Residential heat pumps are designed to collect energy from outside and transfer it indoors, thereby reducing your year-round heating and cooling costs. Functionally they are similar to refrigerators in that they use electricity to collect and transfer heat energy, and in the summertime they can also do the opposite to deliver air conditioning. And the best part is that they can provide all this more economically than using either carbon-based fuel or electricity.
Heat pumps should not be confused with geothermal energy which means “earth heat” and involves capturing very hot water from several hundred feet below the surface and using it directly to heat buildings or turn turbines to generate electricity.
Understanding the pros and cons of the two main classifications
“Ground source” heat pumps are able to heat and cool our buildings by exploiting constant ground temperatures not far below the surface. Heat is extracted by circulating fluid through loops of pipe which are buried below ground. They tend to consume more energy than air sourced technology as they require electricity to run the various pumps used for extract and transfer, but on a positive note they are more effective at collecting heat in colder climates.
“Air source” heat pumps are able to extract heat energy from the ambient outdoor air. They are much more economical to install than a ground source system since no excavation or piping is required, but they are better suited to areas where temperatures stay moderate throughout the entire year.
Climate Efficiency
Keep in mind that in our cold Canadian climate it is not effective to use this type of system as the sole source of heat in a house. As outdoor temperatures approach 0 °C the pumps efficiency for extracting usable heat diminishes. In other words, the colder it gets and the more heat you require, the less the pump can deliver. So, in colder climates, like ours, a supplemental heating source (furnace, electricity or hot water) is required to maintain a comfortable and constant home temperature.
Give Alair Homes in West Vancouver a call and we can help you determine the combination of systems that is right for you and your home.