Debunking 5 Myths About Heat Pumps in Prospect, KY

Heat pumps are one of the most popular types of HVAC systems for homeowners in Prospect, KY, and the surrounding areas. Nevertheless, there is a fair amount of misinformation about them that might cause a homeowner to overlook them. In this article, we’re going to debunk five common myths about heat pumps.

1. Heat Pumps Can’t Cool Your Home

This misunderstanding arises from the name “heat pump,” which many people take at face value. Seeing this name, quite a few people infer that they can only heat indoor environments. This, however, is utterly untrue.

In reality, these HVAC systems have both heating and cooling modes and can therefore perform the core functions of both a furnace and an AC. These systems have the name that they do because of the central principle by which they operate: heat transfer. They use refrigerant to absorb heat from the surrounding air, and then, depending on which mode they are in, they compress and condense the refrigerant so that it releases that heat either outdoors or into your home.

2. They Work Poorly in Very Cold Climates

Technically, this claim is true of some older systems. For these older and less advanced systems, it indeed is sometimes difficult to extract heat from especially cold air, and their coils can sometimes struggle to work properly if the temperature falls below approximately 45 degrees Fahrenheit. However, none of this is true for these systems designed over the last few years.

For one thing, modern heat pumps come with special heat strips that will provide the system with additional heat whenever the weather is particularly frigid. This takes care of any heat transfer problems that might arise at sub-zero temperatures.

3. They are High-Maintenance

This claim is partially true because ground-source geothermal heat pumps, which use extensive networks of underground pipes, may require some additional care during installation. However, these systems are not especially difficult to care for. Since they don’t use any flammable fuels, there’s no reason to call HVAC technicians to check for things like gas leaks.

Of course, HVAC systems do require regular rounds of maintenance and can occasionally fall prey to things like wiring issues, electrical short circuits and refrigerant leaks. To take care of these and other problems, HVAC industry experts consistently recommend scheduling professional maintenance at least once per year.

4. Heat Pumps Aren’t Worth the Investment

This myth exists because some people are content to take a surface-level look at heat pumps’ typical up-front installation costs and draw sweeping conclusions. While these installation costs may seem to be higher, you’ll more than recoup your investment if you install a heat pump in your home.

The simple reason for this is that, in most cases and under most conditions, heat pumps are much more efficient than traditional HVAC systems. Therefore, if you get a heat pump, you’ll enjoy significantly lower energy bills.

5. Heat Pumps Are Noisy

While it is true that many of the first heat pumps could be louder while at work, this claim is now outdated. Today’s heat pumps make only mild vibrating noises and may produce a temporary clicking sound when powering on. With modern noise-reduction technology, these systems can be as quiet as a mere 55 decibels.

If you’re in the market for a new HVAC system, heat pumps deserve your attention. Don’t let misinformation and myths stand in the way of your comfort. Call Birkhead Co. Heating and Air Conditioning and ask for our heat pump services in Prospect, KY today.

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