Cooperative Living September 2017 - 28

EnergySense | by Pat Keegan and Brad Thiessen, Contributing Writers
The Benefits of Air-Source Heat Pumps
D
Heating and cooling account for the largest part of our household energy use.
ear Pat: It looks like we'll be
needing to replace our furnace
soon, and we're wondering if a
heat pump would help us save some
money. Do you have any suggestions?
―Jonathon
Dear Jonathon: Your question is an
excellent one, since for most of us,
heating and cooling account for the
largest part of our household energy use.
An electric air-source heat pump can
be a good alternative to a furnace system
that runs on propane or fuel oil. A heat
pump is also a cost-effective alternative
to electric-resistance heat that is used in
electric furnaces and in baseboard and
wall units.
HOW HEAT PUMPS WORK
In the summer, an air-source heat
pump acts as an air conditioner (AC)
that draws heat from your home's air
and transfers it outside. In the winter,
the system's direction is reversed so that
heat is pulled from the outside air and
moved into your home.
The heat pump has two major
components: the condenser (also
called the compressor) that circulates
refrigerant through the system; and
an air handler that distributes the
conditioned air. Most heat pumps
are split systems, with the condenser
located outside and the air handler
inside. A packaged system contains
both components in one unit that is
placed outside your home.
Heat pumps usually distribute the
hot or cold air through the duct system.
Ductless mini-splits, which can serve
as many as four rooms, will be covered
in next month's column.
In the past, heat pumps weren't
efficient enough to work in colder
climates. In recent years, however,
technology has advanced to make
them viable in climates with long
periods of sub-freezing temperature,
such as the Northeast U.S.
If your old furnace has an air
conditioner attached, replacing both
the heating and cooling system with
the all-in-one solution of a heat pump
might produce significant cost savings.
If you are currently cooling with
window units, or have an older
central-AC system, moving to an
air-source heat pump could reduce
your summer energy bills.
Heat pumps not only reduce energy
costs, they can also eliminate the risk
of carbon monoxide poisoning and
problems that can occur with on-site
storage of propane or heating oil.
Heat pumps must work harder to
extract heat as the outside temperature
drops. At some point the heat pump
switches to resistance mode, which
operates the same way a toaster or an
electric baseboard heater works. If
your area has very cold winters, you
should consider a dual-fuel system,
which utilizes a heat pump along
with a gas or propane furnace.
In the winter, the heat pump moves heat from outside through refrigerant lines into the home.
26 | Cooperative Living | September 2017
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Cooperative Living September 2017

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