Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling and are more efficient than traditional furnaces and air conditioners.
During the heating season, heat pumps move heat from outdoors into your house. Yes, there is plenty of “heat content” outdoors even when it feels cold out. During the cooling season, heat pumps move heat from your house to outdoors. Because they move heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide up to four times the amount of energy they consume.
Furnaces that burn a fuel (natural gas or fuel oil most commonly) to generate heat can never be more than 100% efficient in utilizing the energy content of the fuel. Today’s most efficient furnaces are capable of efficiencies around 96%. Heat pumps are more than 100% efficient because they use input energy (electricity) to MOVE heat not convert it.
The Seattle / Tacoma region has a climate ideally suited for heat pumps.
Heat pump technology is constantly improving and leading manufacturers are offering exciting new products. Carrier is introducing new inverter technology, which will provide nearly linear heating, much like gas or electric heat, down to approximately 5 degrees! The result will be total home heating with the new heat pump well below the typical 30-35 degrees of traditional heat pumps. The energy savings should be dramatic! The Lennox SunSource™ option integrates solar power by using solar panels, which provide power to assist the fan motor that moves air across the outdoor coil, a critical component in any home comfort system. Even on days with limited sun exposure, the Lennox SunSource™ takes advantage of the available solar resources and reduces energy usage.
Our local experts are available to help with a full range of home performance needs ranging from furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, tankless hot water, and indoor air quality to emergency generators and fireplace inserts.
