There’s been a lot of talk lately about heat pumps. As these heating devices, which use completely natural forms of heat become more popular, of course people are questioning whether or not a heat pump can actually save homeowners money. Add to this the fact that these units can be very costly to install and the question of saving money becomes even more prevalent. So, can a heat pump really save you money? The short answer is yes, they can!
Heat Pump Efficiency
To determine whether or not a heat pump will really save you money, you need to look at more than just your heating bill. Truthfully, a heat pump will save you approximately 30 to 40 percent of heating costs every year. But this is dependent on what kind of heat pump you choose to install and how well you care for it.
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Ground source heat pumps are pumps that take heat from the ground. These units are the most costly and can range anywhere from $5,000 to $7,500. Because the temperature of the ground remains fairly constant, the heat pump won’t need to work harder even when it’s very cold outside, meaning that it won’t cost nearly as much to run this specific kind of pump. However the reason these units are so expensive to buy is because they need to be installed underground and at a depth that will guarantee a quality source of heat. Because of this, the initial installment of a ground source heat pump will cost quite a bit of money.
Also because they are located quite deep underground, should any repairs need to be made on the heat pump, a substantial amount of digging will also need to happen before any repairs can be done. This alone can be very expensive. However, the fact that ground source heat pumps are underground can also work as an advantage. Because they are completely surrounded by the earth, these systems are not exposed to the harsh outside elements such as rain and snow. Because of this these units often need to be repaired much less than above-ground units. Also because the temperature
Air Source Heat Pumps
Air source heat pumps are pumps that gather heat from the air and pump it into the home. These units are much cheaper and cost only about $1,500 to $4,000 to install. Because these units gather heat from the air, they sit above ground. And due to that they are also very easy to repair because they are so easily accessible. However, the temperature of the air can vary greatly, making these pumps work much harder than their ground-source counterparts. Maintenance may also be required more regularly on an air-source heat pump because they sit right outside. Therefore they are exposed to the harsh elements which can cause them to break down quite easily.
Any kind of heat pump cost will most certainly be cheaper to run than a traditional furnace. However the climate you live in and the type of heat pump you choose will greatly affect how much money you really save.
If you’ve been looking for a heat pumps in Dunedin you can contact McClelland Heat Pumps and Refrigeration. McClelland Refrigeration has been offering heat pumps and refrigeration throughout Dunedin and Otago for over two decades. Their services include heat pumps, air conditioning, cool stores and commercial refrigeration.