“Just what makes heat pumps so attractive as an option for decarbonizing heat?
Powered by electricity, heat pumps use differences in the temperature of water, air or the ground to activate a cycle similar to a refrigerator but in reverse, releasing heat into a space. They are considered to be one of the most efficient ways of heating a space: studies show heat pumps can have a coefficiency of performance (COP) of 4, meaning that for every 1 kilowatt of energy used, 4 kilowatts of thermal energy are produced. This makes them massively more efficient than typical gas or oil-fueled boilers, which generally have a COP of less than 1. And when the electricity used to power heat pumps comes from renewable sources, both direct and indirect emissions are essentially eliminated.
“Heat pumps are our preferred technology because they are clean,” says Nigel Aylwin-Foster, also with the Pump It Up campaign, and sales and marketing director for ReEnergise Projects, which develops low-carbon heating for schools. “With heat pumps there are no emissions on site, and if you power your heat pump with grid power from renewable energy, we’re talking about completely clean heat.”
Read more about heat pumps and clean energy here.
The great thing about heat pumps is that not only can they heat your home but cool it too. Therefore, it can be efficiently used all year long. While heat pumps will have a larger upfront cost, the monthly energy usage will soon make up for it. Unlike oil and gas heat, heat pumps use the surrounding air to warm or cool your home so there is no need for a supply line or having your oil tank refilled.
If you’re interested in having a heat pump installed in your home, call Temperature Control Specialties at (317) 247-7663 to learn more about the products we offer. We’ll evaluate your situation and make the proper recommendation that suits your needs and budget.