When the heating and cooling systems in your home die, it can be incredibly frustrating attempting to find a replacement. Do you stick with the same old system or invest in something newer and more efficient? Some homeowners who’ve had to deal with the same problem have chosen to instead invest in a heat pump for their home.
But what is a heat pump, and is it right for your home? At Ridgeline Heating and Cooling, we want homeowners to make the most informed choice for their heating and cooling needs. If you are about to start the search for a new heating and cooling system and you would like to learn more about heat pumps, keep reading to see if it’s the right investment for you.
What is a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps are a system designed to transfer heat from one place to another, creating the perfect heating and cooling system for your home. During the warmer summer months, heat pumps pull warm air from inside your home, transferring it outdoors to keep your space cool. In the winter, they work to keep your warm air inside your home, keeping the bitter cold at bay.
Heat pumps are an incredibly popular choice among homeowners who want to add a more efficient and versatile HVAC system to their home. However, while they are becoming a more common home addition, they aren’t the right system for everyone, making it essential that you understand the pros and cons of adding them to your space.
Is a Heat Pump Right for Your Home?
When deciding whether a heat pump is right for your home, there are a few pros and cons you should consider before making this investment. If you have been considering making the leap but still aren’t sure if it’s right for your home, consider the following:
Pro: Heat Pumps are More Eco-Friendly
If you’ve been trying to take steps toward achieving a more eco-friendly home, investing in a heat pump for your home is a great way to start. When you install one in your home, you don’t have to rely on gas to warm or cool your home. In addition to making your home more eco-friendly, this lack of natural gas can protect you against potential carbon monoxide leaks, keeping you and your loved ones safe.
Con: They Can Cost More Upfront than Other Upgrades
Although investing in a heat pump is a great way to alleviate your reliance on fossil fuels, it can be an incredibly costly addition to your home. On average, a heat pump costs between $4,000 and $7,000 to install. If your current system isn’t in need of immediate replacement, this can be a far more costly investment to make in your home than you are currently prepared to make.
Pro: They Pair Well with Other Eco-Friendly Home Upgrades
If you’ve already made steps toward making your home more eco-friendly, a heat pump may pair perfectly with these additions. Homes that have solar panels installed on them can trust that these are capable of running your heat pump. With the combination of a heat pump and solar panels, you can trust that your home can be heated and cooled year-round for very little or no cost to you at all.
Con: They Might Be Noisier Than Current Systems
While heat pumps come with a variety of benefits, they are also known to have a few drawbacks. Some homeowners may find the system louder than their previous HVAC systems. This new noise can be difficult to deal with if your home was previously quiet. However, as irritating as it may initially be, you should only take a few weeks to adjust to this new change in noise within your home.
Pro: You Experience More Even Temperatures
Unlike heaters, heat pumps don’t produce extreme heat, which may lead to longer run cycles. While this might sound like a bad thing, it actually means that you should experience more consistent temperatures throughout your home. If you’ve previously dealt with temperatures in your home that vary too greatly for your liking, heat pumps might be the best way to get a more even temperature all day long.
Con: They Need to Defrost in Colder Weather
While heat pumps are capable of warming and cooling your home all year long, they may require some time to defrost when you’re experiencing extreme cold weather. While the system is defrosting, it may result in a pause in your heating schedule, which can be frustrating and may lead to higher operating costs.
Invest in HVAC Upgrades across Idaho Falls
Whether a heat pump is the right choice for your home can be a difficult decision to make on your own. If you’ve been on the fence about whether it is the best investment you can make for your home, it is best to speak to a trusted HVAC company, like our team at Ridgeline Heating and Cooling.
When you work with a reliable HVAC team like ours, you can trust that they can determine your current heating and cooling needs to determine if it is the best upgrade for your space. At Ridgeline Heating and Cooling, we guarantee that every suggestion we make for your home is being made with your best interest in mind.
If you would like to speak to an HVAC professional about adding a heat pump to your home or if you have any questions for our team, don’t hesitate to contact us today.