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Heat
Pumps misconceptions
concerning heat pumps are common place
When
it comes to home comfort, many homeowners know that heat pumps
are the most advanced, energy-efficient heating and cooling
systems they can purchase. However, there are just as many
homeowners who are badly misinformed about heat pumps and
their operation.
To
help ensure that you're not one of the latter, we offer the
following list of common heat pump misconceptions and their
realities:
Misconception
#1: Heat pumps are effective only in milder climates.
At
one time that may have been true, but not any more.
During
the seventies, when they first came into prominence, many heat
pumps were installed in the southern sections of the country.
The reason was that during the heating season, a heat pump's
efficiency increases on mild days and decreases on cold days.
The efficiency rating or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)
is therefore higher in a mild climate than in a region where
winters are severe.
Through
the years, however, improvements in design have broadened the
geographical range of heat pumps to almost every section of
the country.
Misconception
#2: The quality of heating from a heat pump is different from
that of other heating systems.
Not
in terms of the end result, which is a warm, comfortable home.
In
its heating mode, the temperature of the air supplied by a
heat pump is not as hot as the air supplied by a furnace. Air
entering a room from a heat pump is normally about 100 degrees
Fahrenheit compared to about 120 to 130 degrees F from a
furnace.
Thus,
a heat pump warms a room gradually and more uniformly than a
furnace. It's similar to slowly warming your bath water by
turning the hot water faucet to a moderately warm setting
rather than turning the faucet all the way to maximum hot and
then turning if off and having water cool down.
Misconception
#3: Heat pumps only heat your home.
Judging
by their name, you might think that's the case. However, heat
pumps got their name because they pump heat into your home in
winter and out of your home in summer. Thus, they function
like a furnace during the winter and a central air conditioner
during the summer. This ability to both heat and cool makes
them very economical and efficient home comfort systems.
Misconception
#4: Heat pumps are only meant for new homes.
Definitely
not. Heat pumps can also be installed in older, existing
homes, especially if they already have a forced-air heating
system, suitable ductwork and adequate insulation.
In
these cases, all that's required is the addition of an indoor
coil on the furnace, refrigerant lines and the proper
thermostat. In addition, heat pumps can work with any
forced-air heating system ... gas, oil, propane or electric.
If
you're still uncertain about heat pumps and their operation,
contact Corley Controls. We can help dispel any other
misconceptions you have and recommend the best system for you.
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Call
(704) 598-2677 today ...
to
have one of our professional technicians show you how we can
can improve the comfort in your home!
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here to schedule an appointment 
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HSPF Heating Seasonal Performance Factor:
This
rating is used in measuring the heating efficiency of a heat pump.
The higher the number the more efficient the heat pump system.
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