Heat Pumps

How a Heat Pump Works

An air-to-air heat pump is an efficient heating and cooling system that transfers heat between your home and the outside air. In winter, it extracts heat from the outdoor air (even in cold temperatures) and moves it indoors. In summer, it reverses the process, removing heat from your home to keep it cool. This is done using a refrigerant cycle, with key components including an outdoor unit (condenser) and an indoor unit (evaporator), connected by refrigerant lines.

Is a Heat Pump Right for My Home?

Switching to a heat pump can offer significant advantages, but it’s important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks:

Benefits:

Energy Efficiency: Heat pumps use less energy than traditional heating systems, lowering utility bills.
Year-Round Comfort: Provides both heating and cooling in one system.
Environmental Impact: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels, cutting your carbon footprint.
Quiet Operation: Modern units operate with minimal noise.

Drawbacks:

Upfront Cost: Installation can be more expensive than repairing an existing system.
Cold Climate Performance: Efficiency drops in extreme cold, though modern units are improving.
Space Requirements: Requires outdoor and indoor unit placement.

For many homes, we recommend installing a heat pump while keeping your existing heating system as a backup, especially in colder climates like Alaska. This hybrid approach ensures comfort and reliability year-round.

Considering a Fuel Switch?

If you’re thinking about moving away from oil, gas, or other fuels, a heat pump could be a smart choice. Explore how it fits into your region with our interactive Alaska map (coming soon):

Check back soon for our completed map, or contact us to discuss your options today!