Living without an efficiently performing HVAC system would be unimaginable here in Phoenix, AZ. Summer temperatures regularly reach triple digits, making it dangerous to be outside for long. Even though winters don’t get extremely cold, reliable heat is also necessary, especially during chilly nights. Let’s look at the basics of how heat pumps work and some of their significant advantages for homes in the Phoenix area.
How Do Heat Pumps Work?
A heat pump is mechanically designed very similar to a standard air conditioner. Both pieces of equipment rely on the refrigeration cycle to move heat from one place to another. However, a heat pump can do something an AC can’t. It can operate in reverse. That means a heat pump also serves as a highly efficient heating system. Both take advantage of a fundamental law of thermodynamics: heat always moves toward colder areas. In other words, collecting heat with a colder transfer medium is always possible. Conversely, it’s always possible to expel heat if your transfer medium is hotter than its surroundings.
Just like an AC, a heat pump uses a compressor to manipulate the pressure and temperature of a refrigerant. The refrigerant gets colder at low pressure, and at high pressure, it gets hotter. In cooling mode, a heat pump sends cold refrigerant into your home to collect heat. Then, it sends the warm refrigerant through the compressor to make it hot. At that point, the refrigerant will reach a temperature between 120 and 140 degrees. That’s hotter than the outdoor air in almost all cases. When the hot refrigerant passes through the outdoor heat exchanger, it readily releases heat.
A heat pump does the same thing in heating mode but in the opposite direction. It sends low-pressure cold refrigerant through the outdoor heat exchanger. The refrigerant can be as cold as -15 degrees, depending on the heat pump. As a result, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outside air. Then, the warmed refrigerant passes through the compressor, getting hot enough to heat your home.
Seven Important Heat Pump Advantages
Heat pumps are becoming a go-to HVAC option in the Phoenix area. Let’s look at seven of their benefits.
1. High Energy Efficiency
One of the biggest advantages owners of heat pumps enjoy is high energy efficiency. Many heat pumps boast high SEER ratings exceeding average AC equipment. That means they’ll cost less to run in cooling mode. Since we live in a desert climate, a high-efficiency cooling solution can save you a lot on energy costs. In heating mode, a heat pump’s efficiency is even more impressive. In ideal climate conditions like ours, a heat pump can reach 400% efficiency in heating mode. In other words, a heat pump can take your already-low heating costs and drive them even lower. The result is lower-than-average electricity costs for your home year-round. According to the Department of Energy, Arizona homes save an average of $300 annually with variable-speed heat pumps.
2. Reduced Maintenance Needs
Another advantage you’ll get from a heat pump is reduced maintenance needs. Since it’s a single system that handles heating and cooling, there are fewer failure points to worry about. Your HVAC technician won’t have to inspect and service two pieces of equipment. That means less time spent on maintenance and lower costs for you.
3. Excellent Longevity
On average, you can expect about 15 years of reliable service from a heat pump if you take care of it. Plus, newer models keep improving on the longevity of their predecessors. That’s on par with or better than comparable heating and cooling solutions. Plus, owning a heat pump means you only need to worry about the longevity of one system, not two.
4. Environmentally Friendly
Phoenix’s average temperatures seem to keep creeping up yearly. This results from climate change, partially driven by our dependence on fossil fuels. A heat pump’s extreme efficiency means it has a lower carbon footprint than most other HVAC solutions. It’s even better if you pair one with a rooftop solar power system or other renewable energy source.
Today’s heat pumps also feature next-generation refrigerants with less environmental risk. Older HVAC systems used refrigerants that posed a significant danger to the environment. For example, R-410A, which most recent ACs use, is 2,088 times more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. The refrigerants replacing it, like R-32 and R-454B, are far less powerful. The former option is only 675 times as potent as carbon dioxide, and the latter is only 466 times as potent as carbon dioxide.
5. Quiet Operation
Today’s heat pumps also have a reputation for operating quietly. That helps them preserve your home’s environment and keeps them from becoming a nuisance. The indoor unit of the average heat pump will only make between 18 and 30 dB of noise while running. That’s the equivalent of a whisper, at worst. A heat pump’s outdoor unit will make about as much noise as a comparable AC. However, some heat pump models boast quieter outdoor units if that’s your priority.
6. They’re Available With Advanced Technology
Like some higher-end air conditioning systems, heat pumps are available with advanced technology options. For example, many contain inverter technology and electronically commutated motors, which let them scale their capacity up and down as needed. On warm days, they can run at reduced speeds to keep your home at a steady, comfortable temperature, and they can do the same on mild winter nights.
7. They Qualify for Incentives
Heat pumps qualify for various incentives you can’t get with other HVAC systems. For example, the Federal Inflation Reduction Act contains two provisions that apply to heat pumps. One gives homeowners a tax credit worth up to 30% of their heat pump’s cost of up to $2,000. The other is a point-of-sale rebate program worth $8,000 based on income. Together, those incentives can reduce the cost of installing a new heat pump, if not eliminate it. Plus, many electric utility providers offer incentives to homeowners installing heat pumps. With temperatures rising, they want to help lower demand through increased efficiency. A heat pump is a perfect way to do that.
Your Local Heat Pump Source
If you’re looking for a new HVAC solution for your Phoenix home, Cool Zone Air Conditioning & Heating is the place to turn. We sell and install the latest heat pump models from industry leaders like Carrier, for whom we’re a Factory Authorized Dealer. Plus, we offer complete cooling and heating installation, repair, and maintenance services, regardless of system type. We’ve served local home and business owners since 2006. Our team of HVAC technicians is NATE-certified and has years of experience. We offer financing on approved credit for all new HVAC systems. We’re also Better Business Bureau accredited and have countless glowing customer reviews.
If a heat pump sounds like the right option for your Phoenix home, call the experts at Cool Zone Air Conditioning & Heating today!
