What are the Different Types of Heating Systems and Heat Pumps?

What are the different types of heating systems that consumers find more beneficial? In most homes and businesses, they always seek the best ways to save money not just for a few months, but for years to come. It’s one of the most important considerations people think of when preparing for winter.

Heaters such as furnaces and boilers are the common choice of heating systems for many homes. They often want to look at heating maintenance services that not only caters to keeping every space in the house warm and comfortable, having a system you can rely on throughout the cold months is an ultimate plus.

Many will want to prevent issues like “Why is cold air blowing when the heat is on?” or “What is my heat not coming on?” These are problems everyone wants to avoid at all cost.

And this is why there are other ways of keeping the living spaces in your home warm and comfortable throughout the cold months. One of these is heat pumps.

What can a Heat Pump do for You?

A heat pump is not a new product or device. It is an electrical device that transfers heat from one place to another. According to Natural Resources Canada:

“Heat pumps transfer heat by circulating a substance called a refrigerant through a cycle of evaporation and condensation. A compressor pumps the refrigerant between two heat exchanger coils. In one coil, the refrigerant is evaporated at low pressure and absorbs heat from its surroundings. The refrigerant is then compressed en route to the other coil, where it condenses at high pressure. At this point, it releases the heat it absorbed earlier in the cycle.”

The best thing about this device is its reversible cycle wherein it can provide heating in winter and cooling in summer. Although heat pumps cost a little more than the conventional HVAC systems, it only needs a maintenance check once annually.

Heating System: Types of Heat Pumps

Heat pumps require electricity to successfully process the cycle of transferring heat from one space to somewhere else. And it comes in several types.

• Air Source – This works well in moderate or settled climate. The unit is normally installed to the side of the house or building, pulling in hot air from the outside then transferring heat through compression.
• Geothermal or Ground Source – The solar energy stored in the ground is utilized by planting heat pipes into the earth. This is more efficient than air sourced because the temperature in the ground is more constant and stable.
• Hybrid Array – A hybrid typically implies a heat pump working together with another heating system such a gas boiler or a furnace. It has a high level of efficiency and more advantageous for homeowners since there is no need to change the radiator when this is installed. Another hybrid is a combination of air and ground source heat pumps.

Furnaces vs. Heat Pumps

A heat pump is a good choice, but in certain conditions such as freezing temperatures or during a blizzard, a good old furnace can still do a better job at keeping the desired temperature. But this doesn’t mean that both systems can’t work together. A heat pump can serve as a backup in case the furnace fails or malfunctions.

In situations like these, be sure to know who to call for a home heating repair service. Don’t wait for the problem to worsen or get out of hand. You have the best 24 hour heating repair company just around the corner: Marthedal Solar, Air & Heating serves most of the San Joaquin Valley and provides satisfactory solutions in different communities in search of a better heating and AC service.

For more information on our HVAC service, check out our services page.