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Thanks to advances in technology there is a new choice for heating homes on the Western Slope. It is an all-electric air source heat pump. While gas furnaces are a wonderful choice for a heating system, now people have a choice to move toward beneficial electricity for cold climate conditions. Propane is a viable alternative but comes with inherent disadvantages:
Let’s review exactly what a these systems are and how it works. Technologically it’s no different than an air conditioner with one exception: This system has a reversing valve. During summer, the unit removes heat from inside the house and transfers it outside. With the addition of a reversing valve a heat pump is able to remove heat from the outside air during winter and transfer it into your home using the same ductwork you would use for a furnace or air conditioner.
It may be a little hard to comprehend but even when the air feels cold to you, it still contains heat. So, even if it’s negative 13 degrees outside the heat pump can still squeeze heat out of the air and use it to keep your home comfortable. Heat only ceases to exist when the temperature reaches what scientists call absolute zero which is -459.67℉.
There’s no doubt heat pumps are more efficient at heating homes when the temperature is moderate. That’s why they first became popular in the Southeastern U.S. and along the gulf coast. Twenty years ago, Climate Control Company would not have recommended a heat pump as a heating system in Colorado. Now, we feature several models that are still effective when the temperature drops to freezing. Premium heat pumps can provide adequate heating in temperatures below 0℉. Another option is to install a dual fuel system. A heat pump provides efficient heating in most conditions but when an extended cold snap hits, a backup gas furnace kicks in to provide supplemental heating.
Simply put, heat pumps are the most efficient form of electric heat. Because electricity isn’t used to heat the air, but instead run the compressor that squeezes heat from the outside air, these systems uses far less electricity than an electric furnace, electric boiler, or electric baseboard heat. With electric utility providers moving toward renewable energy an electric heat pump will help reduce our impact on the environment.
Decades ago, some HVAC companies may have pushed heat pumps in cold climates before the technology was ready. If you hear horror stories, don’t be scared off. Instead, call Climate Control Company and we will help you determine if an air source heat pump is the best heating system for your Glenwood Springs, Aspen, or Vail, CO home.
