Why You Need A Heat Pump In South Florida

Have you ever wondered if there are environmentally friendly alternatives to air conditioning units, but worried that the South Florida heat would prove to be too hot? If so, you aren’t alone. At Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric we want to help you invest in the best ac services for your home, your wallet and your carbon footprint, which is why we’re giving you the run-down on heat pumps.

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a home device that works by moving hot air into or out of an environment. Heat pumps work using the idea that hot air will automatically move into colder areas. By using a small amount of energy, usually in the form of electricity, heat pumps are able to pull heat from a hot area and move it into a cooler area. In typically warm environments such as South Florida, this involves pulling hot air from inside a house and ejecting it into the outside environment.

I Already Live in a Hot Climate – Won’t a Heat Pump Make Me Hotter?

The simple answer to that is no, a heat pump won’t increase the temperature of your home. The name ‘heat pump’ frequently scares away Floridians. People who live in hot, humid environments rely on cooling devices such as air conditioners, and are often put off by the name ‘heat pump.’ But a heat pump is not the same as a room or wall heater – it won’t actually make your hot house hotter. The use of the word ‘heat’ in this context simply refers to the fact that heat is extracted or ‘pumped’ from one environment to another.

Is a Heat Pump Better Than an AC?

Environmentally speaking, a heat pump is a lot better than an AC. Although both air conditioning units and heat pumps contain refrigerants, the majority of heat pumps use ‘ozone friendly’ cooling options. Heat pumps also use significantly less refrigerant than similarly sized air conditioning devices, which means that smaller amounts of the artificial coolant will be put into the environment when your heat pump is no longer functional.

Heat pumps are also better for your wallet. As mentioned, heat pumps move heat from one place to another, rather than generating cool air or manually cooling hot air. Unlike typical HVAC units, heat pumps only require small amounts of energy to cool your home. Roughly 75% of the energy required for a heat pump to work comes from hot air, with only 25% coming from electrical power. This has a significant impact on overall electricity consumption, which in turn will decrease the amount of money you have to spend on utilities every month as well as your carbon footprint.

However, if you want to invest in a heat pump it will likely cost you more than an AC will upfront. In the short run, an AC is often cheaper, but in the long run a heat pump is both environmentally and economically friendly. Because heat pumps are large investments, it is important to have an accredited Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric technician come and properly install the device to ensure that you get the most out of your new heat pump.

Heat pumps are also better at dehumidifying air than normal AC systems, further decreasing the amount of energy required to cool your home during the hot Floridian year.

Although there are many different reasons as to why you should consider investing in a heat pump for your home, at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric we encourage all of our customers to get a professional opinion before making any big home temperature control decisions. Heat pumps are not necessarily the best option for every home, and are not always compatible with older houses. For any AC related queries, contact us at 1-800-475-1504.