What is a heat pump?

A heat pump is a central air HVAC system designed to cool a space when in cooling mode and heat a space through “reverse cycle” in heating mode. As the name suggests, it “pumps” or moves air around rather than generating air. So why do homeowners love heat pumps?

There are two main reasons:

First, heat pumps are the complete package. In a single unit, you have the ability to heat your home during the colder seasons and cool your home during the warmer seasons. We’ll explain how heat pumps work later.

Second, heat pump systems are highly energy efficient by design. In most situations, a heat pump uses less energy than the amount of heat they deliver to your home, which makes them more efficient than most HVAC systems.

Let’s take a closer look at a heat pump’s pros and cons.

Pros of a heat pump

High energy efficiency

Using a heat pump instead of burning natural gas has been known to cut down on utility bills and save energy. Although heat pumps rely on electricity to work, their heating mechanism is what makes them so efficient. Pumping the heat (moving air around) uses less electricity compared to electric heaters, which generate heat by using a heating coil to convert the air.
Because electric heat pumps use only electricity, it reduces the need to have access to natural gas or keep a propane tank. They also do a great job of evenly distributing warmth or cool air throughout the entire home, so there are no hot or cold spots and everyone is comfortable all year round.

Lower energy bills

Homes that function primarily on electricity have enjoyed lower utility bills with a heat pump for decades. Since they use less electricity, heat pumps are generally cheaper to run and twice more efficient than electric furnaces and, in some situations, gas furnaces.

Year-round heating and cooling

If you’re looking for one system to handle all of your heating and cooling needs, heat pumps are the clear winner. A heat pump is essentially two systems in one: an air conditioner in the summer and a furnace in the winter. As we mentioned earlier, during the cold, heat pumps will extract warmth from the air outside and evenly distribute it into your home.
If it’s cold outside, how would that work? That’s the kicker. Even when the temperature is 33° F, there is actually still heat in the air that is usable. But, as you might have guessed, the potential issue comes when the temperature goes below a certain level. More on that later.

During the summer, a heat pump functions just like an air conditioner, albeit more efficiently. Both HVAC systems move heat and moisture out of your living areas and pump it back outside.

When deciding between an AC unit and a heat pump, they’re pretty evenly matched as far as cooling goes. Other factors such as price, maintenance, location, climate, and lifespan will ultimately help you choose the right system for your needs.

Qualify for tax rebates

Our local Washington utilities offer rebates for heat pumps because of the real energy savings they provide.

Environmentally-friendly

The heat pump is also one of the ‘greenest’ ways to heat and cool your home because it is powered by renewable electricity. This all-in-one feature provides an economical source of heat (the air, it’s free!) and uses much less energy in the process.

Heat pump systems don’t use flammable gasses, so there is no risk of gas forest fires or leaking carbon monoxide.
Combining heat pumps with solar panels can also make your home self-sufficient and eco-friendly.

Better air quality

Heat pumps are better dehumidifiers than normal air conditioners because these systems typically have a larger coil that conditions and dehumidifies more air than an air conditioning system.

All of these pros make heat pumps seem like a real catch! And for many homeowners, they are. However, there are some disadvantages to heat pumps.

Cons of a heat pump

Less effective in colder climates

Heat pumps tend to be somewhat ineffective in any climate where the outdoor air temperature drops near or below freezing on a regular basis.

As soon as the outside temperature falls below 25-30° F, a heat pump becomes a sitting duck vulnerable to the fancies of the surrounding cold weather. This is because moving warm air from a very cold area to a hotter one takes more energy than moving heat between two areas with a more moderate temperature difference. And it’s why heat pumps are better suited for areas with moderate climates (yes, like the PNW).

It’s important to note that even in a cold climate, there’s still heat in the outside air to be pumped indoors, but the unit needs to work harder to extract the available heat. Backup energy, such as a furnace, may be required to make the heat pump produce enough warmth to comfortably heat your home when the temperature falls below freezing.

While low efficiency in colder climates has been the case for heat pumps in the past, it might soon be ancient history. Today, modern multi-stage heat pumps are available with the ability to withstand lower temperatures down to 0° F.

Susceptible to power outages

Because heat pumps rely solely on electricity, if your location experiences a power outage, your heat pump will also go down. A common solution is having a generator ready to go.

Less intense heat

The heat produced by heat pumps isn’t as intense as the heat produced by a gas or oil-burning furnace. Some people used to traditional furnaces are uncomfortable with the milder heat produced by these systems.

Other people prefer the warmth produced by heat pumps because they distribute heat evenly throughout the house which means no cold spots.

Higher upfront costs

Heat pump installation base prices can be more expensive upfront with an average cost between $3,874 to $10,000. However, it’s less costly when compared to installing home heating and cooling products separately.

For instance, getting a gas or electric furnace and an air conditioning system will be much more costly than most types of heat pumps.

Is a heat pump worth it in Washington?

What it boils down to is what available resources, climate and utilities your home has in your specific location. For instance, if your home primarily uses electricity and doesn’t have any natural gas, a heat pump will double the efficiency of an electric furnace. This will mean you save money, have less maintenance and lower operating costs. However, suppose you live in a climate that experiences below-freezing temperatures regularly. In that case, a gas or electric furnace may suit you better.

Trying to decide between an AC unit and a heat pump? Read the next blog: AC vs Heat Pump: The Cooling Battle!