It’s a serious question if you’re considering installing a new HVAC system: how well does a heat pump work in the winter? The sad answer is, not as well as you might like. Heat pumps have a lot of benefits, which we’ll discuss in a moment. But when temperatures drop below 40 degrees, they lose a lot of efficiency, and here in Rocky River, heat pumps run into cold weather on a regular basis. Ohio winters are often more than a heat pump can handle, but don’t worry. With a little modification, you can still enjoy all of the benefits that a heat pump can provide.
Heat pumps operate in a manner similar to air conditioners, circulating refrigerant gas that is first transferred into a liquid and then converted back into a gas. The process generates both warm and cool air, which the heat pump can blow into your home via a fan. In the summer, cool air is the priority. In winter it’s the warm air. The heat pump can handle both and because it’s merely transferring heat instead of generating it, it uses a lot less energy than traditional furnaces do.
Unfortunately, it does much less well in the cold, and in this neck of the woods “cold” is par for the course during the winter months. In practical terms, it removes a lot of the benefits that a heat pump has. Enter the hybrid unit. This brings a smaller auxiliary furnace to bear on days when the temperature gets really chilly, helping the heat pump out and ensuring that you still have a warm and comfortable home no matter what. Because the furnace in a hybrid system is small, it still costs less than other forms of heating, saving you money without having to skimp on your ability to warm your home.
Heat pumps and other heating system services in Rocky River are offered by the experts at Westland Heating and Air Conditioning. We know that heat pumps don’t always work as well as you’d like in the winter, and we have the solutions to make your system work as well as you could wish. Call us today to discuss your options. You’ll be glad you did!
