Are you considering employing an HVAC contractor to install a heat pump at your home in Chandler, AZ? Heat pumps, known for their cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and efficiency, are a popular choice for 25% of households in the state, as per a 2020 study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. At Emergency Air Heating Cooling & Plumbing, we assist homeowners in finding the best HVAC options. If you’re in the market for a heat pump, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to select the right type for your home.

What Is a Heat Pump?

If you’re not familiar with how heat pumps operate, you might be curious about how this system can both heat and cool your home. Despite its name, a heat pump functions more like a two-way air conditioner. When it’s hot outside, the pump extracts heat from your home and moves it outside. It reverses this process during the winter, bringing warm air into your home.

How Do Heat Pumps Use Less Energy?

With the cost of living rising across the board, homeowners continue looking for ways to reduce their household expenses. One way to do this is by installing a heating and cooling system that doesn’t generate heat using electric coils or fuel sources. According to information provided by the United States Department of Energy, heat pumps use nearly 50% less electricity than electric furnaces and baseboard heating.

The reason heat pumps use less energy has to do with how they heat and cool the home. Unlike central air conditioning systems or electric or gas furnaces, heat pumps don’t generate anything. They heat and cool the home using the transfer method, removing heat from the home to cool it and bringing heat in to warm it.

Types of Heat Pump Systems

As you begin researching heat pumps, you’ll discover more than one kind exists:

  • Ducted air-source heat pumps
  • Mini-split heat pumps
  • Geothermal heat pumps
  • Absorption heat pumps

Below, you’ll learn more about how each of these pumps operates and their pros and cons.

Ducted Air-source Heat Pumps (ASHP)

HVAC technicians refer to these heat pumps as air-to-air heat pumps. They move treated air throughout your home using ductwork and vents. All heat transfer happens without using refrigerants. Here are the pros and cons of ASHPs:

Pros:

  • Environmental friendliness
  • Better dehumidification
  • Zero fuel combustion
  • Less electrical usage

Cons:

  • Ductwork is required
  • Produces less heat than combustion HVAC systems

Mini-split Air-Source Heat Pumps

A mini-split system, sometimes called a ductless air-source heat pump, uses refrigerants to transfer heat inside and outside the home. However, unlike ducted systems, they don’t require ductwork to move heated or cooled air through the home.

Mini-split systems have an outdoor condenser and an indoor handler, similar to a central air conditioning system. The difference between a mini-split and a central AC system is the number of indoor units. Since the mini-split doesn’t require ductwork, each room in the house requires its own indoor unit. You might recognize a mini-split system in homes by the handler heads installed near the ceiling. Here are the pros and cons of the mini-split option:

Pros:

  • Ideal for home additions
  • Great for homes without ductwork
  • Remote technology (some models)
  • Zoned heating and cooling

Cons:

  • Whole-house temperature control requires multiple indoor units
  • The more indoor units needed, the higher the installation costs

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Unlike air-source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps transfer heat from a ground or water source. These pumps take advantage of constant underground temperatures or at the water’s surface. Depending on the type of geothermal heat pump, refrigerants or water transfer the heat between pipes buried below the earth’s freeze line or at the bottom of a pond or other water source to the house and vice versa. Check out the pros and cons of geothermal heat pumps:

Pros:

  • Extremely low operating costs
  • Minimal maintenance
  • Exceptional longevity

Cons:

  • Expensive to purchase and install
  • Requires a body of water on property or substantial land
  • Lack of qualified installers

Before moving on to the final heat pump option, it is important to note that because of the technology involved in the installation process, finding qualified installers can prove difficult. Do your research before hiring HVAC companies to install or repair these systems.

Absorption Heat Pumps

This type of heat pump is considered an air-source heat pump. However, geothermal-heated water, natural gas, propane, or solar heat transfers heat instead of using electricity. Most absorption heat pumps are gas absorption heat pumps and use natural gas. These heat pumps work best in homes without electricity, but they prove an unreliable source for homes that rely on electricity.

Benefits of a Heat Pump System

Whether you’ve decided to replace a malfunctioning furnace or install a brand-new HVAC system, it’s worth giving a heat pump system a closer look. Households using heat pump systems enjoy cleaner energy, minimal noise, decreased utility costs, and customizable solutions.

Yes, installing a heat pump will cost more than a traditional HVAC system. The upfront costs could make heat pump installation unaffordable for some people. However, if you can swing the upfront costs, you’ll enjoy incredible savings over the system’s lifetime.

At Emergency Air Heating Cooling & Plumbing, we want to make heat pump installation as accessible as possible. That’s why we encourage you to explore local government subsidies and utility rebate programs. These can significantly reduce the upfront costs of a heat pump installation. For instance, you might qualify for government programs like the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act (HEERA), which offers federal rebates of up to $14,000. This reassurance can help alleviate any concerns you may have about the initial investment.

You might also qualify for financing offers, which allow you to install the heat pump system now and pay down the cost with tax rebates or other subsidies you qualify for.

Heat Pump Installation in Chandler

Are you ready to learn more about heat pumps? The experts at Emergency Air Heating Cooling & Plumbing prioritize your comfort. We know not all heating and cooling solutions work for every home or budget. When you’re ready to replace your existing HVAC system, our team works with you to determine the best system to bring you the ultimate comfort. In addition to heat pumps, we also repair and install traditional HVAC systems.

We know most HVAC companies promise outstanding quality and service but don’t follow through — we do! With more than 20 years of providing Chandler residents and the surrounding areas with quality service and over 800 5-star Google reviews, you can trust our team of experts to make you a top priority. Our customers also love our up-front pricing, no hidden fees, and no overtime charges.

We also respect your time and show up when we say we’ll be there. That’s one of the many customer service promises we stand behind — always! To learn more about heat pumps in Chandler, call us at Emergency Air Heating Cooling & Plumbing today!

company icon