I first heard about heat pumps when my husband and I decided to relocate further south.
We’d always lived in the far north and were very reliant on a powerful heating system.
We never bothered with central air conditioning. Once we retired, we were anxious to get away from the sub-zero temperatures. Our goal was to move far enough south to never worry about snow again. While touring different houses for sale, the real estate agent was always excited if the property featured a heat pump. My husband and I had no idea why we’d want a heat pump. I eventually researched to figure out exactly what a heat pump is and why it might be beneficial. I learned that the system combines both heating and cooling capability into a single unit. Having just one system frees up some space and makes maintenance easier. During the summer, the heat pump operates exactly like a conventional air conditioner. It easily handles outdoor temperatures in the nineties or even the triple digits and effectively combats excess humidity. The main advantage of a heat pump is that it can reverse the flow of refrigerant. Rather than burn fossil fuels to generate heat, the system utilizes ambient heat it finds in the outdoor air. It compresses the heat to a higher temperature and delivers it indoors by way of refrigerant and a duct system. The process is wonderfully clean, safe and environmentally responsible. Modern heat pumps feature variable-speed technology that optimizes energy efficiency and keeps utility bills reasonable. Our new house is outfitted with a heat pump, and we are super happy with our year round comfort.