When you’re in the market for a new air conditioning system, the options can seem overwhelming at first. Air conditioners are sized differently, have different efficiency ratings, and come from a number of different brands. Choosing an air conditioner does not have to be tough when you seek the help of a professional air conditioning technician, as a technician can make sure you get a system of the proper size with a high efficiency rating that still fits into your budget. But one of the big choices you may want to make beforehand is whether you want an air conditioner or a heat pump.
What Is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is an air conditioner that runs in reverse for heating. We don’t have too much of a need for heating here in Florida, but every once in a while, we crave the comfort of a whole-home heating system. Heat pumps are perfect in warmer climates like ours, running more efficiently than many other conventional heating systems.
How It Works: Refrigeration
A heat pump is primarily an air conditioning system (regardless of the name), using the refrigeration process to move heat from one area to another. This is how any conventional AC works, using refrigerant as a heat transfer medium. Refrigerant changes from gas to liquid and back again, absorbing heat in gas form as it evaporates inside the home and releasing the heat outside of the home in liquid form. With a heat pump, some additional components allow it to absorb heat from the outside to bring indoors in the winter as well.
The Benefits of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps run more efficiently than other systems because less energy is needed to transfer heat energy than to produce heat, and they are highly efficient air conditioners as well. Furthermore, in warmer climates, it seems unnecessary to have a separate heater and AC when you can get the entire install done at once.
Call the AC experts at Advantage Air Conditioning for professional air conditioning and heat pump installation in Saint Lucie and Palm Beach County, FL.
