February 1, 2022
There are many types of heating systems available for homes in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, so it’s no surprise that choosing your next home heating system can be overwhelming.
Based on our experience at Russell’s, homeowners often get stuck deciding between a furnace or a heat pump, so we’re here to help. Heat pumps offer many benefits for Virginia homeowners, especially compared with the high operating costs of furnaces. Read on to learn more.
How Do Heat Pumps Work?
Heat pump operation is distinctly different from furnaces because heat pumps don’t rely on combustion to create heat. Instead, they find existing heat outside (even in sub-zero temperatures!) and move it into your home via a refrigerant line that connects the outdoor condenser unit to the interior air handler. This is why heat pump efficiency is unmatched.
Did you know that heat pumps also serve as air conditioners? In the warmer months, heat pumps work the same way but in reverse, finding heat inside your home and transferring it outside, leaving you with a cool, comfortable environment.
Six Key Benefits of Heat Pumps:
1. Safer for Your Health and Home
Because they run on electricity, heat pumps offer few risks overall, especially when compared against the risks of a furnace. Furnaces rely on combustion to heat your home, meaning that the fuel they use must be flammable. With this comes the small but not unheard of risk of explosion, carbon monoxide leaks, and fires. When considering safety, homeowners often conclude that a heat pump is better than a furnace.
2. Lower Operating and Installation Costs
Heat pumps operate very efficiently, which means they use relatively little energy to achieve the same level of comfort in your home as a furnace. Heat pump costs are therefore pretty low on a month-to-month basis. Plus, Virginia homeowners can enjoy tax incentives and rebates of up to $1,000 on their heat pump installation because of their efficiency.
3. Quick Installation
Heat pumps, especially ductless mini split heat pumps, are quick to install when you’re working with a professional team. In fact, Russell’s technicians can install a ductless heat pump in as little as a few hours! This keeps labor and installation costs low and ensures that your home will be super comfortable fast thanks to your new heat pump system.
4. Improved Indoor Air Quality
Mini split heat pump air handlers are designed to filter the air in your home to achieve impressive indoor air quality. Even better, they require no ducts, meaning that you don’t have to worry about dusty ductwork contaminating the air your furnace had filtered.
In short: heat pumps are great news for all homeowners, but especially those who have or share their home with allergy-sufferers, people with asthma, or those with chronic lung conditions. Cleaner air means better breathing and a healthier family overall.
5. Better for the Environment
Because they don’t rely on natural gas as an energy source, heat pumps are much better for the environment than furnaces. Their efficiency is also a bonus for the environment, as it requires fewer resources to achieve the same degree of comfort in your home, and makes less of an impact on the earth.
6. Versatile Operation for Year-Round Use
Unlike furnaces, heat pumps offer heating and cooling as a result of their sophisticated operation. Heat pumps are designed to move heat, and the process is completely reversible! In the summer months, heat pumps can find heat inside your home and move it outside, leaving you with a cool and comfortable environment.
Russell’s Has You Covered for All Your HVAC Services!
No matter what your heating and cooling system needs, Russell’s is here to help with HVAC services. With over 45 years of experience, our expert team of HVAC professionals is here to help you find effective solutions that keep your home comfortable, efficient, and healthy.
