Comparing the Cost of Heat Pumps vs. Electric Heat

Electric heating has reigned as the most popular home heating option for decades, but a new player is entering the field: heat pumps. Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to electric heaters and are becoming increasingly popular in both residential and commercial settings. But is a heat pump more cost-effective than traditional electric heating? To answer this question, we must compare the two types of heating systems on several different levels. The Basics of Each Type of Heating System Electric heaters are the most common type of heating system today. They work by passing electricity through metal coils, which heat up and transfer their warmth into the air. This heated air then circulates throughout your home through air ducts or radiators, providing a comfortable living environment during cold winter months. Heat pumps, on the other hand, are a bit more complicated. They operate in two distinct ways: air-source and ground-source. Air-source heat pumps are placed outside your home and use refrigerant to collect heat from the surrounding environment (even when it’s cold outside) and transfer that heat inside your house. Ground-source systems utilize pipes buried underground to collect natural heat from the earth and deliver it inside your living space....

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Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioner: Which Is Better?

When it’s hot and steamy outside, you probably want to find a way to stay comfortably cool indoors. There are multiple options when it comes to cooling your home; heat pumps and air conditioners are two of the most common, but which is better depends on your needs. Here’s an overview of the differences between a heat pump and AC. How Air Conditioning Works An air conditioner is a component of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Air conditioners pull in air from inside of your home and blow it across coils that are filled with refrigerant. That refrigerant absorbs heat from the air the system takes in, then flows outside to disperse the heat away from your home. Meanwhile, the air that has been cooled is circulated back into your home, bringing the temperature down to keep you comfortable. This process repeats as many times as necessary to get your home to the temperature you set on your thermostat, though your system will take breaks between cycles as part of its normal operation. How Heat Pumps Work Heat pumps do the same thing as air conditioners: extract heat from the air they circulate, then push that heat...

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