Top 5 Reasons to Choose an Electric Heat Pump
If you are considering purchasing an electric heat pump but you’re not sure why you should, this article is for you. In this month’s blog at D-MEC, we have compiled a list of the top 5 reasons you should purchase an electric heat pump for your building. In this article, we will discuss the various benefits of heat pumps as well as the different types of heat pumps and why an electric heat pump is preferable.
The different types of heat pumps
There are many different types of heat pumps to choose from that are each more suitable for different applications than others. They’re powered differently, available at various price points, and have different scales that may make placement difficult.
- Ducted Air-Source Heat Pumps
There are a few subcategories of ducted air-source heat pumps, including air-to-air, water-source, and geothermal. Each of these different types of heat pumps generates heat differently. Air-to-air and water-source heat pumps are self-explanatory, but geothermal heat pumps use the heat from the ground outside your home to create heat to transfer back into your home.
Air-to-air heat pumps are more commonly used than their counterparts because they generate heat far more efficiently concerning electricity and cost. As well as drawing in the outside air, they also de-humidify it, making the cold air far crisper in the summer when the temperatures begin to rise, and your air-to-air heat pump is used for cooling the air rather than heating it.
- Ductless Air-Source Heat Pumps
Ductless air-source heat pumps, also known as mini-split heat pumps, are great miniature versions of air-source heat pumps. They’re suitable for heating individual rooms and work in systems of several units connected to one outdoor unit. Their efficiency is affected by the quality of the internal insulation of the building, so they’re not preferable for businesses that need consistent and large-scale heating throughout the day.
- Geothermal Heat Pumps
These are an example of more expensive types of heat pumps to install but they’re not particularly costly to run thanks to their reliance on ground and water temperatures, which tend to be relatively constant.
- Absorption Heat Pumps
These types of heat pumps use heat and thermal energy from combusting natural gas and steam. They’re fuel efficient, but they require special designs to maintain a high vacuum, which may not be sustainable long-term.
Electric Heat Pumps
Electric heat pumps harbour many properties you can benefit from that you will notice in multiple aspects, including monetary, carbon footprint, and frequency of maintenance. So, now that we have discussed the different types of heat pumps on the market, we will cover why electric heat pumps are the best option for your property.
1. Cost-Efficiency
Although the upfront cost of installing an electric heat pump might seem high, the efficiency of the heat pump outweighs the initial cost of purchase and the cost to run the system. High-quality electric heat pumps expel more heat than the electricity they use, unlike fossil-fueled heating systems which work oppositely. Not to mention, these types of heat pumps continue to be cost-efficient regardless of the external temperature.
2. Sustainability
You may be wondering how a heat pump run by electricity could be sustainable. Well, the sheer functional efficiency of up to 400% makes them preferable regarding sustainability to conventional electric heaters that only reach 100% efficiency at most. For every four units of energy a heat pump produces, only one unit of electricity is used. Additionally, using electricity as a source of fuel eliminates the harmful emissions expelled by fossil-fueled heating alternatives. You could connect your electric heat pump to solar panels to generate energy. Depending on the specific type of heat pumps you choose, geothermal, air, or water source, your heat pump will use the temperature of the air or ground and increase it accordingly without using excessive amounts of energy.
3. Low Maintenance
Unlike other more complex types of heating systems, electric heat pumps have very few moving parts which will need regular maintenance throughout the year. Electric heat pumps have a very robust design and aren’t prone to deterioration, so although annual evaluations are recommended, they’re not required. If you fall behind with the maintenance of your traditional fossil-fueled heating system, you risk it breaking down completely and resulting in a costly repair or replacement. Electric heat pumps tend to take care of themselves and thus won’t occupy your time. They require cleaning every 8 to 12 weeks and servicing once a year to ensure they’re working optimally, but you won’t need to think about them as much as you would with a traditional heating system.
4. Lengthy Lifespan
A high-quality electric heat pump will last for several decades if treated properly. Ordinarily, boilers need regular servicing and can only be expected to last about 10-12 years before requiring a replacement due to natural deterioration. But electric heat pumps can withstand regular use for 20-25 years before you’ll need to consider installing a new one. The most common reason why a heat pump might stop working as efficiently is due to clogged air filters. But there are many reasons why the functionality of a boiler may deplete.
5. Flexibility
Electric heat pumps work well with underfloor heating and radiators and can also be used for both the heating and cooling of a building. So, when the temperatures rise in the warmer seasons, you can switch the functionality and use your electric heat pump as an air conditioner. The components of your electric heat pump will simply reverse its processes and expel cold air as opposed to warm.
How can D-MEC help?
Here at D-MEC, we offer a range of cost-effective services to provide you with an electric heat pump solution for your building. With 25 years of industry experience, our family-run business employs a team of fully trained and highly-qualified professionals to ensure your heat pump meets your needs. Whether you need installation, maintenance, repair, or help with designing your heat pump system, we can help!
If you’re interested in our services, contact us now!