| A heat pump is basically a reverse air conditioner. | | | | people where electricity is predominantly used. |
| Instead of having cold coils on the inside and heat | | | | In what type of climate do you live? If you live in |
| coils on the outside, this process is reversed. A | | | | a place where the weather gets extremely cold |
| heat pump has a switch to change from air | | | | for long periods of time, a heat pump may not be |
| conditioner mode to heater mode. When in heater | | | | as energy efficient as it would be if you lived in a |
| mode, it moves hot air into the home, heating it. | | | | moderate climate. If the weather continually gets |
| If the switch is turned to air conditioner mode, | | | | below about 30? F, the heat pump has to work |
| the reverse effect occurs, cooling the home. A | | | | harder to warm already cold air. A supplemental |
| blower pulls air from inside and circulates it against | | | | heating process that runs on electricity may be |
| the coils, then blows it into the home. | | | | needed to provide sufficient warmth. This process |
| A heat pump is energy efficient and can save | | | | may make the costs prohibitive. |
| you money in fuel costs. However, there are | | | | Heat pumps come in a variety of sizes. The size |
| certain considerations that should be thought of | | | | chosen depends on the size of your home. Most |
| before determining if this type of device is right | | | | homes need a capacity of two to five tons to |
| for your home. What type of fuel is customary in | | | | adequately heat and cool the home. Make |
| your area? If you use natural gas, you may want | | | | comparisons and check energy efficiency on |
| to stay with traditional heating and cooling | | | | models before making a decision as to whether a |
| systems that use that. Heat pumps work on | | | | heat pump is right for your home. |
| electricity and this type of energy is more | | | | Heating pumps can be a valuable addition to your |
| expensive than natural gas. | | | | home. Consider the type of climate and the |
| If you are using electricity, though, a heat pump | | | | source of fuel used in your area. Make a |
| can save on energy costs from your traditional air | | | | determination on whether this investment is right |
| conditioning and heating units. The installation of a | | | | for your home by comparing existing energy |
| heat pump is more expensive than a traditional | | | | costs with the savings a heat pump will offer. |
| unit; however, the heat pump can heat or cool a | | | | Keep in mind that installation and purchasing is an |
| home up to 2.5 times the amount of an air | | | | initial investment but can greatly pay off over |
| conditioning unit using the same amount of power. | | | | time. |
| This makes a heat pump a great option for | | | | |