Here in East Windsor, NJ, our weather ranges to the extremes sometimes. One way homeowners choose to remain comfortable all year long regardless of the temperature outside is with a heat pump. Call Conway Comfort Heating & Cooling to find out how you can benefit from a heat pump and why it might be the best solution for your home.
Don’t allow a failing heater to leave you and your family uncomfortable all winter. Check out our heater repairs and see how we can help.
Heat Pump Basics
Many people know about heat pumps but aren’t sure how they work or why they would need one. A heat pump transfers heat from one area to another, unlike a furnace, which creates heat. Heat pumps absorb heat energy from the outside air and transfer it indoors. Then, when you want cold air, the heat pump works in reverse by absorbing heat from inside and transferring outside. To know whether a heat pump is right for your home, contact the experts at Conway Comfort Heating & Cooling today for a consultation.
Heat Pump vs. Furnace: Which Is Best?
Both the furnace and heat pump provide heat to your home, but they work in different ways. So, which one is right for your East Windsor, NJ, home? Let’s look at the pros and cons of each.
- Cost to Install: Most often, it’s cheaper to install a gas furnace than a heat pump. However, if your home also requires cooling, you’ll want to pair the furnace with an air conditioner, while a heat pump performs both tasks.
- Energy Efficiency: Heat pumps are more energy-efficient than furnaces because it’s easier to transfer heat rather than producing it the way furnaces do. In the best conditions, the heat pump can transfer 300 percent more energy than it consumes, while a high-efficiency gas furnace is only about 90 percent efficient.
- Quality of Air: Heat pumps don’t burn fuel, so they don’t produce any harmful emissions. If you’re someone who has concerns for the environment, the heat pump is ‘greener’ than most heaters and furnaces.
- Comfort: One advantage the gas furnace has over the heat pump is that it produces hot and toasty heat. While heat pumps don’t provide air as hot as the average furnace, they still do an admirable job of heating your home; however, some people prefer a hotter heat source.
- Lifespan: In the best cases, the average gas furnace lasts longer than the heat pump. Gas furnaces, when properly maintained, can last up to 20 years, while a heat pump usually lasts about 15 years. Also, the gas furnace has fewer moving parts, which means there are fewer things that can malfunction.
When you need quick, reliable heater installation, call the trusted experts at Conway Comfort Heating & Cooling.
How to Maintain Your Heat Pump?
Heat pumps are versatile and efficient because they provide both cooling and heating in one unit. However, to ensure your heat pump lasts as long as possible, you must perform routine maintenance.
- During winter, check the heat pump for snow and ice buildup, so it doesn’t restrict airflow.
- Trim back shrubs and foliage at least 18 inches away from the heat pump on all sides.
- Clean or change the filters every month.
- If the outdoor coils get dirty, clean them.
- Call a heat pump repair service and ask about their maintenance service.