A Homeowner’s Guide: Understanding How Your Heat Pump Works

Keeping your Missouri home warm in winter and cool in summer isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity—and a heat pump will help you do it efficiently and cost-effectively. This easy-to-understand guide will teach you the basics of heat pumps, including their inner workings, their benefits, and your installation options.

What Are Heat Pumps, Anyway?

The first step in understanding how your heat pump works is learning what it is. Despite its name, a heat pump is an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that cools and heats homes by moving heat from place to place. Whether moving heat into the house for warmth or moving it out for cooling, a heat pump will do the job.

How Heat Pumps Work

Heat pumps use minimal energy to pull hot air from the air or the ground, moving it inside the system, compressing it, and pushing it into the house. For cooling, the process is reversed. Instead of sucking heat in, the pump uses an evaporator, coils, and refrigerant to absorb it and blow it outside.

This heat transfer method makes heat pumps an efficient option compared to other systems that generate heat. While heat pumps work well in most climates, they have limits; temperatures below freezing may affect their function. The longer frigid air hangs around, the more likely it is that a heat pump will have problems—and that’s why it’s so important for homeowners to have backup heating sources and contact information for a local HVAC repair company.

Heat Pump Benefits

Heat pumps have been popular among Missouri homeowners for years, and they’re still a smart choice. Home heat pumps offer benefits including:

• High efficiency ratings. While performance depends on energy usage and heat transfer, the average COP (coefficient of performance) for a heat pump is 2.5 kilowatts or more. In contrast, conventional heating systems have COPs of about 1 kilowatt.
• Cost-effectiveness. Because of their efficiency, heat pumps are an affordable indoor comfort option. They use very little power, unlike some other systems, and they can add value to your home despite the upfront installation cost.
• Heat pumps are versatile enough to heat and cool Missouri homes.
• Controlling humidity. When used to cool the home, a heat pump also serves as a dehumidifier. Airborne moisture condenses on the surface of the pump’s coils, collecting in a pan on the bottom of the unit.
• Environmental friendliness. Because heat pumps don’t rely on combustion to generate heat, their carbon emissions are minimal.

With all these benefits, it’s no surprise that more of the state’s homeowners are turning to heat pumps. Learn more by scheduling an appointment with one of our heating and cooling experts.

Heat Pump Maintenance

Scheduling regular preventive maintenance helps heat pumps run smoothly. During a check-up, a technician may:

• Check system controls.
• Inspect the heat exchanger and connections.
• Clean the system’s coils.
• Check the refrigerant level and add more if needed.
• Assess airflow.
• Check the thermostat for proper function.
• Inspect the ductwork for leaks.
• Verify the condition of other system components.

As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to monitor the heat pump between service appointments. During our next visit, the technician will show you how to change, clean, and inspect the heat pump’s filter.

Schedule Expert Heat Pump Service

Whether you need installation or maintenance services, our team can help. We offer comprehensive residential heating and cooling services to homeowners in St. Louis and the surrounding area, and we’re here to help you stay comfortable all year long. Learn more about our services and book a consultation by filling out our online form or calling today.