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The fact that heat pumps are a relatively new technology compared to other HVAC equipment means that many people don’t know or fully understand much about them. Unfortunately, many myths and misconceptions about heat pumps persist, and people often assume that these appliances are not a good choice for their home or won’t work well in their climate.
In this article, we’ll explore the real truth behind some of the most common of these myths to help you understand why installing heat pumps can be such a fantastic choice.
1. Heat Pumps Don’t Work Well in the Cold
There used to be some truth to the idea that heat pumps weren’t a great option for staying warm in colder weather. When heat pumps were first introduced, they were primarily intended for places with warm winters. Most units could heat well enough and were most energy efficient in temperatures around 40 degrees. Once the temperature dropped below freezing, they often could not provide enough heat or heat quickly enough to keep a house from being too cold.
Nowadays, heat pump technology has advanced so much that the majority of units can keep a house fully warm even when the temperature outside is below zero. Some units can even continue producing heat until the temperature gets to under -20 degrees or so. The heat that a heat pump can capture from outside and bring into the house is lower in colder weather.
Nonetheless, as long you do not turn your heat down too low and then back up, a heat pump should not have any issues maintaining the correct temperature in your home and keeping you comfortable. Many heat pump systems also have electric heat strips installed inside the house that provide an additional heat source when needed.
2. Heat Pumps Aren’t as Efficient as Other Types of Heating
This one might just be the biggest myth about heat pumps. The fact is that all other types of electric heating like baseboard heaters or electric furnaces can never be more than 100% efficient. The electricity they use flows through resistance coils and is directly converted to heat. Gas furnaces can’t even achieve this efficiency, with the absolute best condensing furnaces being only around 98% efficient. With a conventional furnace, you can only achieve an efficiency rating of around 80-85%.
Heat pumps, on the other hand, are typically at least 300% to 400% efficient when heating under normal conditions. You can expect the energy efficiency of a heat pump to drop a bit in frigid weather, but even then a heat pump will still work far more efficiently than all other options. Superior efficiency is one of the main driving factors behind so many people switching to heat pumps since it results in a significant drop in winter heating bills.
3. Heat Pumps Don’t Cool as Well as ACs
In addition to providing the most efficient type of heating, the other thing that sets heat pumps apart from traditional HVAC units is that some models can provide air conditioning as well. Nonetheless, one concern that many people have, especially people who live in places with hot, humid summers like Dallas, is that heat pumps don’t cool all that effectively. This is yet another major misconception.
The truth is that a heat pump functions just like any other type of air conditioning when running in cooling mode. That means there’s absolutely no difference in the amount of cooling you’ll get from a heat pump or a standard central AC. Both systems use refrigerant to pull heat out of the air inside the house and disperse that heat into the air outside. As long as your heat pump is properly maintained and the correct size for your house, it should have no problems keeping your house completely cool on even the hottest, most humid summer days.
Many new heat pumps include variable-refrigerant flow technology that allows them to continually adjust their speed and how much cooling (or heating) they provide. This allows the heat pump to constantly keep the temperature in the house where you want it while limiting the amount of electricity it uses.
If you opt for this type of heat pump, it would cool even more effectively than a standard central AC and keep your electricity bills much lower. Variable-speed heat pumps are also much quieter and typically have a longer lifespan.
4. Heat Pumps Cost Much More
Not long ago, you could often expect to pay nearly double for a heat pump compared to what a new AC or furnace would cost. As heat pump technology has advanced over the years, manufacturers have developed more effective processes and the costs have come down. A quality heat pump will still typically cost a bit more than an AC or a furnace, but nothing near what you’d pay for both an AC and a furnace.
If you install a high-efficiency, ENERGY STAR-rated heat pump, you’ll also automatically be eligible to claim up to a $2,000 credit on your federal income taxes. ENERGY STAR furnaces and ACs, on the other hand, are only eligible for up to a $600 credit. Your electricity provider may also offer a rebate or incentive if you replace a gas furnace with a heat pump.
5. Heat Pumps Don’t Last Very Long
This is yet another thing that used to be much truer in the past than it is nowadays. It is true that traditional HVAC units sometimes have a bit longer lifespan than heat pumps do. If you have a central AC or a furnace, it will only get used during the summer or winter whereas a heat pump gets lots of use during both seasons.
The increased use is why you may only get 10 to 12 years of life out of a heat pump compared to the average 15-year life expectancy for an AC or a furnace. Nonetheless, even if you had to replace your heat pump every 10 years or so, you’d still pay less in the end than you would if you had to replace both an AC and a furnace every 15 years.
The other thing to note when it comes to life expectancy is that it is hugely dependent on keeping the HVAC system properly maintained and promptly repairing any problems as soon as they arise. No matter whether it’s a heat pump or any other heating or cooling equipment, you’re never going to get as many years of life out of it if you don’t have a professional HVAC company maintain and inspect it every year.
With 50 years of experience serving Garland and the DFW area, On Time Experts is the company to count for air conditioning service along with all your heating and plumbing needs. We’re the area’s heat pump experts and are always ready to help when you need repairs, maintenance or a new installation. Our team can work on all types of HVAC equipment from all brands and will make sure that your heating or cooling remains in perfect condition.
If you’re in the market for a new heat pump, we carry quality units from only the most reputable brands. We also have financing options for new installations available on approved credit. To get help choosing the best heat pump for your home, contact us today.
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