Why Use A Heat Pump?
When you’re accustomed to our hot Georgia summers, you might think a heat pump is the last thing you need. We at Absolute Comfort Air encourage you to think again, as not only can heat pumps keep your home warm when the temperatures drop, they can do the opposite too. Cooling your house through the summer and warming it through the winter are both things a heat pump can do.
Plenty of homeowners make use of heat pumps to regulate their home temperature. On top of that, they can do it without generating any heat of their own. Even here in Winder, there’s a lot of good that heat pumps are capable of.
Understanding Heat Pumps
Heat pumps — in contrast to their name — can serve to both heat and cool your home. They work by transferring heat from one location to another, providing heating and cooling as needed, where needed. The refrigerant, a fluid that changes between liquid and gaseous states, circulates inside the unit to carry out the heat transfer process.
In its heating mode, the heat pump transfers outdoor heat into your home interior. In the cooling mode, the opposite happens and indoor heat is extracted and removed. The transference of air — especially outdoor air — is a key aspect of the heat pump process.
Most of these units are known as air source heat pumps (ASHP), as they extract outside air to provide warmth or cooling as necessary. Other popular types are ground source (GSHP) and exhaust air heat pumps (EAHP).
At What Temperature Do Heat Pumps Stop Working?
Since heat pumps rely so much on outdoor air, it’s understandable to be concerned about extreme temperatures. While practical and energy-efficient in almost all climates, it’s not unheard of for very high or low temperatures to affect heat pumps. Your unit isn’t completely defenseless against these natural forces, but it’s still worthwhile to make note of them.
Do Heat Pumps Work Over 100 Degrees?
Many modern heat pumps can stand up to powerful highs and lows, but not always. When the outdoor air temperature is very high, a heat pump’s ability to extract heat for cooling can be limited. ASHP units are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat since they draw from natural air directly. A particularly scorching Georgia summer could thus pose problems for your heat pump system.
GSHP units can be a lot more reliable for dealing with unrelenting heat. These pumps draw temperature from the ground, which — unlike the air — is a much more constant temperature. This variety can be more beneficial for taking on extreme heat.
Do Heat Pumps Work Below 20 Degrees?
Just like when it gets very hot, ASHP units can face challenges in extremely cold temperatures. As the outdoor temperature drops, there is less heat energy available in the air to extract for heating. Some ASHP units are equipped with advanced components, such as variable-speed compressors and improved refrigerants, to enhance performance in colder conditions. This can’t always be guaranteed, however.
Once again, a GSHP system can face extremely cold temperatures much better than the alternative. Even when the air feels cold enough to freeze you solid, your GSHP unit will continue to harness the stable temperature from the ground. If you’re the type to plan for emergencies, a GSHP installation might be the right choice for you.
Better Heating And Cooling In Winder
No matter what kind of heat pump you might be interested in, Absolute Comfort Air is ready to help. Installation, maintenance, repair — we’ll ensure your heat pump serves you right regardless of the time of year. To get started, you need only give us a call!
