Air-Source Options for Heat-Pump Systems

The hot days of summer are here in Orlando, and an air-source heat pump is your best bet for economic cooling. Even though the term “heat pump” doesn’t necessarily make you think of air conditioning, a heat pump is actually a system that will cool down your house in a hurry during the Florida heat, and warm it up quickly on those rare chilly nights. In places like Orlando, an air-source heat pump is the best option for dealing with both heat and cold. In colder climates, this system isn’t always a good choice; in Florida, however, it’s the perfect solution.

To cool your home, a heat pump moves the heat and humidity from within your home and transfers it outside, pumping it through your vents. In winter, it does the opposite: to warm up your house, a heat pump brings heat from the outside air and moves it inside.

When the heat pump is working to cool down your house, it does so by evaporating a refrigerant in its coil. As the liquid evaporates, it pulls the heat from the air in your house and pumps it outside. The heat pump has a compressor and coils of copper tubing, surrounded by fins that bring out the heat. When the heat pump is working to heat your home, it transfers whatever heat there is in the outside air and processes it, so when outdoor temperatures go below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, a panel of coils kicks in to move the heat inside.

Heat pumps aren’t a new concept, but they’ve become a lot more economical since they first entered the market. Today they are an extremely energy- and cost-efficient option for homeowners. If you’re looking to purchase a heat pump, make sure you look at the EnergyGuide label, which lists its separate heating and cooling efficiency ratings. The most efficient heat pumps have a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) of between 8 and 10. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rates the pump’s cooling efficiency. The higher the SEER, the more efficient and expensive your unit will be; however, those with higher SEER ratings eventually pay for themselves via much cheaper cooling costs over the long run. Look for a heat pump with a SEER of between 14 and 18. The Energy Star label is awarded to units with SEERs of 12 or higher and HSPFs of 7 or more.

Need some more information? Call Rinaldi’s Air Conditioning Service. We’ve been helping central Florida folks enjoy total indoor air comfort in their homes and businesses for the past 42 years!

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Rinaldi’s services Orlando, Florida and the surrounding areas. To get started, check out our website or see our current specials.