Conventional furnaces, which turn electricity or fuel like natural gas into heat, are very efficient. Current models in Goose Creek, SC, are up to 98.5 percent efficient. However, heat pumps deliver the same amount of heating at a fraction of the cost.
Moving Heat
The key difference between a heat pump and a furnace is that heat pumps only move heat — they don’t convert electricity or fuel into thermal energy. Using the same mechanical principles that allow an air conditioner to move heat from inside your home to outside, a heat pump can move heat in the other direction. A heat pump is so efficient that it can reduce heating costs by up to 60 percent compared to a brand new furnace. If you’re replacing an older system, you will likely save even more money.
2-Stage Heat Pump Systems
Heat pumps have been around for years, but many new systems use 2-stage compressors that can run at low and high settings depending on the heating load. Older systems have a single-stage compressor that runs the same whether it’s 10 degrees or 60 outside. While 2-stage compressors used to be limited to high-end systems, they are becoming far more common in entry- and mid-grade systems. Combined with a multi-speed fan in the interior air handler, a new heat pump system is better able to adapt to changing weather conditions.
Higher SEER Ratings
A typical HVAC system installed at the turn of the century had a SEER rating, which measures the energy efficiency, of about 10. Newer systems are pushing 20 SEER, so they use about half the energy per unit of heating or cooling. In fact, the United States now requires new split systems to have a minimum SEER rating of at least 14 in most regions, so even an entry-level heat pump today will be more efficient than one installed 15 or 20 years ago.
Looking for a Summerville heat pump replacement while cutting utility bills? Give us a call today or visit us at Acute Heating & Cooling today!
