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Benefits of a Heat Pump in Your KC Home

benefits of a heat pump

Kansas City temperatures are known to fluctuate, sometimes even drastically, depending on the time of year. Those with central heating and cooling systems may want to supplement their home with a heat pump, or they may decide that it’s a better controlled-air system for them.

Whatever you decide for your home, there are both benefits and disadvantages to installing a heat pump. Cates Heating and Cooling can install and repair heat pumps in the Kansas City area so your family can be prepared when extreme heat or brittle cold comes around.

Take a look at our pros and cons for purchasing a heat pump.

What Is a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps, or ductless air systems, are highly effective at both heating and cooling your home. In this way, they can function as both a furnace and an air conditioner. In the summer, the heat pump takes the hot air from your home and pushes it outside, whereas in the winter, it does the opposite by pushing warm air in.

The heat pump appliance has two major components: a wall cassette and a condenser unit. The wall cassette is mounted somewhere inside your home, while the air condenser unit sits outside your home. Both of these components are connected by a refrigerant line.

You may be wondering, “how does a heat pump work?” Well, a heat pump system uses both components mentioned above to control the air in your home. The appliance itself uses a combination of electricity and refrigeration technology to heat or cool, depending on what season it is.

When used in the wintertime, a heat pump will extract warm air from outside and transfer it into the refrigeration coolant. When the coolant is compressed, it causes the temperature to increase significantly. The warm coolant then moves through the refrigerant line to the indoor wall cassette, where air passes over it to make it hotter. The hot air is then released into your home.

In the summertime, this process is reversed. Heat is transferred out of your house, and cool air is returned to the inside.

Although heat pumps can be used in any climate, they are perfect for regions with a temperate climate where excessive heating or cooling is not always necessary. Otherwise, if you live in a place like Kansas City that experiences more extreme weather conditions, a heat pump is a perfect supplement to your home’s HVAC system.

Benefits of a Heat Pump

There are many benefits to having a heat pump system in your home. Since a heat pump provides both heating and cooling, it’s a great investment for any season and offers many advantages.

Energy Efficiency

A well-maintained heat pump is far more energy-efficient than a gas or propane furnace. You’ll be able to take advantage of lower energy bills throughout the summer and winter because it efficiently heats and cools.

With a heat pump, electricity is only used to power the compressor, the two fans—the evaporator and condenser fans—and the pump that moves air in and out. Heat pumps can provide at least three units or more of heat for every unit of electricity it uses. With efficiency rates as high as 300%, you’re sure to save money year-round.

Emergency Heating Element

For areas where temperatures fall far below freezing, your heat pump may need a little extra help heating your home. Fortunately, if your heat pump fails, it usually has an auxiliary or emergency heating element that takes over.

If you’re using a heat pump to supplement your gas furnace, your furnace is there if the heat pump fails.

No Humidifier Necessary

One of the main problems people experience with gas furnaces is that they tend to dramatically dry out the air in their home. To solve this issue, many homeowners invest in humidifiers to create extra moisture.

Because heat pumps are powered by electricity, they don’t dry out the air at all, and your need for a humidifier is eliminated.

Reduced Noise

Furnace noise can be a hassle, especially if it starts to interrupt your day-to-day activity. Heat pumps are a lot quiet than other types of heating systems, mainly because the compressor is outside of your home.

Disadvantages of Heat Pumps

Unfortunately, there are also some disadvantages to having a heat pump in your home. In extremely cold weather, a heat pump may struggle to extract a sufficient amount of heat from outside to make your home comfortable. That’s why it’s best suited for temperate climates or in homes that already have an HVAC system installed.

If your heat pump works harder to control your home’s temperature, it uses more energy with less output of quality air. This decreases efficiency rates and will increase your energy bill.

The other disadvantage is the upfront costs of purchasing and installing. Heat pumps can be pretty expensive, especially if you want more than one in your home. Many customers find that the long-term energy savings outweigh the initial expense, but you might have to fork over more money at the beginning than you initially wanted.

Our expert technicians at Cates Heating and Cooling can install or repair any heat pump in your home. We even offer financing options, so your home is prepared for the season ahead. Contact us today at 913-888-4470 for Kansas residents and 816-944-1844 for Missouri residents.

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