Did you know that another name for a geothermal heating and cooling system, is a “ground-sourced” heat pump? It makes sense if you think about it! The heat pump sources its heat from underground instead of from the air, and that’s what makes it so effective at keeping your home comfortable!
However, we do need to talk about a point of confusion that we’ve seen homeowner run into. Geothermal heat pumps are not the same thing as air-sourced heat pumps. These systems draw their heat from very different places, they have completely different efficiency ratings, and they’re going to be better for different homes.
Let’s take today to discuss these two types of heat pumps in Winter Park, FL, and figure out which one might be right for you. Don’t worry, if you have any additional questions, or if you’re concerned about heat pump technology, you can always call our team!
How a Heat Pump Works
Heat pumps work by circulating a line of refrigerant from an outdoor coil to an indoor coil. These coils are pressurized and have the ability to add pressure to the refrigerant coming in. This allows the infamous condensation and evaporation to take place that we’re so used to talking about.
As the refrigerant evaporates inside of your home, it draws heat in and cools the space around it. Then, when it’s condensed outdoors, it sends the heat outside where it dissipates into the atmosphere.
A heat pump does exactly what its name implies–it pumps heat from one place to another. And, perhaps the best selling point of a heat pump is the fact that it can run in reverse and draw heat in from the atmosphere to heat your home when things are chilly.
Why Heat Pumps Are a Big Deal
Heat pumps are becoming a big deal on the news, in technology reports, and even in household conversations, because of where they stand in our energy and comfort market. Because of the changing climate and the price of electricity and other fuel sources, it’s becoming more important that we invest heavily into HVAC systems that run on electricity. Not only that, but our electric heating and cooling systems need to be efficient.
Heat pumps stand at the forefront of this conversation because they both work via electricity and are extremely energy efficient. After all, heat pumps only move heat, they don’t create new heat, so they use much less energy in total than a furnace or a boiler.
Ground Source or Air Sourced?
Now comes the tricky part. Should you invest in a ground-sourced or air-sourced heat pump? Well, it depends on your initial purchasing budget and the type of comfort you’re looking for. Ground sourced heat pumps, also known as geothermal HVAC systems, are more expensive to invest in but the ground lines are designed to last 50+ years. These units are long-lasting and built to cut emissions dramatically, but they cost more.
Air-sourced heat pumps will cost a lot less to invest in, and they’ll still last about 10-15 years in age before they need to be replaced. They can even be ductless and run without the use of air ducts.
If either one of those systems sounds good, then call Facemyer Air Conditioning and Heating to invest in one. Exceeding Your Expectations With Comfort!