Southern Ontario summers get extremely hot and humid. If you don’t already have one, you may want to consider installing a cooling system in your home. Although air conditioners are the most common way to cool a residence, you can also invest in a heat pump.
A machine that pumps heat to cool your home may seem counterintuitive. However, the technology makes a lot of sense and offers several advantages over traditional air conditioners. Here are six reasons to choose a heat pump over an air conditioner.
1. Heat pumps use energy efficiently
Heat pumps are much more energy efficient than air conditioners. In fact, they put out more cool air by volume than the amount of energy it takes to run them. Heat pumps also dehumidify better than standard central air conditioners, resulting in less energy usage.
Although both air conditioners and heat pumps effectively eliminate warm air from inside your home, the hotter it gets outside, the harder your air conditioning system has to work to keep your home cool. In contrast, heat pumps have the same cooling efficiency regardless of the outdoor temperature.
Heat pumps are more expensive to buy and install but can save you money in the long run. In fact, a heat pump can save the average homeowner between $900 and $1,300 a year on their utility bills.
2. Heat pumps are eco-friendly.
Unlike conventional furnaces that use fossil fuels like natural gas, oil or propane, heat pumps run exclusively on electricity, a sustainable energy source that doesn’t produce emissions. If your furnace currently runs on fossil fuels, you could significantly reduce your carbon footprint by making the switch to a heat pump.
Heat pumps are much more energy efficient than other electric heating systems like baseboard heaters or electric furnaces. Moreover, most heat pumps have higher SEER ratings than air conditioners, which means they use less energy in cooling mode.
3. Heat pumps can cool and warm your home.
Heat pumps effectively cool your home, but did you know they can also heat your space? One of the biggest advantages of heat pumps is that they act as both an air conditioner and a furnace. In reverse mode, a heat pump can extract heat from outdoor air and funnel it inside to warm your home when the temperature dips.
Believe it or not, a heat pump can suck thermal energy from outdoor air at temperatures as cold as -32 C. However, at these extreme temperatures, the unit becomes less energy efficient because it has to work harder.
4. Heat pumps maintain a more consistent temperature
Many heat pumps are variable-speed units, meaning they can maintain a more consistent indoor temperature than air conditioners. Air conditioners and furnaces are single-speed systems, which means the unit kicks in when the temperature hits a certain point and then turns off when the desired temperature is reached.
Heat pumps don’t cycle on and off. They keep running at slower or greater speeds, so the temperature fluctuates less, making your indoor living area more comfortable.
5. Heat pumps don’t need ducts
A heat pump is an excellent choice if you live in a house or condo without ductwork. Mini-split heat pumps, like mini-split air conditioners, don’t require ducts. Instead, mini-split heat pumps use a series of one or more indoor units located throughout the home.
Another advantage to ductless systems is that you can cool or heat only the rooms you use, further reducing your energy use. By the way, you can also get central heat pumps that can be retrofitted to use your existing ductwork.
6. Heat pumps are quiet
Contrary to popular belief, heat pumps are no louder than air conditioners. Heat pumps produce noise levels of about 40 to 50 decibels, which is about the same as a quiet dishwasher or standard air conditioning unit.
The most efficient electric heat pump
When choosing a new heating and cooling system for your home, consider a heat pump from Carrier, a long-time leader in the HVAC industry. Carrier has developed patented technology that makes their heat pumps some of the most energy efficient in the market. Carrier products are also known for their innovative technology and reliability.
If it’s time to replace your old furnace and air conditioner, speak to the experts at Aire One Heating & Cooling about switching over to a heat pump to help you save money on your utility bills.
Southern Ontario’s heating and cooling experts
Aire One Heating & Cooling has been helping customers in Southern Ontario heat and cool their homes for over 30 years. We carry top-quality products and employ a team of qualified technicians. If you need a heat pump, furnace, air conditioner or boiler system installed in your Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo or Guelph home, contact us today. We have two locations in Kitchener and Cambridge.