Every Big Bear homeowner is looking for ways to save money yet surprisingly few have considered adding a heat pump to their home. Heat pumps heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer. Though you will certainly have to spend some money to purchase a heat pump, a Big Bear Heat Pump Installation will pay for itself in the form of energy savings as time progresses. In fact, the most efficient heat pump will save you $4,818 over the course of its lifetime.
In this article, we will discuss the five ways heat pumps will save you money in Big Bear and answer a few frequently asked questions about these pumps.
1. A Heat Pump Will Cut Your Heating/Cooling Costs by a Third
Install a heat pump in Big Bear and you will likely pay one-third less in heating and cooling costs. There is no reason to alter your usage habits or preferred temperature to enjoy this level of savings. Heat pumps are designed to pull heat from the ground or air and send it indoors for improved comfort. This amazing machine saves homeowners a considerable amount of money as it moves heat as opposed to generating heat. Make the switch and you will notice a meaningful difference in your energy bill right away.
2. Heat Pumps Heat And Cool Living Spaces
There is a common misconception that heat pumps merely heat homes. Heat pumps heat and cool living spaces throughout the entirety of the year. Install a heat pump at your home and you will enjoy a cozy warm living space in the winter and a cool indoor environment in the summer. Heat pumps are designed to extract hot air from indoor spaces in the summer months to keep homes cool and comfy. It does not get any more convenient than that, especially if you do not have air conditioning in your home. This heating and cooling technology essentially serve the purpose of a furnace and an air conditioner, providing the merits of both systems for significantly less money. Even if you have a window air conditioner or two, you will find the use of a heat pump reduces your energy costs by a meaningful margin.
3. Heat Pumps Require Comparably Less Maintenance
Give a heat pump a chance and you will find it requires significantly less attention, repairs and maintenance than traditional heating and cooling systems. Once your heat pump is installed, you can rest easy knowing it will function without flaw. All you have to do is lean on the heat pump aficionados to perform maintenance once per year.
Traditional furnaces and air conditioning systems may only require annual or biannual maintenance, but they tend to have a lot more issues because they have more working parts. Between the condensers, the heating and cooling units, ducting and piping, and all the other working components, it can be a lot to keep up with a traditional HVAC system. A heat pump is simpler and more efficient, and much easier to maintain.
4. Heat Pumps Stand the Test of Time
Plenty of furnaces start to break down after the 10-year mark. Opt for a heat pump and it will likely last upwards of two full decades. As long as you have a professional HVAC technician perform yearly maintenance on your home’s heat pump, it should serve you well for at least 15 years.
As technology continues to improve, the odds are good that the lifespan of these devices will continue to increase. If you have it installed professionally and it comes with a warranty, your heat pump should be something that you enjoy for a very long time. You’ll save a fortune on maintenance, repair, and replacement costs over the years when you opt to switch to heat pumps.
5. Today’s Heat Pumps are Cheaper Than Those of Yesteryear
If you priced heat pumps a decade or two ago and were scared away by the upfront cost, you should know things have changed. Today’s heat pumps are affordable for just about every homeowner. Though heat pumps are more expensive than some other home heating/cooling solutions, the reduction in energy costs in the ensuing months, years and decades will save you a bundle of money. Modern heat pumps are upwards of three times more efficient than those made a couple of decades ago.
All sorts of heat pump technology improvements have been made ranging from enhancements to the coil design, the use of uber-efficient copper tubing, the addition of variable speed blowers, the implementation of expansion valves and beyond. So don’t be scared away by the initial cost of a heat pump. Spend for this home heating and cooling solution and you will enjoy reliable heating/cooling at an incredibly affordable monthly rate for the next couple of decades.
FAQ About Heat Pumps
1. What is the Downside to a Heat Pump?
Older heat pumps tend to freeze in extremely cold temperatures. Also, depending on the heat pump model you get, its efficiency level may not be as great in certain freezing temperatures. However, in California, heat pumps are generally a good choice since temperatures never really get that cold.
2. What Kind of Maintenance Do Heat Pumps Require?
One of the reasons heat pumps will save you money is that they require far less maintenance than a furnace. Furnaces require yearly inspections to ensure they are in proper working order. In contrast, heat pumps require a tune-up only about every three to five years.
When heat pump maintenance technicians come through to inspect your heat pump, you can expect them to follow a checklist of similar items like these:
- Inspect ducts, filters, and coils for any dirt or damage
- Check air ducts for leaks and seal them, if needed
- Ensure refrigerant fluids are refilled
- Ensure that refrigerant fluids are not leaking
- Inspect the pump for signs of wear and tear
- Clean the drain line
- Test the thermostat for proper operation
This list can be longer or shorter, depending on the frequency of your maintenance visits from your local technicians. Remember, maintenance is key to a reliable heat pump.
3. How Long Does a Heat Pump Last?
Heat pumps last 15-20 years, depending on the manufacturer and maintenance it receives over the course of his life. This durability allows you to live in your home comfortably with peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to worry about replacing the heat pump for a long time.
4. Is it Okay to Run My Heat Pump All Day?
This depends on your budget for energy costs. Though heat pumps are very efficient, running them all day will still waste energy, costing you more on bills. Also, running it more than required will wear the heat pump out faster. We recommend using the heat pump when you need it. Turn it off when everyone is out of the house and prevent extra energy waste.
5. Will a Heat Pump Work at 25 Degrees Fahrenheit?
Heat pumps work less efficiently when outside weather drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Luckily, the weather in Big Bear doesn’t drop that low very often.
6. Do Heat Pumps Create a lot of Noise?
In general, heat pumps operate quieter than other heating systems. If you hear any weird noises like loud metal banging, vibrations, rattling noises, grinding, or buzzing, you may need to have a technician inspect it for possible repairs.
7. Do Heat Pumps Require Any Cleaning
Part of the maintenance routine of heat pumps is ensuring that they are clean. Heat pumps have filters that catch a lot of dirt, debris, or dust. You may have a blocked heat pump filter if these things are not cleared out. This will decrease the amount of airflow you get into the house. Dirty heat pump filters also decrease the efficiency of your filter and cause it to break down faster.
8. What Are Some of the Most Common Heat Pump Manufacturers?
Below are some of the most common heat pump manufacturers. Remember that your technician will help you choose the one that is right for you before installation.
- Lennox
- Carrier Infinity
- Daikin
- Rheem
- York Affinity
- Trane
- Armstrong
Each manufacturer carries its own features, benefits, and disadvantages. Before purchasing one for your home, you will need to consider the pros and cons of all the heat pumps you review. This purchase is a very long-term investment that you will need to be happy with for many, many years to come.
9. Can a heat pump really heat my entire home?
Heat pumps come in several different sizes and configurations. Therefore, as long as you work with a professional installer to size your system correctly, it will heat the entire home (or business) with ease. Make sure that you talk to your installer about location, size, and other factors before you even move forward with choosing a unit. In California, using a heat pump to heat an entire home is totally possible since the temperatures are generally warmer.
10. Do I have to remove the old heating system from the home?
Heat pumps can work on their own or alongside existing systems. Therefore, you do not have to remove your old heat system in its entirety if you are going to use a heat pump. Your installer will likely remove the boiler and other parts of your old furnace if you are installing a sole heat pump system, but it’s not required.
11. Is a heat pump just for heating?
These high-efficiency systems can perform the same work as five different home appliances. Heat pumps work as heaters, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, air filters, and even to help circulate air, replacing the work of ceiling fans. What you have your heat pump installed to do is going to depend on your needs, but these versatile units are popular because they make it easy to do it all.
Contact Bear Valley For A Free Quote on a New Heat Pump Installation Today
Are you looking for a new home heating solution? Our Big Bear Heat Pump Installation Company is here to keep you comfy while minimizing your home heating/cooling costs. Give us a call at (909) 675-0983 to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment.
Original article revised on Dec 27, 2022
Related Content: Is Heat Pump an Efficient Way to Cool Your California Home?
If you are looking for a Big Bear plumbing, heating & air conditioning contractor, please call (909) 584-4376 or complete our online request form.
Category: Air Conditioning
