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What's a Heat Pump? A Heat Pump is a mechanical device that picks up heat from one place and moves it to another. Your refrigerator is one example of a heat pump.
There are two types:
Geothermal Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) are electrically-powered systems that use the relatively constant temperature of the soil to provide heating, cooling, and limited hot water for homes and commercial buildings. | Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) are "reverse air conditioners" that extract heat from outdoor air and move it mechanically into an indoor environment using indoor ductwork to transfer the heat. In cooling mode these systems reverse themselves. |
There are advantages and disadvantages to both systems.
Both systems have some common features
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Both require and use ELECTRICITY to run.
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Both REQUIRE BACKUP HEAT SYSTEM ON COLDER DAYS SUCH AS ELECTRIC , GAS OR OIL FURNACE on colder, below 30 degrees depending on size of heating load.
- Both can be environmentally friendly and economical alternatives if you currently use oil-fired hot air furnace and ductwork.
Advantages of geothermal ground source heat pump systems:
- Can be used for low temp radiant heating
- Can supply VERY LIMITED domestic hot water for bathing with same unit
- Can offer heating and cooling from the same system (must be water to air type)
- Can be configured to run using only electricity (supplemental heat is electric unit buiilt in)
- Electricity Efficient: Dual Stage Units on market currently have high ratings
Advantages of air source heat pump systems:
- Cost effective: One system for heating and cooling using only electricity for most of operating time. No added cost of ground loops needed for Geo/ground source systems
- Many options for equipment suppliers, parts and service
- Efficient: units on market currently have high ratings that go beyond Energy Star ratings
- Easy and cheaper to install in existing buildings to replace oil or gas only hot air furnaces
Disadvantages of air source heat pump systems:
- Requires electric furnace, high efficiency gas furnace, or a gas or oil boiler/fancoi to make up heat in colder weather.
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Air systems only. Can't be used for radiant heating or hot water baseboards
- No domestic water heating ability
Disadvantages of ground source Geo heat pump systems:
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Higher cost due to ground loops or wells.
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STILL requires some type electric furnace, a high efficiency gas furnace, or a gas or oil boiler/fancoil to make up heat in colder weather.
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Wont easily replace current baseboard, steam or air heat system without costly improvements or new duct systems & can't be used for hot water baseboards due to low temp of water created oin water to water systems
We install closed loop ground source systems for economy and reliability. We use Heat Controller/Comfort Aire Equipment .
Many heat pump systems qualify for a 30% Federal Energy Efficiency Income Tax Credit PLUS Cash rebates of $150 to $750 from major public utilities.
Contact us today for more information on reabtes and tax credits. Massachusetts Heat pumps Massachusetts Air Conditioning Contractors Massachusetts AC Repair Massachusetts GeothermalATC Energy Management "The SmartHeat Guys"
*IGSHPA valid throughout US; State of certification: MA Click here to view certification
Certification listing: (individual) Mark W. Edmonds, ATC Energy Management.
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