Why Heat Pumps are the Perfect Solution for Hot Canadian Summers

With the hot weather rolling in and summer knocking on the door, families everywhere are getting ready to turn on the central air conditioning system. However, before you spend thousands of dollars installing a central air conditioning system for your home, consider a more cost-effective option: a heat pump.

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump uses an electric current to move heat from one place to another. It is often used to take the heat from inside a building and release it outside, or vice-versa.

In the wintertime, a heat pump can heat your home by drawing in cool air from the outdoors and transferring the heat from that air into your home. This makes it possible for you to keep your house warm without using any fuel at all.

The process of moving heat works because hot air has more energy than cold air. When you combine two different kinds of air, they will exchange their energy. The hot air loses energy as it mixes with cold air, which gains energy by absorbing some of the hot air's energy.

How Does a Heat Pump Work?

The refrigeration cycle is the process that takes place in a heat pump. When using a heat pump, the refrigeration cycle begins when your thermostat turns on the compressor. The compressor pumps refrigerant into the evaporator coil and pressurizes it. The heated coils remove heat from your home, allowing for cooling. As the refrigerant flows through a series of metal pipes called tubing, it's compressed and cooled. At the same time, a fan blows air over the tubes to help cool them even more.

When it gets to the end of its journey through the evaporator coils, this liquid becomes a gas again. It then travels back to where it entered - back into the compressor. At this point, an expansion valve allows some of this gas to escape through a pipe and into your home's duct system. Then another fan pushes this warm air throughout your home so that all rooms are evenly heated with fresh air rather than recycled air from inside your home or garage (which would be much warmer).

When Is the Right Time To Install a Heat Pump?

In many parts of Canada, the summer heat is an issue every year, and that's why it's important to have a backup plan in place. The best time to install a heat pump is when your home needs it most. In much of Canada, this is not just any time; it's when temperatures are soaring well above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) for weeks on end.

While some homeowners may be able to handle these temperatures without their heating system operating at full capacity, others may find it necessary to do so or even move out of their home altogether.

Benefits of Heat Pumps

The heat pump is a very efficient way to heat or cool your home. Heat pumps can be used in single and two stage systems, which are normally more efficient than conventional heating systems. Here are the benefits of using a heat pump:

• Cost-Saving
  Heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat from one place to another. In other words, they move heat from your outside air into your home or from inside your home into your ductwork (or vice versa). This movement of heat requires energy, meaning that heat pumps cost money to operate. However, because they use electricity instead of natural gas or oil (like an air conditioner), they are more cost-effective than most other types of heating and cooling systems.
• Eco-Friendly
  Another benefit of using a heat pump is that it's eco-friendly because it doesn't release harmful gases into the environment like traditional fossil fuel-powered systems (such as propane). Plus, unlike many other heating and cooling systems that use water for their operation (such as geothermal), heat pumps don't require any extra water usage.
• Improved Comfort
  Heat pumps produce a more comfortable temperature than standard heating and cooling systems because they work by transferring energy from one place to another. For example, if a room is too cold, the heat pump transfers heat from an area warmer than the room. In this way, heat pumps can provide a more consistent temperature throughout your home.
• Low Maintenance
  Heat pumps require little maintenance. They do not contain any moving parts, and they don't need oil changes like many other types of heating systems do. Heat pumps also require less maintenance than traditional furnaces because they don't burn anything, so there's no ash pan to clean out or filters to change regularly.
• Quiet Operation
  Heat pumps are very quiet when compared to traditional furnaces or boilers. This means that they are much easier on the ears and won't disrupt anything else in your home while running. You can even run them at night or while you're away from home without having to worry about waking up or losing sleep.
• Safety
  Heat pumps are safe for almost any setting. Unlike traditional appliances, these devices do not use open flames to heat your home. This makes them much safer for children, pets and other people who may be in the area where they operate. They also don't generate any harmful gases that could cause damage if released into an enclosed space like a basement or garage.
• Durability
  Heat pumps are highly durable compared to other heating systems because they don't use combustible fuel to generate heat. This means that they don't emit smoke or fumes into the air as other types of heating equipment do. Moreover, unlike boilers and furnaces, which require regular maintenance, heat pumps work without any need for repair or replacement for decades without fail.

Different Types of Heat Pumps

There are many different types of heat pumps, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The following is a list of the most common types of heat pumps:

Water Source Heat Pumps

Water source heat pumps use the groundwater temperature as the source of heat. This technology is often used when there is no natural gas or electricity access. As a result, it is an extremely efficient system for heating and cooling your home. 

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps use the temperature of the air outside as the source of heat. These systems are more common than water-source heat pumps but require electricity to run properly. They can be used during all four seasons but are most effective in winter when temperatures are below freezing.

Geothermal Heat Pumps

A geothermal system uses two loops of pipes called "ground loops," which are buried underground in order to transfer heat from the earth into your home via a compressor in an indoor unit or air handler located inside your home near where you want warm air blown out (usually near a furnace or boiler). Geothermal systems can also be used for cooling during warmer months by reversing the operation of the compressor, so it moves heat from inside your house into the ground instead of vice versa.

Why Should You Have a Professional Install a Heat Pump?

You should have a professional technician install a heat pump because they have the expertise to make sure that your new heat pump is properly working and sized for your home. A professional will also be able to ensure that the system is installed in an area that will work for you, such as near existing ductwork or where trees or other objects won't easily damage it.

If you are looking for the most energy-efficient and cost-effective way to cool your home this air conditioning season, a heat pump may be the right solution. Whether in a small 1-bedroom apartment or a large 4-bedroom house, a heat pump can keep your space cool during the hot summer months while saving you money on your energy bills.

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In Toronto, there is no one more skilled in heat pump installation, repairs, and maintenance services than The Boiler Shoppe. With over 35 years of experience in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installation, repairs, and maintenance, The Boiler Shoppe's electrical installation services are unmatched. Get in touch with us today for a quote.