When it comes to heating and cooling your home, you’re always looking for ways to save. We’re right there with you! That’s why we thought you’d be especially interested in the money-saving, energy-reducing, convenience-bringing benefits of buying and installing heat pumps.
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What is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is an efficient home heating and cooling system that transfers heat from one area and sends it to another. They come in a variety of models – including ductless – and work with your thermostat to control your home’s temperature.
Your refrigerator is an excellent example of a heat pump (although it only works one way). It takes the hot air from inside the fridge and sends it over compressor coils at the back, sending hot air out. Just think of all the times you’ve stood in front of the fridge and felt warmth on the floor or blowing against your ankles.
In the winter, an air source heat pump will extract heat from the air outside, and send it into your home to warm you up (yes, there really is heat in winter air).
What makes heat pumps so great is that they can reverse direction in the summer, taking the heat from your home and sending it outside to keep you cool. They’re actually more efficient than air conditioners – which saves money! It’s one of the reasons so many Canadians are making the switch.
Do Heat Pumps Work in Cold Climates?
Heat pumps do work in places like Ottawa, where it gets extra chilly, but even with cold climate models, there are limits to their heating power.
The colder the air gets, the less efficient your heat pump becomes, simply because there is not enough heat to extract from the air. But have no fear: that’s when your furnace will come to the rescue. You can turn your furnace on when the temperature dips, and still get the level of heat you want.
Isn’t It Cheaper to Stick with Gas?
Electricity is expensive. But when you do the math, a heat pump does save money over using gas. Anything that heats your home is measured using a metric called the coefficient of performance (COP). This compares how much heat is delivered for every unit of energy a system uses.
Heat pumps have a higher COP rating than gas, propane, and electric furnaces, which means you would see a significant savings, even with the difference in gas and electricity rates. Talk us about the heat pumps we have, and what model would be right for you.
5 Benefits of a Heat Pump
Installing a heat pump comes with a lot of benefits, many of which you’ll notice right away.
1. Increased Efficiency and Lower Costs
A heat pump is much more efficient than your standard heating systems. According to Natural Resources Canada, at 10°C, for every kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity used to power a heat pump, it will produce approximately 3.3 kWh of heat. This will fluctuate depending on the temperature, but it makes heat pumps a superior choice for people concerned with reducing their carbon emissions.
Heat pumps are also a great choice if you want to save money – and let’s face it, who doesn’t want to save money? They can reduce your electric heating costs by as much as 50%. That’s a lot of money to spend on other things!
You may use a gas furnace to heat your home. A heat pump will reduce how much you use it (since it works at all but the coldest temperatures), whittling those bills ways down. Considering approximately half of your electric and natural gas bills are just for heating in Ontario, that’s a lot of savings.
Bonus: More advanced air source heat pumps will not only heat your home, but will heat your water as well by using integrated systems. This could reduce your water heating bills by 25 – 50%. Ask us about the heat pumps we carry and their capabilities.
2. They’re Both a Heater and an Air Conditioner
Don’t let the name mislead you – heat pumps are most often used as air conditioners! In the summer, the process is simply reversed: warm air is expelled from your home. Not only will this keep you cool, but it works as a dehumidifier as well. This makes a heat pump an efficient alternative to an air conditioner.
3. With Regular Maintenance, You Barely Have to Think About Them
If you want a home heating and cooling system that is no-fuss, no-muss, then a heat pump is for you. They’re one of the most convenient systems out there. When you use our maintenance plans, there’s even less work for you to do (and you get a discount on our services).
4. They’re Much Safer Because There’s No Combustion Process
One of the biggest reasons furnaces need annual maintenance appointments is to make sure no carbon monoxide is leaking out. This invisible killer poses a real threat to you and your family if something goes wrong.
Heat pumps are electric, which means there’s no combustion process in your home, making them a safe alternative.
5. They Live a Long Time
Heat pumps last on average approximately 15 years. That’s a nice, long lifespan. But remember: the better care you give all of your home heating and cooling systems, the longer they will last.
Start Pumping Up Your Savings Today
Are you ready to start pumping out huge savings while pumping in warm air? Check out Mitsubishi heat pumps! Get a free, no obligation quote from Ottawa Home Services.