Heat Pumps versus Central Heating Systems – Which One is Right for You?

If you are building a new home or simply updating the heating and air conditioning system in the one you have, there are many options on the table for you. Central heating and air conditions are one choice, then there are individual air conditioning units, portable heaters, and of course, heat pumps. Most people want a unit that offers temperature control in all of their rooms, which leaves central systems and heat pumps as the most likely options. But which one is the best choice? The real answer to that question is that there is no answer. The decision between central heating and cooling systems and heat pumps comes down to several factors, and there is no one right choice for everyone. Here are some pros and cons of each kind of system to weigh up before you make your decision about which kind of system to get. First up, heat pumps: the most attractive thing about Myrtle Beach heat pumps for many people is the cost. Heat pumps offer heating and cooling in one single unit, which means that not only do you only have to shell out for one single unit when it comes time to purchase the system but you only have to maintain one single unit over the life of its use, so the overall operating costs are lower. Likewise, heat pumps cost less to operate on a daily basis. Heat pumps work with the existing heat in the air, so there is no artificial heating or cooling of the air was with central heating systems. Your electric bills will be lower, and the impact on the environment is less as well. There are some downsides to heat pumps, however. They are not for people who live in places with temperature extremes. Most experts recommend that people who live in environments with temperatures that frequently go below 40 degrees in the winter or over 85 degrees in the summer. Because the heat pump can only work by drawing heat out of the air in the winter and pulling it out of your home in the summer, it can’t work hard enough to keep up with those temperature extremes. If you live someplace with temperature extremes, then a central heating and cooling system is the right choice for you. It can keep up effectively with the temperature extremes and will keep you more comfortable. The downside to central systems is that they are more expensive. You need a separate heating and cooling unit, which means a bigger cost upfront and higher maintenance cost over the life of the system. Because central systems artificially heat and cool the air, they are more expensive to run on a daily basis.

You have to evaluate your individual needs before deciding which system is right for you. Then give Grand Strand Heating And Cooling a call for a quote on installing your heating system or heat pump.

Grand Strand Heating And Cooling Acme Contractors Myrtle Beach, SC 843-491-6400 http://hvacmyrtlebeach.com/

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How Heat Pumps Help You Stay Warm

In the Myrtle Beach area, a heat pump is one of the crucial parts of your home’s HVAC system.  The heat pump is responsible for the transference of heat and is an integral part of your air conditioning system as well.  Think of it this way, without a heat pump your air conditioning unit would simply be a very expensive fan and the systems that keep your home at a comfortable temperature in the winter would fail. You would have to rely on sweaters, blankets and comforters. Over the past few decades, Myrtle Beach heat pump technology has come a long way.  If you have a home that is more than fifteen years old, it may be time to start researching which heat pump is right for you. Is there one type of heat pump that is the best? Surprisingly, the answer is no.  Think of your heat pump as you would any other major appliance in your home.  As a consumer there are several factors you need to take into consideration and which type of heat pump technology will work best for you.  Be careful to evaluate efficiency and cost preferences and to take into consideration the size of your home and your location as it relates to the local climate.  In most cases, you will want to seek the advice of an HVAC specialist before making your final decision. Here is a brief overview today’s of heat pump technology. The major heat pump technologies can be broken into three groups: air source pumps, ground source pumps, and absorption pumps. One of the primary advantages of the air source pump is a long-standing record for a steady performance.  This technology has been around for years and works on a simple process which harnesses heat from the outdoors in the winter months and from the inside heat in the summer months.  When this heat pump is properly configured, it is a high efficiency system and can be very economical in a warmer climate like Myrtle Beach.  This solution is not suitable for those living in cooler areas. A ground source heat pump retains its heat from the earth and thus the significance of the name.  This technology is also referred to as geothermal.  The ground source for the pump uses manually drilled holes that go deep into the ground for natural warmth.  Although this is not the least expensive alternative, it is the most cost effective over the long haul. Absorption heat pumps are actually a subset of air source heat pumps.  This technology is dependent on an alternative fuel source, other than electricity, to operate.  Like the air source, absorption heat pumps draw the head from outdoor and indoor air sources. Luckily, heat pumps as a general rule last a long time.  If they are properly serviced, the average heat pump should last between fifteen and twenty years.  When the time comes to replace your heat pump, be sure and call on your local heating and cooling specialists. Proper maintenance is the key to saving the expense of replacing your heat pump.  The fall of the year is a great time to have your heat pump checked and services.  Give a reliable HVAC contractor a call to schedule your service before the winter months are in full swing.

Grand Strand Heating And Cooling are your HVAC and heat pump experts. Call us anytime you need help with your unit.

Grand Strand Heating And Cooling Acme Contractors Myrtle Beach, SC 843-491-6400 http://hvacmyrtlebeach.com/

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Can a Heat Pump Save You Money?

The cost of heating and cooling a home can be extreme. In many cases, the cost can be downright prohibitive and many families end up having to go cold in the winter because the bills are just too expensive. Whether your heating is electric based or you have a gas furnace system, energy costs in general have gone through the roof in recent years and paying these bills has never been more difficult. Some people believe that the solution to soaring energy costs is a heat pump system. Heat pumps generally cost less to operate than other types of HVAC systems, so many people believe they are the way to go. But is it true? Can a heat pump really help you keep more money in your pocket every month when it comes to your energy bill? First, let’s consider how heat pumps work and why they are less expensive. In the beginning, a heat pump cost less to install then a central heating and cooling service. Heat pumps heat and cool with a single unit, while central heating and central cooling are each a separate unit. Clearly, purchasing and installing one unit rather than two saves money. During the operating life of the system, heat pumps also cost less because there is less equipment to maintain. The real savings come into play when you consider how a heat pump works. When you have a central heating system, that system takes air, then uses gas or electricity to warm that air, then expels it into your home. The same holds true for a central air system. The air is cooled through some method that requires the expenditure of energy, and then it is pumped into your home, cooling the temperate by adding cool air to the air already in your home. Heat pumps, on the other hand, work with the heat that is naturally present in the air. Although you may not be able to feel it, there is hot air constantly present in the environment, even on the coldest of days. Heat pumps take that warm air from the outside and pump it into your home. There is no artificial heating process, so there is less energy expenditure. In the summer, the heat pump takes the hot air that is inside your home and funnels it outside, cooling the air inside by removing the heat from it rather than cooling the air artificially. In these ways, a heat pump can reduce your energy expenditure – on average, a few hundred dollars per year. However, this only holds true if you live in a moderate temperature zone like Myrtle Beach. Otherwise, a heat pump will not provide adequate heating and cooling. Heat pumps can save money for people in the right climate. Otherwise, switching to a heat pump is a false economy. The best way to determine of a heat pump is right for you is to call a HVAC professional.

Call Grand Strand Heating And Cooling whether you are considering a heat pump or need heat pump maintenance.

Grand Strand Heating And Cooling Acme Contractors Myrtle Beach, SC 843-491-6400 http://www.hvacmyrtlebeach.com/

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