| Q. I've been thinking about buying a heat pump to | | | | they can only extract heat from outdoor air |
| replace my aging forced-air oil furnace. How do | | | | down to a point where they are no longer |
| they work, and are they really as efficient as | | | | economical; and at some lower point, most don't |
| advertised?A. If you're shopping for a new home | | | | work at all. Ground and water source heat pumps |
| or looking for ways to trim costs, heat pumps | | | | are more efficient, but several times more |
| can provide both heating and cooling, and in some | | | | expensive, and not suitable for all locations. |
| cases, hot water heating.In areas where natural | | | | "Bi-valent" heat pumps use a gas or oil-fired |
| gas is not available, heat pumps are a popular | | | | heater to pre-heat the outdoor coil, so that the |
| alternative, but using only a heat pump for all your | | | | heat-pump can continue to operate more |
| heating needs wouldn't be economical, or even | | | | efficiently in colder weather."What's the bottom |
| possible. Most heat pumps use electricity as a | | | | line?"There are many factors to consider before |
| power source, and most of them just don't cut | | | | purchasing any heating or cooling system. |
| the mustard in very cold weather. Suplementary | | | | Carefully weigh the ancicipated savings against the |
| heat such as gas, oil, electric and wood are used | | | | cost of the new installation. What kind of system |
| when the temperature falls below about 5C, or | | | | do you already have, how old and how efficient is |
| 42F. However, if you already have a heating | | | | it, and will it be compatible, economical and |
| system and you're considering air-conditioning, a | | | | convenient to use with a heat pump? What kind |
| heat pump can be an economical way to heat or | | | | of energy sources are available in your area, and |
| cool the house for most of the year.Summer | | | | how reliable are they? Will you have to open |
| cooling will add to your annual energy bill! Heat | | | | finished walls and ceilings to install duct work?Do |
| pumps warm the house in cooler weather and | | | | your homework first!Copyright Gil Strachan - All |
| cool it in warm weather. They are powered by | | | | rights reserved.Gil Strachan is a professional home |
| electricity. If you add a heat pump or convert | | | | inspector, representing Electrospec Home |
| from another system, and you didn't have air | | | | Inspection Services in east-central Ontario, Canada |
| conditioning before, you're going to find your | | | | since 1994. Visit to learn more about home |
| electricity bills higher than before."How Do They | | | | inspections."The Home Reference Book" |
| Work?" Most heat pumps are "air-to-air" and use | | | | You can probably find a home inspection for a |
| a fluid medium to absorb heat from the air at one | | | | little less than what we ask, but you probably |
| location and transfer it to the air at another. | | | | won't find the Home Reference Book. A $60 |
| Refridgerators and air conditioners are both | | | | value, this solutions-oriented reference tool comes |
| examples of one-way heat pumps. But the cycle | | | | free with every inspection we perform.It's the |
| is reversible, and heat pumps can be used almost | | | | first tool you should have around the house! |
| year-round to move heat either way. However, | | | | |