're going to shell out some serious cash. Heat pumps are no different in this respect, but the savings come in month after month of reduced energy bills. Anyone who is comparing initial costs directly is missing a large part of the point.

If you're interested in heat pumps, talk to a licensed contractor and dealer in your area and see what advantages they have over traditional heating solutions. Once you get a look at some real world examples in terms of efficiency and savings, it might be the only convincing you need to show you a new way of doing things. At the very least, you'll know what options are out there should you wish to convert at any time in the future.