Do Heat Pumps Really Work In Cold Weather?
If you’re thinking about updating your Kent heating system before Winter officially starts, then you’ve probably heard about heat pumps. For those who are not as familiar with this revolutionary technology, heat pumps are versatile and energy-saving systems that are capable of providing both heating and cooling to your home or business.
Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one place to another. With the help of an internal refrigerant, a heat pump will remove the hot air that’s inside and push it outside when it starts to get too warm. This heat transfer process leaves the cooler air behind, keeping the internal temperature comfortable and cool. To heat the inside of your home, this process is reversed. The heat pump will extract warm air from the outside and release it inside to provide more heat. But how does the process work when the weather outside is cold or below freezing? Is a heat pump still an effective and efficient heating solution?
While it’s a common misconception that heat pumps aren’t as effective in colder climates, the improvements that have been made with heat pump technology over the last few years have only improved the majority of heat pump models and their cold weather capabilities. In fact, Consumer Reports states that heat pumps are actually much more energy-efficient than traditional heating and cooling systems, even in the coldest parts of the world. Even though colder weather outside means that your heat pump will have to work harder to keep your home cozy and warm, if you have the right heat pump and it’s been installed properly, it’ll still be more efficient than a traditional furnace or boiler.
Compared to other parts of the country, the temperature in Kent, WA doesn’t drop below freezing that often, but if you don’t have sufficient heat, then you’ll definitely feel it. The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships or NEEP are a non-profit organization that works across the 12 states and the District of Columbia that comprise the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region. They’ve put together a list of heat pumps that have been found to perform well in colder weather and this list would be an excellent starting point for anyone concerned about finding the best heat pump system this season.
If you’re still unsure about whether a heat pump is the right heating solution for your home, then feel free to call Green City Heating and Air Conditioning. Our heating experts are skilled, reliable, and extremely knowledgeable about heat pumps and other systems. We’ll help you find a low maintenance and highly efficient heat pump that will regulate your home’s temperature in any season. Call us today at (206) 201-0835 an get your heat pump estimate!
