While many of us here in Syracuse and the wider New York state are bracing ourselves for a heat-filled summer, it’s hard to deny the fact that we still need to be prepared for the winter months as well. Heating and cooling systems are a pretty big deal here, and it can be a real pain if ours ends up breaking down or something of the sort.
That’s part of why some folks have started to look into alternatives to the traditional styles of heating and cooling our homes. As you may have already guessed, one of the biggest ones that have started to gain some popularity is heating pumps. They’re pretty easy to get installed or purchased, so make sure to follow along if that’s something you’re interested in!
What are Heat Pumps?
Of course, our first order of business will be to define what these are in the first place. Put simply; they’re an upgrade from other types of HVAC units. You can find some examples here, https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-heat-pumps/how-a-heat-pump-works, if you’re curious.
To a certain extent, you can think of them as being similar to a refrigerator, just on a larger scale. They pull in the air temperatures circulating in their surroundings – whether that’s from geothermal sources or otherwise – and use that to either heat or cool our homes. It’s a bit complex and high-tech, so if you’re curious about some of these specifics, consider talking with an expert.
What Makes them Special?
With that description of them, you may still be wondering what makes heat pumps so appealing for folks here in Syracuse.
Well, for one thing, these systems are very energy efficient. Given everything that’s happening in the world, and the concerns about being eco-friendly, it’s no surprise that more and more people are looking to be more energy efficient in their electricity consumption.
Beyond that, though, they also can help us save money on our energy bills each month. That’s because of the fact that heat pumps use less power to do the same thing as traditional types of HVAC systems. So, just another thing that can make them quite appealing.
Can they Work in a Cold Climate?
Part of why some of us have been hesitant to explore the options available to us in relation to heat pumps is that there’s this assumption or rumor that they only work in warm areas. This just isn’t true, though. In fact, you can get Syracuse heat pumps and have them work just as efficiently as they would anywhere else.
When it gets extremely cold out, there can be a worry that a heat pump won’t end up providing enough warmth. Thankfully, though, this isn’t really something that we need to worry about. No matter the weather, you can count on them to be able to keep your home nice and toasty – or nice and cool!
Installation and Maintenance: is it Difficult?
Given the benefits that we’ve discussed so far, you may be thinking to yourself that these systems probably require a lot of upkeep to continue running efficiently. Additionally, they might seem like they would be difficult to install. Surprisingly enough, this isn’t really the case. Rather, they’re quite simple to install and to keep running smoothly.
Now, just like any other type of HVAC system, you should probably have a professional handle the installation itself.
After all, this type of machinery and equipment can be risky to handle if you aren’t familiar with them, and letting a contractor do the work for you is safer. It won’t cost too much, either, which is a big plus.
With maintenance, there’s not a whole lot that you have to do. Annual check-ins with your contractor can’t hurt, and that’s usually what is recommended for HVACs anyway. So, really, it shouldn’t be much different from what you’re used to. If you do end up noticing that something is wrong with it, though, you can always call in your contractor for help with that – so it’s not something to stress over.
Are They Worth the Money?
Perhaps the most difficult thing to answer here is this question – is it going to be worth it to buy a heat pump system to replace your old heating and cooling? Honestly, this will kind of depend on your own circumstances. That said, it’s hard to say that saving money on energy bills isn’t desirable, and in that sense, heat pumps are definitely worth the up-front cost.
Since they can basically pay for themselves with the power that they’re saving you, that’s one way to look at the situation. It’ll be up to you to decide if the splurge at the start is worth the savings you’ll get later, though, so don’t be afraid to ask about how this all works before you take the plunge.