Until I moved south, I’d never heard of an electric heat pump.
- When my husband and I toured homes for sale, the majority of potential properties were equipped with heat pumps.
The real estate agent provided this information like it was a big selling point. We had no idea what she was talking about. I looked up heat pumps and learned that they are a two-in-one unit. They are more expensive to purchase and install than conventional alternatives because they combine both heating and cooling. Having a single unit handle year round temperature control frees up space and reduces maintenance requirements. Plus, heat pumps are especially energy efficient and environmentally friendly. During the summer, the system operates almost exactly like a traditional air conditioner, using refrigerant to pull heat out of the home and convey it outdoors. When the outside weather cools off, the system reverses the flow of refrigerant. It takes advantage of ambient heat available in the outdoor air and delivers it indoors. Eliminating the combustion of fossil fuels avoids concerns with carbon monoxide, fumes and greenhouse gasses. My husband and I ended up purchasing a home outfitted with a heat pump. We are extremely happy with how quiet, clean and effective the system is. It keeps our utility bills reasonable. Because I want the heat pump to operate reliably and last as long as possible, I am diligent about scheduling maintenance for the equipment twice per year. I schedule a licensed HVAC technician to troubleshoot, clean and adjust the components in both the spring and the fall.