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Energy Efficient Heat Pump Technology Heating systems that are powered by clean electricity (such as solar, wind or a more environmentally friendly gas source) can cut down on CO2 emissions from heating by up to 75 percent. New models are more efficient now thanks to advances in refrigerant gas as well as other components. And they're getting smaller and sleeker to blend into the rest of the house. Energy Efficiency Heat pumps are more energy efficient than electric resistance or other furnaces because they utilize ambient heat from the air to heat homes, rather than generating their own heat by burning fuel. Their efficiency in energy can be measured by the coefficient performance (COP). A high COP indicates that a single kWh of electricity can provide many kilowatt hours of heat. In general, today's heat pumps have COPs of about four, which means that a single kWh of electricity can produce four kWh of heat. This means that, even in cold climates, heat pumps have the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions from heating buildings. To reduce emissions, heat pumps have to make use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. This will increase the energy efficiency of all heat pump systems, allowing them to operate them with less fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The efficiency of a heat source is dependent on the temperature of its two reservoirs, the indoor and outdoor storage tanks. In cooling mode the heat pump utilizes its refrigerant and draws heat from the air to move between the storage tanks. When the system changes from heating to cooling, this flow is reversed. The outside coil becomes the evaporator, while the inside coil is the condenser. The reversing valve also switches the direction of the electrical current flowing through the working fluid, which acts as a compressor. The power generated by the increased electrical current causes the working fluid to expand and push the heat from the outside into the house. A heat pump can generate seven kilowatt hours of electricity for every kilowatt-hour of energy consumed. The higher the COP, the more energy efficient it is. As technology advances as technology advances, new models are created with a wider range of climates in mind. Certain models are designed to withstand freezing temperatures while others are paired with furnaces to be used in extreme conditions. Certain utilities and governments offer incentives to homeowners who change from heat pumps to heat pumps, such as rebates. They are also testing ways to make the most of the power of these appliances by utilizing them to store and absorb renewable energy, or to reward consumers for helping to shift their peak demand away fossil fuels. Efficiency Ratings Efficiency ratings for heat pumps are a crucial consideration for buyers. These ratings can be a great way to evaluate heat pumps and ensure you're receiving the top equipment. The most popular ratings are SEER and HSPF. These ratings indicate how well a heatpump works in the heating and cooling seasons. Other ratings that are helpful include ERP, EER, SCOP IPLV, NPLV and EER. The EER rating of the heat pump is a measure for how efficiently it utilizes electricity to create cooling. This is determined by the proportion of its cooling output to its electrical input which is higher, indicating more efficiency. When you are looking for a new heat pump, begin with one that has an EER rating. It's worth investing even considering that the minimum SEER rating that is allowed currently is 13. try these guys will result in lower energy costs and less energy consumption over time. Generation X was born during the oil crisis and has been driving the push for more energy efficient appliances. Since 1992 the U.S. Department of Energy has set minimum standards for SEER and HSPF ratings for heat pumps. While SEER is most commonly used to determine cooling ratings but you should also look for heat pumps that have an excellent HSPF. Heat pumps with HSPF ratings that are high are more expensive at first but they'll pay for themselves in the long run with significant energy savings. They also help reduce greenhouse gases and improve the environmental quality. Many factors can influence the efficiency of energy used by a heat pump, including its size and the location in which it is located in the home. A buffer tank, for instance, that allows warmer return water to mix in with cooler supply water can decrease efficiency. This is particularly the case if it does not have an automatic mixing valve. Another factor to consider is how a heat pump's ductwork is designed and constructed and insulated. If the ducts are not properly constructed or not insulated they could reduce the heat pump's airflow and cause it to perform more work to reach the desired temperature. In some cases the technician might be able fix this problem by cleaning the evaporator coil or changing the refrigerant charge. Installation A heat pump is central heating and air system that cools your home just like an air conditioner, but also offers heating. It replaces the traditional heating methods, such as gas furnaces. A Carrier expert will help you select the right heat pump for your climate and home. A key advantage of a heat pump is that it can be effective in mild climates, which is not the case with other heating systems. The heat pump makes use of ambient air to warm the room. This air can come from the ground, the air inside your home, or the air outside your house dependent on the kind of heat pump you choose. A heat pump's basic function is to pull the same amount of energy from your home's air as it does for cooling. It does this by using a reversing valve to change the direction of the flow of refrigerant. The heat is transferred from the air to the refrigerant through blowing air over the coil that evaporates. The reversing switch then alters the flow direction to condenser. This transfers the heat to the indoor air and the cycle repeats. Have a look at having several in-home consultations with various installation companies if you're considering the installation of a heat pump. Compare the prices and energy ratings of each company. This will give a good idea of the costs, benefits, and reliability of each installation. Your local Carrier expert will help you install a new heat-pump by properly sizing it and arranging it for maximum performance. They can assess the particular heating and cooling requirements of your space, as as the size and condition of your ductwork. This allows them to select the right heat pump for your needs and budget. In addition to ensuring the heat pump is of the correct size for your home In addition, an HVAC professional can advise you on how to upgrade your home to increase its energy efficiency. This will help you achieve even more energy savings from your new system. For instance, enhancing your insulation and fixing air leaks can help your heat pump run more throughout winter, permitting it to draw in air from the colder outdoors. Maintenance Similar to your car, heat pumps need a regular tune-up to ensure optimal performance. Two visits to the maintenance center per year, one in spring and one in the fall, will make your system function properly during heating season. If your heat pump isn't working properly will likely need to use more energy to achieve the same level of comfort as a well-maintained system, which will result in higher utility costs each month. There are a number of household maintenance tasks to boost the efficiency of your heating system and extend its life. For instance cleaning your air filter monthly (or replacing filters that are reused) can improve the quality of your indoor air and keep the heat pump running less frequently to circulate the same amount of air. Keeping outdoor units clear of leaves, debris and other wildlife can also help prevent obstructions to airflow and boost the efficiency of your heat pump. Another easy maintenance tip to remember is to inspect your heat pump for tripped circuit breakers or fuses and blown fuses, which could be caused by an electrical overload or ignition problem that requires expert attention. Additionally, it's essential to check your thermostat regularly to make sure that it is operating at the right temperature and not sending the system into overdrive. If you hear strange noises emanating from your heat pump it could be an indication of a blocked air duct or dirty fan that requires professional help. It is also a good idea to clean your evaporator coils, which can reduce dust accumulation and increase airflow. Finaly, ensure that the condensate drainage area is free of debris to prevent blockages, leaks and fire hazards. The cost of maintenance and repairs depend on the kind of system you own and how old it is and how easy it can be for a licensed technician to work on. Repairing smaller systems that only heat and cool one room is less costly than larger units which provide air conditioning for the whole house. The location of a heat pump in a crawlspace will also influence the cost of maintenance and repair.