In the ever-growing range of hardware devices for your home, heat pumps never fail to leave an impression. With its energy-efficient and cost-saving design, these devices have become an extremely popular option for homeowners. Drawing from the air outside, heat pumps have the ability to heat and cool your home with a resource that’s freely available. While warm temperatures are an important factor, advancing technology now means that these devices are becoming more and more functional in colder climates.
This week, our blog debunks some of the common myths surrounding these phenomenal devices. In doing so, we prove that not only can heat pumps create energy bills savings almost immediately but also create a home worth living in.
1. Heat pumps can only heat your home
The word ‘heat’ in heat pump can often be misleading.
Heat pumps are part of the HVAC family - Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning technology. This means that they often perform three distinct functions; heating your home, cooling it, as well as powering up your hot water system.
These devices therefore combine the functions of three separate, complex, and expensive amenities in your home and bring it under the control of a single, more energy-efficient system. Homeowners not just cut down on hassle, therefore, but also on significant cost. In addition, a home’s design and appearance is also improved with the absence of multiple bulky devices in numerous locations.
2. Heat pumps are expensive
For many, the purchase and installations costs are a source of disenchantment of these devices.
While it’s easy to get deterred by these start-up costs, many often overlook the long-term saving capabilities the device promises. Not only are these costs repaid over the lifetime of your HVAC system but they also eliminate the need to install additional cooling devices. The heat pump thereby replaces the cost of purchasing, installing, and maintaining a separate cooling and hot water system.
Further, in many countries including Australia, governments now offer incentives for the purchase of these products, lowering your overall cost even further.
3. They’re difficult to maintain
While certain devices such as ground source pumps require a certain amount of effort during installation, these devices are known to require little maintenance thereafter.
Heat pumps come with filters and and scrubbers that prevent the development of fungus and bacteria. Its internal fan also ensures the device remains dry, eliminating any further mould or bacterial growth. Further, given that these don’t run on flammable fuels, they’re also much safer compared to conventional heating systems.
It is, however, recommended that your device is checked by an expert once every two years. Ground source heat pumps must also be checked for cracks or perforations that can lead to leakage.
4. Heat pumps are noisy
This criticism is more fitting for the heat pumps of times past.
Modern technology has now allowed for the production of significant noise reduction in HVAC systems, with the noise generated akin to that produced by your home’s refrigerator. This is due to the pump’s fan, which pulls air through the system. If installed properly, it is unlikely that you will hear any of its whirrings while you’re inside your home.
5. These systems don’t work in colder climates
There’s no doubt that heat pumps, in general, perform better in warm climates. It would, however, be false to assume that they are not functional in colder weather.
Over the years, leading manufacturers have created devices that come equipped with an inverter which improves overall performance. Another factor is that certain types of products such as the ground source pumps are more suited to colder climates. Here, the piping is buried so far underground that cold climates have little effect on it.
Thus, even if you don’t live in the ideal environment, this is not a reason that should prevent you from investing in a heat pump.
6. The devices are huge money wasters
A number of studies have now shown that HVAC systems such as these can save you up to
30% on energy bills.
While most of this is owing to its energy-efficient design, a home’s insulation is another factor the plays a role. In addition to this, whether a home utilises underfloor heating technologies or radiators also makes an impact on just how much of cost is cut down on.
Therefore, if additional steps are taken to make your property more energy-efficient, it becomes much easier to make exponential savings with your heat pump.
Key Takeaways
Heat pumps are leaders in the home hardware industry. Beyond its impressive heating and cooling features, this type of technology has become renowned for its energy-efficient and cost-saving capabilities.
By discovering the true power and functionality behind these devices, make smarter choices for your wallet and your home.
