Dave Lennox Signature® Collection XP19 Heat Pump

Heat pumps are attractive to many homeowners in Virginia because of their energy efficiency.

If you’ve ever considered installing a heat pump in your home, there are some things to consider. First of all, heat pumps can be very efficient and save you a lot on your utility bill whenever the temperatures outside are not extremely hot or extremely cold.

Why “maybe?” Because it can depend on where you live and what type of weather you have. Simply put, heat pumps work best in mild to moderate climates, similar to Richmond, Virginia. If the temperature regularly falls below freezing, a  heat pump would not be a good choice.

Heat pumps work by MOVING heat, NOT generating heat. They move heat from outside your home inside – either from the air or from the ground.  So, if the outside air is below freezing, it takes a lot more energy to warm a cold house – and they lose their efficiency. You will need a back-up energy source, either electric or gas, to make up the difference.

Also, heat pumps warm the house differently from traditional heat sources in that the air flowing out of the vents in not very hot. It blows out sort of tepid. Some folks like this because they say this warms the house more evenly and you don’t have hot spots and cold spots.

People who are used to gas heat usually say they don’t like the initial cold air.  They are used to really warm, toasty air blowing out of the vents – and most heat pumps don’t work like that. With a heat pump, you can’t go stand over the vent when the heater turns on and experience that wonderful sensation of warm air  warming your frozen feet. 

There are new hybrid heat systems which utilize a heat pump when outdoor temperatures are above freezing, but are also equipped with a heating unit for those sub-freezing winter temperatures. This balances the energy efficiency of the heat pump with the need to stay warm when it’s really cold.  At the colder temperatures, gas or electric heating is more efficient than a normal heat pump – and toasty air roars out of those vents.  So you get the best of both worlds. The heat pump keeps the house comfortable most of the time, but when the temperature drops – the heating unit kicks on and warms the house. 

To find out more about heat pumps and about which system is right for your home, call your heat pump specialists at 804.323.0189. Many units qualify for tax credits when you replace your old unit with a new Energy Star rated system.  The professionals at Marshall Mechanical will help you choose the right system for comfort, energy savings, and your budget.