Gas Heater Services or Heat pumps are becoming more common in homes across the country. They provide heating and cooling through the same device. How does this affect maintenance?
Heating pumps are designed to operate efficiently at low temperatures. The compressor runs continuously during operation, even when the temperature outside is below freezing. This means they don’t require much maintenance.
However, heat pump systems aren’t perfect. There are some things homeowners should know before calling for repair or replacement services.
How Heat Pumps Work: Heating & Cooling with Air Conditioning
The basic design of any heat pump is very simple. It consists of an electric motor that turns a fan inside the unit. When the fan is turned on, it pulls air into the indoor coil. The coil contains a refrigerant that absorbs energy from the outdoor coil.
Then, it transfers this energy as heat to the home. In addition to being used for heating, a heat pump can also be used to cool your home. Instead of pulling cold air into the house, the fan blows warm air out.
When you turn on your heat pump, the fan begins running immediately. If it doesn’t start right away, check all electrical connections and make sure they’re tight. Also, check the battery charge on the thermostat. Many heat pumps have a self-diagnostic feature that alerts users if there’s something wrong with the unit.
What Types Of Heat Pumps Are Available?
There are three main types of heat pumps available today. Two use electricity as their primary power source (electric heat pumps), while one uses natural gas (propane)
Electric heat pumps generally cost less than propane heat pumps because they consume less energy.
Other Features Heat Pumps Have
Most modern heat pumps come equipped with a variable-speed blower. Variable speed allows the user to control how often the compressor operates. As mentioned earlier, many heat pumps will alert the homeowner if there’s a problem. Some models have a diagnostic feature that tells the owner what part needs replacing.
Another function heat pumps offer is dehumidification. Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air by using a different method than heating devices. Most heat pumps include this option, but not all units can dehumidify effectively. Check with the manufacturer to see if yours has this capability.
Some heat pumps let the homeowner change the direction of airflow. In other words, they allow you to switch between heating and cooling modes. While this might seem like a handy feature to have, they actually are more trouble than they’re worth.
A heat pump can only provide comfort in one way. Either the system heats or cools your building. You can’t have both functions going at once.
A final type of heat pump offered today allows you to add an optional “refrigeration” cycle. This is similar to a standard refrigerator. Refrigerators use an evaporator coil to create ice.
They then transfer this ice back to the freezer compartment where it melts. These heat pumps perform essentially the same function.
How To Tell Whether Your Heater Or Air Conditioner Is Broken?
The heat pump works by circulating chilled air inside your home. The process is quite simple: Once the system senses that the temperature outside has risen above a certain level, it flips a magnetic switch. This activates the compressor in the unit.
The compressor spins rapidly, creating friction which generates heat. This heat warms the refrigerant, causing it to expand slightly. The pressure created by this expansion forces the refrigerant out of the compressor and into your home.
This cooled, pressurized refrigerant enters your home through your ductwork. It flows around your HVAC system, chilling it along the way. After passing through the coil in the furnace or air handler, it goes through another set of coils before coming out of the return vent.
Now that the refrigerant has been circulated throughout your entire house, it begins its journey back to the compressor. When the refrigerant gets back to the compressor, it is now saturated with heat. Before entering the compressor, however, the refrigerant passes through the condenser coils.
As the refrigerant passes through these coils, it absorbs heat from the air surrounding them. Because the air is warmer near the ground, the refrigerant becomes hotter as it travels farther away from the earth. At this point, the refrigerant is ready for compression again. Once the compressor has finished compressing the refrigerant, it injects it directly into the suction line.
When the compressor turns on, it will suck in the low-pressure refrigerant and compress it. As the refrigerant leaves the compressor, it creates a large amount of heat.
Once the refrigerant reaches the evaporator coil, it begins to turn into a vapour. If your heat pump is working properly, when the refrigerant hits the evaporator coil, the liquid evaporates into a thin film of vapour. This evaporated refrigerant travels down the tubing connected to the evaporator coil.
As the refrigerants move across the coils, it cools down and the latent heat of evaporation causes them to change back into a liquid. The liquid then returns to the compressor via the suction line.
It’s important to note that if this cycle is interrupted, the refrigerant won’t be able to complete its job. So if you notice any of the following symptoms, you’ll need to contact a professional immediately:
If you’re seeing one of these signs, your heat pump needs repair. We’ll explain more about each of these issues in a moment. But first, let’s take a look at how the whole process happens in reverse.
Types Of Heat Pump Systems
Heat pumps are used in many different types of systems. For example, some models are designed specifically for cooling only. Others can both deliver hot water and cool air. And some units are used exclusively for heating.
In addition to the type of heat pump you choose, there are several other factors to consider. These include installation location, heating/cooling capacity, cost, and energy efficiency rating.
Heat Pumps Are Used In Many Different Types Of Systems
A heat pump is an electric or natural gas device that uses a fan or centrifugal force to move air across a surface (like a radiator). Air drawn across the surface transfers heat from the surfaces to the air, which in turn removes the heat from the room. A heat exchanger also acts like a radiator; it takes in warm air and releases cold air into space. The heated or cooled air circulates around the home.
A heat pump works with either electricity or natural gas. Electricity heat pumps use fans to transfer heat between the outdoor unit and the interior. Natural gas heat pumps use a centrifugal force to circulate air. Both heating pumps are similar in function but differ in appearance depending on their size, style, and design.
Installation Location Is Another Important Consideration
The installation of a new heat pump should begin in the most appropriate spot inside your home. Most experts agree that the best location for a heat pump is at the outside wall facing south. Because of this orientation, the sun heats up the area well during the summer months. It also helps keep the house cooler during winter because the sun raises the temperature of the house.
The problem with placing your heat pump elsewhere is that it can be difficult to control the temperature throughout the entire home. When temperatures outside drop below freezing, all of your indoor appliances will shut off. They aren’t going to start again until they reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
During the spring and fall, the temperature of the ground drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, your heat pump may not operate as efficiently.
Another reason why the ideal location is on the southeastern side of your home. During the summer, the sun shines directly over the southeast portion of your property. This exposes the hottest part of the house to increased sunlight. Your HVAC system can regulate the temperature better within the southern walls.
If you live in a place where the weather is moderate year-round, then installing your heat pump in the centre of the house might be the best option. You won’t have the same problems controlling the temperature when it gets too hot or too cold.
Energy Efficiency Rating that Important Factor To Consider
When making decisions about purchasing a new heat pump, it’s important to note its energy-saving features. The highest-rated model will save the most money by consuming less power. With this type of equipment, you’ll pay less every month, even though the initial price may seem higher.
As you shop for a heat pump, you need to know how efficient each one is. This organization has rated products based on three criteria: energy consumption, efficiency level, and quality construction.
For example, two heat pumps could look identical except for their ratings. One may consume twice the power as another. But, the first unit may last longer before needing repair. That means you could spend less money replacing parts earlier.
This website offers information on several models. Click on the links listed below to learn more about these units.