A Guide to the Different Types of Heat Pumps
Did you know that in 2021, the United States spent about $1 trillion on energy? To help decrease those numbers and be more energy efficient, you need to switch to heat pumps.
Heat pumps are a great option when looking to control the climate in your home. Compared to its alternatives, they are way better for the environment and much more energy-efficient. However, it can be hard to choose from all the heat pump options on the market.
Luckily, we've compiled everything you need to know about the different types of heat pumps to make it easier for you to choose. In this article, we discuss how each of the heat pump options works so you can work out which is the best fit for your home.
What Is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is an energy-efficient alternative to the HVAC systems you may already have in your home. It's a furnace and air-conditioner combined into one eco-friendly solution. Heat pumps are a cleaner way to heat, cool, and even purify the air.
Rather than burning fuel to generate heat, it absorbs and moves the heat circulating in the air. Heat pumps redistribute the heat in the air either into or out of your home. This results in an effective and smart way to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Ducted Air-Source Heat Pump
The first of the three main types of heat pumps is the ducted air-source heat pump like this GREE 3 ton mini split. This is the most common type of heat pump as it transfers the heat to and from the air outside.
It works a lot like central AC, with an indoor and outdoor unit. These units both have aluminum coils that absorb or release heat.
A refrigerated line connects the two units and allows for the heat to transport back and forth. The indoor unit connects to the ducts and air vents in your home and a blower circulates the air around your house.
Ductless Air-Source Heat Pump
A ductless air-source heat pump works much like the ducted version but doesn't rely on ducts around your house to transport the heat in the air. The outside leads the warm air to an indoor air handler, which you can have more than one of in several rooms. It is a perfect choice if your home doesn't have air ducts built in.
The indoor air handlers are usually installed high on the wall, but you can also install them inside the ceiling or floor to have them out of the way. They are the more energy-efficient version of the air-source pumps because they don't need extra energy to maintain flowing ducts.
Geothermal Heat Pump
Geothermal heat pumps differ from air-source heat pumps as they redistribute heat from the ground or a water source instead of the air. They are more expensive to install than air-source heat pumps but make up for them with their lower cost of operation.
They have plenty of advantages like reducing energy consumption by up to 70% and even controlling humidity.
Learn the Different Types of Heat Pumps
Using a heat pump in your home is a great alternative to the other heating and cooling options available. They are not only better for the environment but are also more cost-efficient.
We hope that after reading this article, you have a better idea about the different types of heat pumps. If you found this article informative, check out the rest of our site for more helpful reads.