Are you thinking about investing in new heater installation in Nashville? If so, then you may have questions about heat pumps and how they work. Use this guide to learn more about this heating installation option.

The Purpose of Heat Pumps

As their name indicates, a heat pump serves the purpose of adding heat to an area and can be installed as part of your HVAC system. However, unlike furnaces and boilers that use fuel to create heat, a heat pump transfers heat from one space to another. Because they do not use fuel to create heat, heat pumps can be more energy-efficient than other heating options.

How Heat Pumps Work

When it comes to adding a heat pump to their HVAC system, most homeowners have 2 types of heat pumps to choose from. The first type, which is called an air-source heat pump, absorbs warmth from the outside air, even when it’s cool out, and transfers it into your home. Conversely, heat pumps can absorb the heat from the air in your home and transfer it outside in the summer. The second type, which is called a geothermal heat pump, sources heat from underground. Using a loop of fluid-filled piping, these heat pumps absorb heat from the ground or a water source and then transfer it into the home. In warm weather, geothermal heat pumps can transfer heat from your home into the ground or water source that it runs through.

Where Heat Pumps Work

If you’re planning on getting a heating replacement for your home, then there are a few factors to consider before going forward with heat pump heating installation. While a heat pump can warm your home when the weather gets cool, air-source varieties do not function well once the temperatures drop below freezing. For this reason, you shouldn’t rely on an air-source heat pump as your primary heat source if you live in an area where the temperatures reach freezing. However, a geothermal heat pump can frequently work as a primary heat source in these areas.