Heat pumps are based on the principle of a fridge in reverse, whereby heat is extracted from a low-temperature source and moved to a higher temperature using a compressor. Typically this will be done three or four times before the heat is dissipated outside. They work much better when temperatures at either end of the refrigeration cycle are lower – thus, they’re most efficient during winter when your home will benefit from warm air being pumped back into it at no cost.

If you’d like to know whether you could save money by installing one, use our guide to determine their heating costs. We regularly check reviews for all the latest models to advise on what’s best – see our Heat Pumps – Best Buys page for an idea of what’s on the market at the moment.

What are heat pumps?

Heat pumps work by moving heat from one place to another, typically absorbing it in some way and dumping it out elsewhere. They’re not all that complicated to understand when broken down into their constituent parts: you have a compressor, a cold side (air), and a hot side (the air from your heating system). You can then choose where you want that hot or cold air to go – the latter will be pushed into your home while the former is ejected outside. Heat pumps vary in size depending on your house size and how many rooms they can heat.

There are three main types of heat pumps, and the fourth is a more recent development in technology; however, logistics and cost prohibit it from taking off on a large scale due to its complexity. Unless your house is very well insulated (min R100), then they won’t save you money over traditional heating systems, so consider the following options before making any decisions:

Ground source heat pumps work very efficiently but require specialist installation, so they aren’t for DIY enthusiasts. They take advantage of the relatively constant temperature found underground to provide free-flowing warm water or heating back into your home. A network of pipes is buried between 6 and 8ft underground, with a tiny air vent at ground level acting as an indicator that this system is working. More efficient systems can pump water up to 180m away, but this distance will affect the overall efficiency of the unit so check before committing to any purchase.

If you already have radiators in your home but want an alternative solution, consider using underfloor electric heaters. They are straightforward to install and require low maintenance – unplug and move them from room to room as needed.

 

For more information, contact Vinny’s Jersey Plumbing, located in Wayne, New Jersey.  We also service other towns in New Jersey, such as West Orange, Livingston and Paramus.