How Does a Heat Pump Work in the Winter

With the cost of gas increasing, gas alternatives for energy remain necessary for homes in America. Heat pumps can provide warmth for your home at a lower cost than a natural gas furnace. The mild and cool climate in Hickory, NC, provides the perfect environment to utilize a heat pump because it doesn't get drastically cold.

How does a heat pump work in winter? A heat pump can absorb any heat from the air outside, even in cold temperatures, to heat your home. 

For heat pump repair or new installation, trust Hickory's heat pump repair company to get the job done just when you need it. Call Hickory Heating & Cooling at (828) 618-4887 to learn more about heat pumps today.

Keep reading to learn more about heat pumps and how they can provide comfort to your home year-round.

What Is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump combines the air conditioning and heating functions into one system that creates the perfect temperate climate for you to live in and feel comfortable. 

Heat pumps don't generate heat like standard furnaces and heaters. Instead, heat pumps move already-warm air into your home in the winter. A standard heat pump has an exterior and indoor unit to provide heat that works together to heat or cool your home's interior. 

Air-source heat pumps use thermodynamics to take advantage of the free-flowing hot air outside, even in colder temperatures. Air-source and ground-source heat pumps use the existing heat that the earth and air naturally store and transfer into your house. 

How Does a Heat Pump Work in Winter? 

Heat pump coils condense heat and transmit it inside to keep your family warm. The outdoor unit acts as the evaporator, absorbing and transferring heat from outside to the house's interior. The inside unit serves as the condenser to pull warm air in and distribute it throughout your home. 

While this sounds complex, heat pumps have been a popular choice for heating homes for decades because they install quickly and run smoothly. The simple way that heat pumps warm your home in the winter can also help to cool your home in the warm summer months. 

Heat Pumps in the Summer

Although the term "heat pump" sounds like it mainly functions to heat your home, air-source heat pumps can also cool your home in the warmer months. When cooling your home, the indoor and outdoor units work together to lower the temperature inside your home, moving hot air outside and cool air inside.

The inside unit's coils evaporate hot air and unleash it outside. The outdoor unit condenses warm air to cool and moves it into your home for maximum comfort. 

Will a Heat Pump Work for Your Home?

Air-source heat pumps remain sustainable and affordable for heating and cooling your home. If you live in a frigid climate that routinely drops below freezing, you may require a gas furnace for the frequent freezing temperatures. However, those residing in the mild weather in North Carolina can benefit from using an air-source heat pump to remain comfortable year-round. 

Hybrid heat pumps and gas furnace systems exist for extreme environments that may need an additional heat source for the winter months. The heat pump remains the primary heat source, while the furnace is a backup or secondary heat source for severe cold. 

A heat pump can be a cost-effective alternative to gas furnaces or other expensive heating methods and allows you to combine heating and air conditioning. 

Contact Hickory Heating & Cooling for Heat Pump Service

Heat pumps provide the perfect warmth for homes in warmer climates that rarely dip below freezing. Even cool and cold climates can benefit from a new heat pump installation due to technological advancements, saving homeowners money on their monthly energy bills. 

Like air conditioners, air-source heat pumps require maintenance all year long and remain crucial to keep your unit in prime condition. Call an HVAC company right away if you notice any damage to your heat pump or wish to install a new heat pump system. If you need heating and cooling services in Hickory, NC, trust the HVAC professionals at Hickory Heating & Cooling.

How does a heat pump work in winter? An air-source heat pump works by drawing heat out of the air outside in cold weather, forcing it into your home, and saving you money. To see if a heat pump suits your home, call Hickory Heating & Cooling at (828) 618-4887 for a free consultation!