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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Is Refrigerant Used in Heat Pumps?

Heat pumps are becoming more common in our area for a few reasons. First, they’re efficient, and second, they can be used as both air conditioners and heaters. If you get one installed at your place in San Antonio, you’ll be able to use it every month of the year, if necessary. Heat pumps can do such a great job at keeping homes comfortable because they rely on a substance called refrigerant. What Exactly Is Refrigerant? Refrigerant is a substance that can be found in various forms. In appliances, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, and heat pumps, it can be either in a gas or a liquid form. As it transitions between those two states of matter, it can absorb or give off heat. Over a hundred years ago, scientists and engineers first figured out how to use refrigerant to cool areas. It took awhile for this idea to become a practical one, and obviously, the industry has come a long way since the early days. Now, we can use refrigerant safely and effectively. The Heating Process There are two basic types of heat pumps, and they are air-source pumps and ground-source pumps. Air-source heat pumps get their heat from...

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