Heat pumps act much like a refrigerator in reverse, transferring heat from one place to another. While a fridge transfers heat from inside the fridge to outside (to cool the inside space), a heat pump uses a small amount of energy to move heat that exists outside the house, to the inside.
Even on cold days there is heat available from the outside, which can be used to heat your home. This means instead of generating heat like electric baseboards, heat pumps can use electricity to give more heat for less cost.
The two components of a heat pump – an inside unit and an outside unit – work together as a system to transfer and distribute the heat to the home.
Air conditioning too
One of the common attractions to heat pumps is its cooling ability. The cooling cycle reverses the heating process to transfer heat out of your home. The heat pump also acts as a dehumidifier during the cooling cycle.
Heat pump systems that transfer heat from the outside air are called air source heat pumps and systems that transfer heat from the ground or water are called geothermal heat pumps. Most heat pumps installed in New Brunswick today are air source.
There are two main types of air-source heat pumps: ducted systems and ductless or “mini-split” systems.
Ductless mini-split systems are generally more affordable than ducted systems and are currently the most popular choice of homeowners in New Brunswick. They’re easy to install and suitable for homes without an existing warm air ducting system. They consist of a wall-mounted unit (usually mounted close to the ceiling) and the outside unit. Learn more about ductless systems here.
Ducted systems use forced-air ducting to distribute heating and cooling. They make use of existing ductwork in a home whereas mini-splits do not require a forced-air system. A central ducted heat pump system is an efficient alternative to your existing furnace. It provides consistent heating and cooling throughout your home, utilizing existing ductwork. Learn more about ducted systems here.
For Heating
Most of the time it's set it and forget it: It’s best to set your heat pump at a comfortable temperature and not change it. Heat pumps operate most efficiently when holding a steady temperature. Turning a heat pump down when you’re away or asleep may actually use more energy than leaving it on. This is because it has to work harder to come back to the desired temperature than it does to maintain it.
To keep your heat pump running efficiently and lasting longer, follow the recommended temperature settings and maintenance schedule in the owner's manual. This helps protect key parts like the fan and compressor.
For Air Conditioning
Remember that cooling uses energy too, and these costs can add up, so be careful not to overuse this feature during summer months.
If your home does not require air conditioning, simply shut off your heat pump. As heat pumps still use electricity, use it only when needed for cooling and try other ways to keep your home cool (like closing windows and curtains during the hottest parts of the day, or planting leafy trees in front of windows).
Central ducted systems can be switched to a low energy “Circulate Only” mode which simply moves cool air from the basement to other warmer areas of the home.
If your home experiences overheating in the summer, this can be a sign of inadequate insulation so consider having a Home Energy Evaluation that may save on both your cooling and heating costs.