What is a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps are the most versatile, hardest working appliances in the world of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
They cool your home during scorching summers here in Texas and keep you comfortable in winter with toasty heat. They can take the chilly edge off a fall night and provide refreshing, cool air on warm spring days.
Heat pumps adjust to all seasonal temperatures we experience here in Round Rock. They are the perfect choice for anyone who prefers a single unit versus separate heating and cooling equipment in their home. Heat pumps work with or without ductwork, an option that is unavailable with forced-air furnaces.
Are you wondering if a heat pump is a good choice for your home? At AiRCO Mechanical, our qualified professionals are happy to recommend a heating system that fits your lifestyle and budget. We replace, repair, install, and maintain all kinds of HVAC equipment, including heat pumps.
How Does a Heat Pump Work?
An air-source heat pump and central air conditioner are similar. Both cool your Round Rock home by transferring heat from indoor air to outdoors. However, the heat pump also reverses operation to absorb heat from the outdoor air and transfer it indoors. Most heat pumps run on electricity and consist of the same components as air conditioners, such as a compressor, condenser, fan, evaporator, and refrigerant.
A heat pump, like an air conditioner, has an outdoor unit and an indoor air handler.
Most Popular Heat Pump
Air-source heat pumps transfer heat to and from the air. Heat pumps can produce up to three times more heat than the electrical energy they use, and high-efficiency units control humidity better than air conditioning, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Air-source heat pumps can deliver conditioned air through ductwork or via individual air handlers mounted on the walls or ceilings in rooms throughout your home. The ductless version is called a mini split system. Each room or zone with an air handler has a thermostat, making comfort control more precise.
Our AiRCO Mechanical pros can help you choose an air-source heat pump that will deliver energy efficiency, comfort, and convenience for your Round Rock home.
Geothermal
Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat from underground or from water sources, such as a lake. They can cut energy use in half compared to air-source heat pumps because they rely on consistent underground temperatures. Air temperatures can swing from extreme heat to cold.
Geothermal heat pumps cost more than air-source heat pumps, and their installation is more complicated because soil composition, underground utilities, backyard layout, and other factors come into play.
High-Efficiency Heat Pumps
Heat Pumps have come a long way since your grandparents’ day. Improvements in technology now make it possible to use a heat pump as your sole heating system, even in subzero temperatures. Previous air-source heat pumps often were paired with a furnace because they lost efficiency in cold climates.
Today’s units operate with single-stage, two-stage, or variable capacity heating and cooling, just like forced-air furnaces.
Two-stage means the compressor has high and low operating levels. The unit saves on energy and electricity bills by running at the lower position most of the time. It kicks into the higher stage when temperatures are extremely high or low. A variable stage unit can adjust heating and cooling output in minute increments.
AiRCO Mechanical works with Lennox to bring you the best in heat pump efficiency and comfort features. Some units easily pair with solar roof panels or a gas-driven furnace. They offer corrosion-resistant components, noise-dampening technology, and compatibility with a smart thermostat.
Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) measures the heating efficiency of heat pumps, and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rates cooling efficiency. In 2023, new DOE standards will require a minimum HSPF of 8.8 and a SEER minimum of 15 in southern states. Lennox high-efficiency heat pumps already outpace those standards with ratings of 9-10 HSPF and up to 23.5 SEER.
Call the Heat Pump Experts
A heat pump will keep your Round Rock, TX, home comfortable year-round. Let AiRCO Mechanical recommend the best model for your budget and lifestyle. Call us at 512.537.1234 or request service online.