What is a Heat Pump?

Is a ductless heating and cooling system right for your home?

You might have read about heat pumps in recent years. These products have been popular in Europe for some time, and they are now gaining popularity in the U.S. as an alternative to central air conditioning and a source of supplemental heat.

A heat pump is an all-in-one heating and cooling system that uses refrigerant to capture heat and transfer heat between the inside and outside of your home. It can do this without ductwork. Generally, a heat pump comprises an outdoor compressor unit and several indoor air handlers. These components connect by thin pipes in your walls.

How heat pump systems cool in the summer

Heat pumps are a fantastic air conditioning option for homes that don’t have ducts (like older homes that use boilers). The heat pump’s refrigerant cools your home by drawing in warm air from your rooms and expelling the heat outside. Then, cooled air returns to your room.

How heat pumps produce heat in the cooler months

Remember, a heat pump does not generate heat. It moves heat between the inside and outside of your home. So, in the cooler months, it reverses the process used to cool your home in the summer.

It will absorb heat from the outside air. (That’s right — there’s even heat in cold air.) Then, it transfers it to your home. This system is fantastic in the fall and early winter. Still, many of our customers choose to maintain an oil- or gas-fired heating system as a backup option for periods of sustained freezing temperatures.

Are heat pumps a good investment for your home?

If you’re currently using window A/C units to keep cool in the summer, then a heat pump is probably an excellent investment. Consider these benefits:

1. Energy efficiency — Heat pumps offer zoned heating and cooling. That means that each air handler works independently, and you can turn off units for rooms you aren’t occupying. Combine this with the fact that you won’t experience cooling and heat losses from leaky ducts, and you can enjoy significant energy savings.
2. Easy installation — Adding ductwork to your home can significantly disrupt your daily life. Ductless heat pumps are much easier to install. At Poore’s Propane and Oil, we handle quite a few heat pump installations in the Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania Tri-State area. We can typically install a whole ductless system in a day with only minor drilling to mount and connect equipment.
3. Long lifespan — A ductless heating and cooling system can last 20 years or more with proper maintenance. Our team is here for your heat pump repair and service needs.
4. Financial incentives — Depending on the state you live in and the heat pump product you install, you could qualify for energy efficiency rebates. If you install an ENERGY STAR-certified heat pump, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $2,000 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act!

Let’s connect and explore your ductless heat pump options. Reach out to the Poore’s HVAC team today.