A heat pump is a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that transfers heat from one place to another, from inside to outside or from outside to inside. In the winter a heat pump works like a heater, extracting heat energy from outside and transferring it inside—instead of generating its own heat like a furnace. In the summer the process reverses, and it removes heat from your home and transfers it outside like an air conditioner.

At All City Heat and Air , we would love to talk to you if you need service or maintenance on your current system or if you are considering installing one. Many of your North Carolina neighbors are already enjoying the versatility and energy efficiency of their systems, making it a popular option here in the Charlotte area.

There are many different names and types of heat pumps , but they can all be categorized as one of three different types: air source, water source, or geothermal.

An air source heat pump (ASHP) transfers energy in the air from one place to another. It uses an outdoor heat exchanger coil to extract heat from the air and an indoor heat exchanger coil to transfer the heat into air ducts , radiators, or a hot water tank. This process can also be reversed, so it may be used as an air conditioner as well.

A water source heat pump (WSHP) operates similarly to the air source but uses water instead of air to transfer heat. These types of pumps are not available to everyone because of the resources needed. However, if you live near a well, lake, or other natural resource, this can be a viable option. 

A water source heat pump cycles water through a series of pipes laid out in water. As the water cycles, it collects the heat and transfers that energy into your home. Again, this process reverses in the summer and carries heat out of your home by way of the water in the pipes.

The geography and climate around your Charlotte, NC , home are important when deciding which kind of heat pump is right for you. If you have questions about which type is optimum for your home or want to request a quote or service, please call All City Heat and Air today at 704-545-2000 or request service online to speak with one of our friendly and knowledgeable professionals.

The post What Is a Heat Pump? first appeared on All City Heat and Air and is written by All City Heat and Air.