Why Heat Pumps Work Well in Phoenix
Mild winters and scorching summers make heat pumps an unbeatable heating and cooling choice for many Arizonans.
The versatile heat pump shines as a year-round comfort system with little environmental impact.
At Desert Diamond Air, we install heat pumps in homes and businesses throughout Greater Phoenix and recommend them as a cost-saving and energy-efficient alternative to conventional HVAC systems.
If you need HVAC installation in a new home or are considering swapping out your air conditioner and furnace for a heat pump, schedule a free consultation with our Desert Diamond Air professionals. We will assess your Phoenix, AZ, home and recommend the best option for your comfort needs and budget.
Heat Pumps VS Conventional HVAC
How does a heat pump compare to central air conditioning? Technological advances have improved the heat pump’s ability to withstand high temperatures, even when it is 110°F and above, as it was for much of summer in Maricopa County last year.
Heat pumps have long been a favorite in the South and have gained popularity in the Southwest.
How do heat peat pumps compare to gas furnaces? Because modern heat pumps are designed to work efficiently below freezing, they have become a practical heating option for northern homes. A heat pump also pairs well with a furnace, creating a hybrid system that uses the furnace in below-zero weather and the heat pump during milder temperatures.
A heat pump can keep you warm and toasty during Arizona’s mild winters. It is more than sufficient when overnight temperatures rarely drop to 32° Fahrenheit.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), heat pumps account for over half of all heating equipment sales nationwide.
How Does a Heat Pump Work?
If you placed the two systems side-by-side, you might mistake an air-source heat pump for a central air conditioner.
Like an air conditioner, a heat pump consists of an outdoor unit containing a compressor and condenser coil and an indoor unit that houses the evaporator coil and blower. The two systems operate similarly by transferring heat from your home to the outdoors via refrigerant.
The most significant difference between the two systems is the heat pump’s ability to reverse the refrigerant flow to heat your home. In heating mode, the heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and moves it into your Phoenix, AZ, home.
Dual functionality makes the heat pump versatile and convenient. Instead of two systems, homeowners deal with just one for maintenance and repairs.
Pump Up Efficiency in Your Maricopa County Home
Heat pumps have a clear advantage over conventional heating and cooling equipment when it comes to efficiency. Because they transfer heat rather than burn fuel to create heat, they require much less energy than a gas furnace.
High-efficiency heat pumps and air conditioners offer similar Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2 (SEER2) ratings, which measure how efficiently the systems cool your home. Systems with a higher SEER2 consume less energy.
Trane, one of the HVAC manufacturers we proudly promote at Desert Diamond Air, says you can lower your energy costs by 26 percent with a heat pump that has an 18 SEER2 rating.
That is good news for Phoenix-area residents who are concerned about electricity prices. A heat pump offers considerable energy savings because it consumes less energy.
It can reduce overall utility costs and is an attractive option for new homes and as a replacement for an older, inefficient system.
Heat Pump Cost Savings
As an Arizonan, you are no stranger to high electricity bills, especially during summer when a cooling system is necessary to survive the intense heat. Because heat pumps are highly efficient, they can lower high summer utility bills.
The National Resources Defense Council (NDRC) says replacing an old AC unit with a heat pump improves cooling efficiency by 50 percent. In heating mode, they outperform electric and gas furnaces.
Heat Pumps: Easy on the Environment
Heat pumps do not emit greenhouse gases because they transfer heat rather than create it by burning fuel.
A heat pump is the perfect solution for Phoenix, AZ, homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint and avoid polluting the environment.
Heat Pump Maintenance
Like any other HVAC system, a heat pump requires routine preventative maintenance to continue operating at peak efficiency in Arizona’s desert climate.
Replacing your system’s dirty air filter is an essential DIY task to maintain good airflow. Your HVAC owner’s manual includes information about replacement frequency and filter type.
We suggest you schedule a professional checkup with one of our Desert Diamond Air technicians before you switch your system to cooling mode in late winter. We can inspect it again before the short heating season begins in late fall.
You can expect our professionals at Desert Diamond Air to thoroughly inspect and clean your heat pump, check refrigerant levels, and repair minor issues that could escalate and cause major headaches if ignored.
Consider joining our Desert Diamond Club, a four-tier service plan with benefits like parts warranties, priority service, and scheduling reminders to help keep your heat pump maintenance on track. All tiers include an annual plumbing inspection, an outdoor coil rinse, and a multi-point inspection.
Upgrade to a Heat Pump
Heat pumps offer versatility and energy efficiency and contribute to a green environment. If you want to learn more about installing a heat pump in your Phoenix, AZ, home, schedule a consultation with one of our Desert Diamond Air experts. Call us at 602-362-4599 or request service online.