If you are using traditional air conditioning systems or combustion-based systems and you are facing problems in this regard, then you must learn about what is a heat pump and how it is beneficial for you, not only now but in future as well. Let us learn in detail about heat pumps to let you understand the concepts, its benefits and its drawbacks as well.
What is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is a heating and cooling system that works on a simple and basic principle of refrigerator. It absorbs heat from outside source and transfers it inside the house or building to make it hot or cold. A heat pump is becoming very famous day by day. It is now preferred by many people as compared to traditional fuel-based systems.
Types of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are divided into three basic types depending upon the functionality and features. These types are:
- Air source heat pumps
- Ground source heat pumps
- Hybrid heat pumps
Advantages and Disadvantages of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps have many advantages that are making it popular among consumers. There are also some drawbacks of heat pumps that cannot be ignored. A list of advantages and disadvantages of heat pumps is given in the following sections to enhance your knowledge about heat pumps.
Advantages of Heat Pumps
- Less Running Cost
One of the very important advantages of a heat pump is that it has a very low running cost. A heat pump helps you to save a lot of money on electricity bills. As compared to heat pumps, traditional combustion-based systems consume lots of energy resulting in higher utility bills. Heat pumps solve this problem for you. They consume less energy to operate and function thus resulting in reduced energy bills.
- Less Maintenance Cost
Heat pumps have a very less maintenance cost. This is also a very big advantage of heat pumps. A heat pump only needs servicing after every 3 to 5 years. A checkup is also recommended once in a year. However, if you keep some regular checks on the cleaning of filters etc, then you can save a lot of money on maintenance cost.
- Works on Both Heat and cold Modes
This is considered to be the winning advantage of a heat pump over conventional air conditioners or fuel-based systems. Heat pumps can provide you both heating and cooling according to your requirements.
- Less Carbon Emissions
Combustion based systems use fuel to operate and function. This becomes the reason of releasing carbon emission in the atmosphere that is considered very harmful and causes air pollution. In case of a heat pump, it operates on electricity. However, it consumes very less amount of electricity which reduces the carbon emissions to a minimal level. Therefore, heat pumps are considered more eco-friendly option.
- Long Life duration
Heat pumps are designed in a way that they serve you with efficiency and effectiveness for up to 50 years. However, the average life duration of a heat pump is between 15 to 20 years.
Disadvantages of Heat Pumps
- High Initial Cost
One of the biggest disadvantages of a heat pump is that its initial cost is very high. For example, if you opt for an air source heat pump, then you have to make lots of arrangements inside and outside of your building before the installation. These arrangements increase the initial cost.
- Complex Installation
The installation process of a heat pump is complex and difficult as compared to the traditional air conditioners or fuel-based systems. For example, if you are installing an air source heat pump, you first have to make your space fully insulated. Similarly, in case of a ground source heat pump, lots of ground digging and excavation is involved.
- Performance Deficiency in Cold Weather Conditions
If we specifically talk about to the installation of air source heat pump, its efficiency and performance decreases when the temperature drops below 0 centigrade. The reason is that air source heat pumps absorb heat from the outside environment and transfer it indoors. When the temperature drops outside, then it becomes very difficult for the air source heat pump to work properly. Therefore, the performance level of an air source drops in colder climates where temperature drops below 0 centigrade in winters.
- Special Permit Requirements
It happens in some regions of the world that before installing a heat pump, you have to take special permissions from the local authorities. For example, an air source heat pump is very noisy. Therefore, if you are going to install one at your property, you first have to inform the local authorities to check if it does not collide with any of their rules. Similarly, in case of a ground source heat pump, you have to excavate and do grinding of the ground. This can also involve something against some local authority rules. Therefore, you should always inform the local authorities that you are going to get a heat pump.
Final Wrap Up
The above article has highlighted many advantages and disadvantages of heat pumps for your knowledge. You can now easily compare the heat pumps with conventional heating or cooling systems and analyze which will work better for you?
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