HEAT-PUMPS "R" US
Can heat-pumps really save you money with your Tampa Air Conditioner?

They can if they are installed properly and sized right for your home. There are a few different types of heating methods that we have to choose from here in Florida. Many American homes are heated with a forced-air furnace usually fueled by natural gas. In our state we can use heat-pumps and be adequately heated with out having to refinance our homes. Heat-pumps are a simple and relatively cost effective way to have air-conditioning and heat when we need it.

How does a heat-pump work? A heat-pump condenser absorbs heat from the outdoor air (even very cold air contains some heat) and transfers it to an indoor heat exchanger inside the home. Indoor air is warmed in the heat exchanger and circulated throughout the home. During the summer, the process is reversed to cool and dehumidify the home.

It does make sense to have a system that can handle both the heating and cooling with out being concerned with oil or natural gas in addition to electrical components. Electric heat-pumps are usually supplemented by another source of heat for unusually cold weather or extreme drops in temperature. Generally electric heat strips are installed for emergency heat here in Florida.

Heat-pumps range in different levels of efficiency to meet your needs and you may also qualify for a rebate from your local electric company. This is one of the few appliances that can really help you save money on your heating and cooling bills and keep you comfortable too. Energy savings with heat-pumps.

Here are some tips to achieve maximum efficiency and care for you heat-pump or condensing unit. Outdoor units should be protected from high winds, which can cause defrosting problems. You can strategically place a bush or a fence upwind the coils to block the unit from high winds. Proper operation will also help save energy. Do not set back the heat-pumps thermostat if it causes the emergency/supplementary heat to come on. Set your thermostat so that the heat-pump is doing the work, back-up heating systems are usually more expensive to operate.

Also continuous fan operation can degrade the heat-pump performance unless a high Efficiency, variable speed motor is being used. Leave your stat set on “auto” during winter and summer. As with all heating and cooling systems maintenance is key to performance and efficient operation. Clean filters at least monthly or more often if needed. Dirty filters, coils and fans reduce airflow through the system. Reduced air- flow can be costly for you energy wise and also can cause your compressor to work hard or fail. Clean and lubricate the fan motor as part of a regular maintenance program prescribed by your HVAC contractor.

You can definitely save money with a new heat-pump. Especially if it has a high efficiency rating and you perform maintenance. Keeping your thermostat set at a reasonable temperature will also help. As always I hope that some of these tips will help you sort out issues of the mechanical nature. For a free quote to replace your HVAC system to a high efficiency system give us a call. We are also happy to give you a free second opinion if you are unsure of the advice of another mechanic regarding your Tampa Air Conditioner.

As always feel free to contact us with any questions you may have

Written by: John Kursch, Air-o-Force1.

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