Heat Pumps

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a device that transfers, or pumps, warm air from one location to another. In the winter, it extracts warm air from the ground or the outside air and then distributes it into the home. During the summer, it removes hot air from your home.

Heat pumps can be highly efficient, often transferring more energy than they use. Heat pumps run on electricity rather than natural gas, oil or propane, so there’s no reliance on fossil fuels. Air from a heat pump doesn’t feel as warm as that from a furnace, but it’s also not as dry. 

How is a Heat Pump Different from a Furnace and AC?

Here in Kansas, most home central heating and cooling systems consist of a furnace for generating warm air in the winter and an air conditioner for supplying cool air in the summer. A heat pump, on the other hand, can both heat and cool a home.

Heat pumps are best suited for mild climates where winter temperatures average around 30 – 40°F. Here in Kansas, winters can be bitterly cold, making it difficult for a heat pump to extract enough heat from outside to warm a home. A supplemental system can be added to generate heat on colder days; however, they use so much electricity that they may offset any energy savings heat pumps provide.

Another Option: Dual Fuel

A dual fuel system includes a heat pump plus a furnace. This type of system can automatically switch between the two heat sources, depending on the air temperature outside and the heating demands inside the home.