Heat Pumps seem to be an ideal solution for home heating and
cooling in common Arizona households. There can be a number of factors that
make it a popular choice in the state. Some of these may include:
- It works just perfect in not-so-cold region.
- It can heat as well as cool an area, making it ideal for Arizona which has a longer warm climate than a cold one.
- It is generally less expensive than many other types of home heating system.
- Installation cost may be slightly higher, but you are likely to save on energy bills.
- It is generally regarded as a great alternative to a gas-based furnace in areas where natural gas is no so commonly available.
- Heat pumps have now become environment friendly as most products in the market come with refrigerants other than Freon – the notorious hydrochlorofluorocarbon responsible for depletion of the ozone layer.
How does a Heat Pump Work?
A heat pump does exactly the opposite of what an
air-conditioner or refrigeration does. This means it can easily be used as a
cooling device also. In either case, the work of a heat pump revolves around
moving heat from one place to another. When you need heat, it can pull heat
from outside the house (even if there is cold outside) and push it inside the
walls, making your house warm.
Just change its mode to let it work differently in summer.
It can pull excess heat from inside the room and push it outside the walls,
keeping your room cool and fresh. One advantage with a heat pump is that you
don’t need separate ductworks to heat or cool your house. This can be a
tremendous saving, and is one of the many reasons of its popularity in Arizona.
What to Look for When Buying a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps are available in wide variety and in diverse
range of price bands. Your budget and actually need will play a crucial role in
selecting a particular product. Some guidelines in this regard may include the
following:
- Check for the energy star designation. You may qualify for a tax credit.
- Know about your product. Ensure that you are buying an environment-friendly product. Don’t buy anything that uses Freon.
- Choose a product with higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). The former is an index to measure the cooling efficiency of an air-conditioner while the latter is used to measure the heating efficiency of a heat pump.
- Size is also important. As a general guideline, a heat pump with a one ton capacity is sufficient for an area of about 400 square feet.