If you are looking to replace your current HVAC system, you have probably heard about heat pumps. You have listened to many of the pros and maybe some cons about the systems and wonder how well they would work in Bastrop, Texas. The following information can help you make an informed decision before making an HVAC purchase.
Heat Pumps Provide Heating and Cooling
Summers in Bastrop, Texas, can get very hot. And although winters do not get as cold as they might in a place like Wisconsin, there are some winter nights when having a little extra heating is not that bad of a thing.
Heat pumps serve as heating and cooling systems. However, as a homeowner or a business owner, you only have to worry about repairing one system throughout the year instead of doing maintenance on a furnace before winter and then on your AC unit before summer, as you would with a traditional HVAC system.
Since a heat pump serves dual functions, it can help you save space in the home. But you may wonder how the same device can heat and cool your home.
During the summer, your heat pump works like a traditional air conditioner. It removes humidity and heat from the indoor air and transfers that heat to the outdoor air. During the winter, the heat pump works in reverse. Instead of moving the heat from your home outside, it absorbs the heat from the outside air and transfers that into your home. As surprising as it might sound, there is still enough heat in the winter air to heat your home.
Of course, the colder it is outside, the harder your heat pump must work to transfer heat. But since Texas is blessed with mild winters, heat pumps can usually get the job done without much trouble.
Using a Heat Pump in Bastrop Could Lower Heating Costs
Heat pumps can use up to 50% less electricity than furnaces, baseboard heaters, or other electric resistance heaters. This is because heat pumps transfer heat; they do not create it.
A heat pump pulls the heat from the outside air and then pushes that into your home. As a result, your heat pump can transfer up to three times more heat than the electricity it uses. You need to create heat using electricity with a baseboard or electric furnace. These devices consume a ton of energy to heat your home.
Some homeowners choose to pair their heat pump with a gas furnace. This type of dual-fuel system has the gas furnace as a backup for the rare occasion when the outside air becomes too cold for a heat pump to work. Gas furnaces use a minute amount of energy, so they can keep you warm on inclement days and still help you save on energy.
Will a Heat Pump Really Work on a Cold Bastrop, Texas, Night?
It will. On average, during December, January, and February, Bastrop, Texas, has nightly temperatures between 41 and 44 degrees Fahrenheit. This is chilly but not so cold that a heat pump won’t work.
Modern cold climate heat pumps can effectively and evenly heat your home even when the outside temperature is 10 degrees below zero. High-quality, efficient heat pumps are even more efficient at this temperature than boilers and furnaces. Once the temperature drops below 10 degrees, a heat pump loses effectiveness.
Some heat pumps are equipped with resistance heating. These are electric heating coils that are installed in your HVAC system. These coils activate if the heat pump loses efficiency because the outdoor temperature is too cold.
Resistant heating is not as energy efficient as just using the heat pump. This is why homeowners opt for a dual fuel system to keep things comfortable while keeping energy costs in check in areas where the weather gets very cold.
At Blue Ribbon Cooling & Heating, we have helped many homeowners in our area install heat pumps. We can help you evaluate your current HVAC needs and determine the right system for you.
Heat Pumps Are Cost-Efficient to Replace
When it comes time to replace your heat pump, you’ll need to replace one system, making it less expensive than replacing a furnace and AC combo.
Additionally, when replacing a furnace and AC combo, you usually replace either the furnace or the air conditioner before it needs to be replaced. Your furnace might be giving you problems, but the air conditioner could be working 100% okay. However, your contractor will likely recommend replacing both units together to save on labor costs. If a heat pump fails, you are just replacing one unit and reaping the benefits of heating and cooling.
Heat pumps last, on average, 15 years as long as they are properly maintained. If they are poorly maintained or have a high use load, they could wear out in as little as ten years. Some of the newer manufactured units have the prospect of lasting up to 20 years or longer.
Different Types of Heat Pumps
There are several heat pumps, but the air source heat pump is the most common. This is a heat pump that transfers air between the outside environment and the indoors. A less common type is the water source heat pump. This heat pump draws its warmth from the warmer underground temperatures. A dual-source heat pump combines the best features of the water source and air source heat pump. Typically, the dual-source heat pump is more resilient and lasts longer.
Additional Reasons to Consider a Heat Pump in Bastrop, Texas
Heat pumps offer some health advantages over traditional furnace and AC combinations. First, a heat pump is quiet, usually producing less sound than a dishwasher. They can improve air quality by filtering and dehumidifying the air in your environment. Good air quality protects you from sickness and negative health complications.
Heat pumps are eco-friendly because they don’t use fossil fuels. No noxious fumes are being released into the air, and reducing CO2 emissions is good for the environment.
Heat pumps are relatively simple devices that do a complex job. As such, they do not require a ton of maintenance. You will need to have the Blue Ribbon Cooling & Heating professionals do a yearly system check and maintenance, but as long as you keep up with the maintenance, your system should function efficiently for years.
Work With a Top-Notch HVAC Company in Bastrop, Texas
At Blue Ribbon Cooling & Heating, you can rely on our team of expert, local contractors to provide top-notch HVAC maintenance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For over two decades, we have provided HVAC service to customers in Bastrop County. Our workers are skilled, do quality work, are honest, and are happy to work within our client’s budgets.
Services we offer include HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance. This includes installing ductless mini-splits and heat pumps. Our air quality services include the installation of humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, and filtration systems. Contact Blue Ribbon Cooling & Heating today to see how we offer the best HVAC service in our area.