Energy Efficient Heat Pump Technology When powered with clean electricity as generated by wind, solar or the use of a cleaner gas source heat pumps can reduce household carbon emissions from heating by about 75 percent Now, innovations in refrigerant gasses and other components mean that the latest models are even more efficient They're also getting smaller and more sleek, meaning they blend better with the home Energy Efficiency Heat pumps are more efficient than electric resistance furnaces and other furnaces because they utilize the ambient air heat to heat homes, instead of burning fuel Their energy efficiency can be measured using the coefficient of performance COP A high COP means that one kWh of electricity will provide multiple kilowatt-hours of heat http//amidagroupir/user/desirebrick35/ have COPs of four This means that one kWh can generate four kWh This means that, even in cold climates heat pumps can be used to significantly reduce carbon emissions from heating buildings But to truly reduce emissions, it is essential to ensure that the electricity used by heat pumps comes from renewable sources, such as solar and wind This will increase the overall efficiency of heat pump systems, allowing them to operate them with less fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas GHG emissions The efficiency of a heat pump is contingent on the temperature of its two reservoirs, the outdoor and indoor storage tanks In cooling mode the heat pump draws in heat from the surrounding air and uses its refrigerant to transfer it between the storage tanks and the house When the system shifts to heating, it reverses this flow The outdoor coil now becomes the evaporator, and the inside coil functions as the condenser The reversing valve also alters the direction of the electrical current flowing through the working fluid, which now acts as the compressor The power generated by the increased electrical current causes the working fluid to expand and push the heat from the outside into the home With the right conditions, a heat pump can generate up to seven kilowatt hours of electricity per kilowatt-hour of energy consumed The higher the COP, the more energy-efficient it is As technology improves and more models are being developed to accommodate a wider variety of climates Certain models are made to withstand freezing temperatures while others have furnaces built in for use in the harshest climates Certain utilities and governments offer incentives such as rebates or special electricity rates for homeowners who choose to switch to heat pumps They are also testing ways to maximize the power of these appliances by using them to store and absorb renewable energy, or by remunerating consumers for helping shift their peak demand away fossil fuels Efficiency Ratings The efficiency ratings of heat pumps are a crucial consideration for buyers They're a great way to compare one heat pump to another and make sure you're purchasing the highest quality equipment The most commonly used ratings are SEER and HSPF These rates tell how the performance of a heat pump during its cooling and heating seasons Other important ratings include SCOP ERP, EER NPLV and IPLV The EER rating of the heat pump is a measure of how effectively it uses electrical energy to produce cooling The EER rating is determined by the cooling output compared to its electrical input Higher ratings indicate greater efficiency When shopping for a heat pump, begin with one that has an EER rating It's worth investing even though the minimum SEER rating allowed currently is 13 This will result in lower energy costs and energy consumption in the long run Generation X were born in the middle of the oil crisis and have been the driving force behind the demand for more efficient appliances Since 1992, the US Department of Energy has set minimum standards for SEER and HSPF ratings of heat pumps While SEER is the most frequently used cooling rating, it's also crucial to select an air conditioner that has an HSPF rating that is high as well Heat pumps with a high HSPF rating will cost more initially, but they'll eventually pay for themselves in the form of significant energy savings over time They also reduce greenhouse gasses and improve the environment Many factors can affect the efficiency of an energy-efficient heat pump such as its size and where it is installed in the house For instance, a buffer tank that allows warmer supply water to mix with cooler return water could lower the efficiency This is particularly relevant if the mixing valve doesn't have a thermostatic setting The design and insulation of the ductwork that is on the heat pump is a different factor to consider If the ducts are not properly constructed or not insulated, they can decrease the airflow of the heat pump and cause it to perform more work to reach the desired temperature In some cases the technician might be able to fix this issue by cleaning the evaporator's coil or adjusting the refrigerant charge Installation A heat pump is an air conditioning and heating system that is able to cool your home, just like an air conditioner It is a replacement for traditional heating methods, like gas furnaces A Carrier expert can assist you to select the right heat pump for your home and climate The heat pump has the advantage of being able to work in mild climates This is not true for other heating systems The heat pump utilizes ambient air to heat the room This air can come from the ground, the air inside your house, or the air outside your home, depending on the type of heat pump you pick The primary function of a heat pump is to pull the same amount of energy from the home's air that it uses to cool It does this by utilizing the reversing valve, which changes the direction of the refrigerant's flow Air is blown through an evaporator coil, which carries the heat from the air to the refrigerant The reversing switch alters the flow direction to condenser This heat is then transferred to the indoor air and the cycle begins again If you're considering the installation of a heat pump in your home, think about getting a few in-home consultations from different installation companies Then, compare the prices and energy efficiency ratings that each one offers This will give you an idea of the cost and benefits as well as the long-term reliability of each heat pump installation Your local Carrier expert can assist you with the installation of a new heat pump by properly sizing and positioning it for maximum performance They can assess the particular heating and cooling requirements of your space, as well the size and condition of your ductwork This lets them choose the most suitable heat pump for you and your budget In addition to making sure that the heat pump is the right size for your home, an HVAC expert can provide advice about making improvements to your house to improve its energy efficiency This will help you save even more energy by implementing a new system For instance, upgrading your insulation and repairing air leaks can make your heat pump run more into the winter by allowing it to draw in ambient air from the colder outside Maintenance Like cars, heat pumps require regular maintenance to ensure their performance is at its best Two regular maintenance visits per year - once in spring and again in the fall -- will help your system work properly throughout heating season If your heat pump isn't working properly will likely require more energy to attain the same level of comfort as a well-maintained unit, resulting in higher utility bills each month There are a number of home maintenance tasks to increase the efficiency of your heat pump and extend its life Cleaning your air filters in the indoors monthly or replacing them with reusable ones will improve the indoor air quality, and the heat pump will use less energy to circulate the air Keep outdoor units free of debris, foliage and wildlife to prevent airflow obstructions This will also improve heat pump efficiency Another simple maintenance step to be aware of is to inspect your heat pump for tripped circuit breakers or fuses and fuse blows, which could be the result of an electrical overload or ignition issue that needs professional attention Additionally, it's important to test your thermostat frequently to make sure that it's operating at right temperature and not sending the system into overdrive If you notice strange sounds emanating from your heat pump It's usually a sign of a clogged air duct or dirty blower fan that needs professional help It is a good idea to clean the evaporator coils periodically This will decrease dust build-up and increase airflow Finaly, ensure that the condensate drain is free of debris to prevent obstructions and leaks, as well as fire hazards The cost of maintenance and repairs will vary based on the type of system you have, how old it is and how easy it can be for a licensed technician to work on Repairing smaller systems that heat and cool a single room is less expensive than large units which provide air conditioning for the entire house The location of a heat pump in a crawlspace could influence the cost of maintenance and repair