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Ah, heat pumps. The longstanding all-electric option for residential heating and AC.
During the summer, a heat pump functions as an air conditioner by removing heat from your home. In winter, it works in reverse by removing heat from the outdoors and pumping it into your home. When your HVAC contractor selects the right heat pump for your home and installs it properly, these systems work great!
But there’s one little bugaboo about heat pumps that drives some people nuts.
We’re talking about heat strips, aka auxiliary heat. After outdoor temperatures dip into the 30s, most heat pumps can’t bring enough heat from the outdoors into your home. Instead, they switch to resistance heating via heat strips. It’s like using a big hot toaster coil to heat your home – and it’s very inefficient and costly.
Not so with hyper-heat pump HVAC systems!
Heat pump technology is advancing rapidly, and homeowners are reaping the benefits. Around the world, many governments are trying to get people to stop burning fossil fuels for energy. As a result, there’s a lot of R&D going on in heat pump world. One of the newest developments is known as hyper heat.
Unlike standard heat pumps, hyper-heat pumps will continue heating your home without resorting to heat strips when it gets really cold outside. As a result, you get heat pump efficiency, even when outdoor temperatures reach zero degrees.
How hyper-heat pumps work
Hyper-heat heat pump systems work differently from the older units. They use an inverter to continue removing heat from the increasingly cold air outdoors. The inverter-driven system continues removing heat from the (cold!) ambient environment long after a standard heat pump would have given up. Basically, it makes heat strips a thing of the past.
For homeowners, this means much much lower energy costs in winter compared to standard heat pumps.
If you’re planning to make your home all electric and you have the budget for it, moving to a hyper-heat pump system is a great choice. Not only will you be moving away from gas heat; you will also ensure that your energy bills don’t skyrocket during the coldest months of the year. After all, no heat strips means no expensive resistance heating.
Speaking of lowering your energy bills…
Benefits of hyper-heat pump HVAC systems
Lower wintertime energy bills are probably the biggest benefit. Others may include:
- Better indoor comfort thanks to these systems’ variable speed fan and variable capacity compressor
- Whisper-quiet operation compared to what you’re probably used to
- Rebates from your local utility
And if you’re switching to a heat pump because you personally want a system that you can one day power without burning fossil fuels, these units check that box, too.
What are your options for hyper-heat heat pumps?
At the time of writing, there are two large manufacturers that are making hyper-heat pumps for the residential market: Trane-Mitsubishi and Carrier.
At PV Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we’re a Carrier dealer and are authorized to install the Performance™ 18 Compact Heat Pump, which is an 18 SEER2 system that qualifies for federal tax credits. Thanks to its having hyper-heat on board, this is one of Carrier’s highest performing heat pumps. If you’re used to paying for resistance heating during the winter, the efficiency and comfort this system offers will truly blow your mind.
In the future, we expect Carrier to offer even more systems with hyper-heat. Other manufacturers are likely to create hyper heat pump systems as well, increasing the availability of this cost-saving technology for all consumers.
Of course, it’s important to remember that no system – not even a brand new hyper-heat heat pump system – will perform at its best in the absence of effective HVAC design and a rigorous, standards-based installation. At PV Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we don’t install this system or any system without first doing labor-intensive legwork to ensure we’ve selected the right components and sized the system properly. We also examine clients’ existing ductwork, making duct modifications and enhancements as needed to ensure the new system will perform as the manufacturer intended.
These steps are essential for any new HVAC installation, hyper-heat or not.
Curious about hyper-heat pump HVAC for your home?
These new systems are a great match for many homes in the Atlanta area. If you’re interested in learning more about a hyper heat heat pump system for your home, get in touch today!
We’ll listen to your concerns and help you pick the right HVAC option for your home, regardless of your preferences or budget. When applicable, our team can also help you qualify for utility rebates and discuss government programs that help homeowners save on energy efficient HVAC equipment for their homes.
Fill out the form below or call us today to start the conversation!
