What Is a Heat Pump? How Does It Work? What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Heat Pump?
There’s a trade-off to living in the Great White North…those cool summer evenings come at the cost of some fairly cold days in January and February. With the right heating system in your home, you can stay toasty in even the most bitter cold. But natural gas prices have been trending up and the forecast is for further increases. Maybe you’ve given some consideration to replacing your gas furnace with a heat pump, but you don’t know a lot about the technology. What is a heat pump and how does it work? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a heat pump? Can it keep you warm in northern climates in the winter?
What Is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is a mechanical device, typically operating on electricity, that transfers thermal energy from one area to another. In colder weather, a heat pump is commonly used to transfer heat from a cold outdoor area into an indoor area. In the summer, conversely, a heat pump can be used to transfer heat out of an indoor area, reducing the indoor temperature.
How Does a Heat Pump Work?
A heat pump contains a gaseous refrigerant which, when compressed, rises in temperature. The warmed gas is then directed to a heat exchanger in the indoor area, which warms up the indoor space.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Heat Pump?
There are many tangible benefits to a heat pump:
- Because the heat pump simply moves existing heat, rather than creating it, it’s a much more cost-effective way to keep your home warm
- The same unit can be used to heat your home in the winter and cool your home in the summer
- Heat pumps use electricity, but they don’t directly burn fossil fuels, so they are cleaner and generally leave a smaller carbon footprint
- As a general rule, heat pumps have fewer moving parts and are less susceptible to breaking down
- Many heat pumps also allow you to manage humidity levels
Heat pumps are not, however, without drawbacks:
- Because the technology is more complicated, it typically costs more upfront to install a heat pump
- Though advances in technology are making them more effective in colder climates, they still tend to function more efficiently in slightly warmer areas
- Because they operate on electricity, they won’t work during a power outage
- Some heat pumps can generate a lot of noise
