A heat pump is a great way to both heat and cool your Augusta home while controlling the ever-present Georgia humidity. But how do you know which heat pump is the best option for your situation? Should you go with an air source, split ductless or geothermal heat pump? Keep reading to discover which heat pump options are best for your home or business.

Types of Heat Pumps

  • Air Source: An air source heat pump has a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating that is very important to how well your heat pump will perform in the summer. Though it’s important to also consider the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) rating, which dictates how well it heats, the SEER rating is much more important to Georgia’s hot, humid summers.
  • Split Ductless: A split ductless heat pump works in a similar fashion to an air source heat pump, but the temperature change is handled through a couple of small pipes that are drilled through your walls rather than a full indoor system. The heat is exchanged at the outdoor unit, which then is transferred to an indoor unit containing a heat exchange coil and fan system. The SEER rating is also important.
  • Geothermal: A geothermal heat pump isn’t as strongly impacted by location because it draws its temperature differential from loops of pipe buried deep in the ground. For this reason, geothermal heat pump systems base their cooling efficiency on their EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating and their heating efficiency on their COP (Coefficient of Performance) ratings. Because the pipes must be buried, this is the most expensive type of heat pump.

What to Know Before You Buy

The Augusta climate requires that your heat pump receive expert installation. Because these systems operate based on a delicate balance between indoor and source temperatures, it’s vital that they are set up by a company that knows how to handle the challenges of the Augusta area to ensure you receive peak energy efficiency from your new system. When you receive expert installation of your heat pump, one thing you won’t need to worry about as much is the amount of noise the system creates. The compressors and fans in these systems can be somewhat noisy, so it’s important that your installer looks for a system that has an overall sound rating under 7.7 bels. They’ll also know to install the outdoor unit on a noise-absorbing base that is located away from your windows. A heat pump delivers an exceptional level of energy efficiency while providing you with a comfortable indoor environment for your home or business, but it’s important that you receive expert installation to ensure you get the most out of your system and avoid costly repairs down the road. At Duggan's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning®, we pride ourselves on the fact that we can handle any air handler in Augusta. Please feel free to contact us today for a quote on an energy-efficient new heat pump system for your comfort.