Heat Pump Pros and Cons

Heat pumps are an excellent, energy efficient way of heating and cooling your home. Rather than generating hot or cool air, it moves hot and cold air from one place to another to achieve the desired temperature. This system is ideal for most Christchurch homes. 

During the summer, your heat pump cools your home by extracting heat from inside your home and moving it outside. During winter, it does the opposite and draws heat from the outside air. This is achieved using refrigerant that circulates through heat exchanging coils by an electric pump and compressor. The process is similar to how a refrigerator works. 

People often wonder whether this process works during winter when there is seemingly no heat to extract from the air. While some heat pumps are less effective in extreme temperatures, there is always heat to extract from the air. To keep your heat pump running economically, it’s a good idea to keep it running at low temperatures of between 16ºC to 21ºC. To ensure you have the most effective heat pump for the Canterbury region that you live in, talk to The Heat Pump People and they can guide you to the most suitable solution.

Heat pumps have a number of great advantages:

● Reduced energy costs

● More efficient use of energy

● Instant heat and cooling

● Costs of heat pumps/air conditioners have lowered over recent years

Heat pumps do have some points to consider:

● The initial outlay is higher than say a fan heater (although the power consumption is far more efficient)

● Ducted systems do require roof space, which is not available in all homes

● Old heat pump units can be noisy and inefficient (new heat pumps are generally very quiet) 

● Wall space needs to be available for a single split high wall or floor console option

Many of the downsides can be mitigated by ensuring you choose the right heat pump model for your space and talking to The Heat Pump People at the beginning of your search or new house planning. The size and type of heat pump you require depends on the climate you live in, your ceiling height, how many windows there are and how big the space is that the heat pump needs to warm and cool.

Good quality heat pumps are capable of performing in cold Canterbury conditions and we are able to advise you which system will best suit your needs. Placement is another essential factor. The outside unit needs to get as much winter sun as possible and have access to good airflow. Plants and other debris around the outside unit will affect its ability to function optimally. 

The Heat Pump People are passionate about providing the finest in heat pumps and air conditioners to our clients. Our skilled technicians provide fully comprehensive servicing to a wide range of heat pumps throughout Christchurch. If you have any questions about custom heating and cooling solutions or about our services and how we can help you, feel free to contact us today. We are available on phone by 03 366 1823. Alternatively, you can reach us through our online contact form.