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10 Benefits & Drawbacks of Purchasing a Heat Pump

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10 Benefits & Drawbacks of Purchasing a Heat Pump

A heat pump is a versatile system that provides both warm air and cold air to your home. It is often installed outdoors and uses either geothermal heat or heat energy from surrounding air to operate. Heat pumps are a great alternative to furnaces depending on the climate you live in. To help you choose a new heating system, we have compiled an extensive list of the benefits and drawbacks of installing a heat pump system in your home.

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Benefits

People often opt for heat pumps because of their benefits in many areas, like the environment and wallet. Five heat pump benefits are:

Efficiency

Compared to other heating and cooling systems, heat pumps are more efficient. They use less energy and fuel to heat/cool your home, and some water pumps show efficiency rates of up to %600. They also have a long lifespan of up to 50 years.

VentProvide Warm and Cold Air

A benefit of investing in a heat pump is that it is designed to distribute warm and cold air in your house. This could help you save some money because it reduces the costs associated with installing two different systems. Plus, it takes up less space since it is only one system with two functions.

Health Advantages

Heat pumps are fairly quiet, operating at a lower sound than most dishwashers. They also help improve air quality by filtering the air and dehumidifying your environment. Good air indoor air quality is important because it can help prevent sickness and health complications.

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Reduces Harmful Emissions

One of a heat pump’s major benefits is that it is eco-friendly. Because no fossil fuels are used for the heat pump’s operation, there are no noxious fumes being released into the air. The reduction of carbon emissions helps the environment. This also helps home users save about $459 annually.

FamilyMinimal Maintenance

Heat pumps do not require a lot of maintenance. They require a system check once a year, but this can be done by the homeowner instead of paying a professional to perform a check. The low amount of maintenance required by a heat pump is a benefit to homeowners that are looking for ways to save money on expensive household repair projects.

This helps save money in the long run.

Drawbacks

Although there are many heat pump benefits, they also carry their drawbacks. Here are 5 heat pump drawbacks:

Higher Utility Bills

Air source heat pumps use electricity to operate. This means that even though you use less fuel overall, the electricity bill could still be high because of your heat pump’s use on top of everything else you use electricity for. This holds especially true if you live in an area where electricity is significantly high.

MoneyHigh Upfront Cost

Heat pumps have some of the highest upfront costs. This could deter homeowners from purchasing them. The reason they are so costly is because of the quality of equipment, installation complexity, type of system, labor, and more. If you’re comparing the pros and cons of purchasing a heat pump, you will notice that the average cost to this type of system varies from $12,000 to $20,000. On the other hand, the average cost to install a furnace ranges from $5,000 or higher.

Uses Electricity

While using electricity to heat your home instead of fossil fuel combustion is better for the environment, electricity carries its own risks. When there is a power outage, you will not be able to run your heat pump. If the area you live in is prone to frequent power outages, a heat pump might not be a good idea.

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Hard to Install

Heat pumps are difficult to install due to all the pre-planning they require. You will be required to conduct research prior to installing a heat pump, such as understanding the movement of heat, local geology, and the heating and cooling requirements for your home. If you are analyzing the pros and cons of purchasing a heat pump, geothermal heat pumps require even more attention because the ground needs to be dug up in order to install the system.

Less Efficient in Cold Weather Locations

Heat pumps are not recommended for homes where the winters are long and harsh, such as in some Northern states. They do not heat efficiently in freezing environments and the frigid cold can damage the system. That’s why heat pumps are best for states like Arizona, Texas, and more. However, there are options to upgrade your heat pump system to overcome this problem.

ThinkingThings to Consider

There are many heat pump pros and cons, but some of them can be offset by the other. For example, although there are high costs associated with the installation of a heat pump, the amount of money you save on maintenance and energy used could eventually make up for this. Another thing to consider is if you have a home in a region where the winters are 40º Fahrenheit or lower, a heat pump might not be the best option for you. A heat pump system will start to lose efficiency at 40º Fahrenheit.

States that have the Best Climate for Heat Pumps Include:

  • California
  • Texas
  • Arizona
  • Florida
  • Tennesee
  • Misouri
  • Virginia

Also consider the two types of heat pumps: geothermal and air source. Depending on your home’s location and climate, one or the other might be better. On the whole, geothermal—or ground source—heat pumps are more efficient.

Have Questions or Need Help? Fenwick Has Your Back

Do you want to install a heat pump? Do you already have one, but it needs some repairs? Trying to figure out what the best option is for you? The technicians on our team can discuss the pros and cons of investing in a heat pump system with you. Our team of licensed technicians provides dependable HVAC services such as heat pump installation, furnace repair, ductless mini-split system replacement, and air conditioning repair. Our staff has the tools and equipment necessary to fix a problem with your geothermal heat pump or air source heat pump. For fast and efficient services, give us a call.

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