A heat pump is a crucial component of any HVAC system, and it plays an essential role in regulating the temperature inside your home in Edwardsville, IL. Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one location to another, and they can both cool and heat a home. However, their efficiency can be affected if the temperature becomes too low. Here we want to look more into heat pumps and how the temperature outside can play a large part in their overall efficiency.
How Heat Pumps Work
To understand the answer to this question, we need to delve deeper into how a heat pump operates. A heat pump functions by extracting heat from the air outside your Edwardsville, IL home and moving it into your home to heat it. When you need to cool your home, the process is reversed and the heat from inside your home will be pushed out.
Factors Affecting Heat Pump Efficiency
Heat pumps are designed to operate in cold temperatures however, their efficiency decreases as the temperature drops outside. In regions with milder winters, a heat pump may be the primary source of heat for a home. However, in regions with harsh winters, a heat pump may not be sufficient to provide enough heat, and you will have to rely on a backup heating system. The efficiency of the unit is also affected by other factors such as the age of the unit, the size of the home, and the quality of installation. In order to ensure that your unit continues to run at maximum efficiency, you will not only need to watch the temperature outside, but also keep up with regular maintenance.
The Balance Point and Having Backup Heating
The balance point is the outdoor temperature at which the heat pump can no longer heat your home properly without having to use access energy, costing you more on your utility bill. At that point, it is more efficient to rely on a backup heating system. You can have your HVAC system configured in a way that will kick on your backup heating once the temperature outside becomes too cold for your unit to continue operating efficiently.
If you live in Edwardsville, IL, and have any more questions about heat pump efficiency or are looking to have your unit serviced, give our team of professional HVAC technicians over at B&W Heating and Cooling a call today.
