A heat pump is essentially an air conditioner with a reversible refrigeration cycle — that is, when heating mode is engaged, it draws heat from the outdoors and pumps it indoors. We at Air Quality Heating & Air Conditioning are often asked whether heat pumps will still provide enough heat in the middle of winter, and in today’s post, we provide an answer.
How Do Heat Pumps Generate Heat?
First, let’s discuss how heat pumps generate heat. As we mentioned above, the primary source of heat is the outdoors: it absorbs the heat from the air, transports it through the refrigerant, and expels it through the indoor unit. Some heat pumps are equipped to absorb heat from the ground or nearby bodies of water, transporting it into your home the same way. Even when it feels cool outside, there’s still enough to continuously heat your home.
It is true that heat pumps become less efficient as outdoor temperatures drop. But this doesn’t mean the heat pump will stop working — thanks to its auxiliary heating source. You’ve probably noticed an “aux heat” setting on your thermostat, which is automatically engaged when the heat pump senses that the heat from the outdoors is not enough. The auxiliary heating system is located in the air handler — the part of heating and air conditioning systems that houses the blowers — and functions like electric space heaters. Since it uses heating coils, it’s more efficient than a boiler or furnace, but not as efficient as pumping heat from the outdoors.
How To Get the Most Out of Your Heat Pump
There are a few things that you can do to get the most heating out of your heat pump:
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Keep vents and registers unobstructed by furniture and curtains to ensure proper airflow.
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Since heat naturally rises, warm air tends to settle at the ceiling. Run the ceiling fan in a clockwise direction to create a downward draft and circulate the heat in the room.
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Regularly check the air filters in the HVAC system’s air handler, and replace them when full. In mini-split systems, the air filters are washable rather than replaceable.
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Program your thermostat so it has lower heating output when you sleep and when the house is unoccupied.
Call Air Quality for Your Heating Needs
If you need help with your heat pump, give our team at Air Quality Heating & Air Conditioning a call at (408) 920-3910. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We offer high-performance Carrier heating and cooling systems to communities in San Jose and the surrounding areas.