Imagine if your air conditioner and furnace teamed up into one super-efficient system—kind of like a superhero duo for your home comfort. That’s basically what a heat pump is. It’s one unit that can heat your home in the winter and cool it in the summer, all while using less energy than traditional systems.

In fact, according to the US Department of Energy (DOE), air-source heat pumps use up to 50 percent less energy than furnaces or baseboard heaters—and water and geothermal models are even more efficient than their air-sourced counterparts.

But how do heat pumps even work? And why is everyone suddenly talking about them? Whether you’re trying to cut your utility bills, reduce your carbon footprint, or just understand your options before replacing old HVAC equipment, this blog breaks it down in simple terms.

Clear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. is pleased to bring the finest HVAC options to Peoria, and surrounding area residents. Let’s take a closer look at what makes heat pumps so cool (and warm!).

Heat Pump Types and How They Work

There are three basic categories of heat pumps:

Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)

Air source heat pumps are the most common and popular option. They harness heat energy in the air, transferring it from the outdoors to indoors on a cold day, or removing the heat from your home on a warm day. ASHPs have a compressor, an indoor coil, and an outdoor coil. The coils pump refrigerant, a substance that can absorb heat and release it. The indoor coil is also called a heat exchanger.

Older or lower-end heat pumps don’t fare as well in subfreezing temperatures—you’ll want a cold climate heat pump for that! However, you can pair them with a furnace programmed to kick on when the temperature dips below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. This combination, known as a dual-fuel system, lets you enjoy the heat pump’s efficiency benefits without the risk of losing heat. Additionally, newer and more advanced heat pumps are hitting the market that can handle cold winters.

Water Source Heat Pumps (WSHPs)

Water source heat pumps operate much like ASHPs—except they harness heat from a body of water instead of the air. For homeowners living near ponds, lakes, wells, or other water sources, a WSHP can be the perfect match. A series of underwater pipes cycle liquid, collecting heat. The heat gets picked up by the heat exchanger, which transfers it to your home via ductwork. On hot days, the process works in reverse to provide air conditioning.

While they cost more upfront, WSHPs use a fraction of the energy that the already-efficient ASHPs use. You’ll see considerable monthly savings and significantly reduce your carbon footprint.

Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs)

Ground source heat pumps, or geothermal systems, use pipes with liquid to collect heat like WSHPs, but the pipes are underground instead of underwater. The Earth has relatively consistent underground temperatures, ranging from 45 to 75 degrees, depending on latitude. This constant temperature makes it a reliable source for heating.

GHPs have pipe systems buried four or more feet underground. The pipe system can run horizontally or vertically, depending on what you and your Clear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. specialist determine works best with your Arizona property. Like other heat pump models, the heat gets transferred to the heat exchanger and distributed through your ducts with an air handler.

GHPs are among the most efficient heating sources on the planet. Like WSHPs, they cost more upfront but pay off significantly with long-term savings. Although heat pumps use electricity, carbon emissions can be cut to nearly zero when you pair them with a solar panel. Many owners also pair them with a ductless mini split, another great option to increase efficiency.

Heat Pump Maintenance and Upkeep

Heat pumps provide heating and cooling capabilities—there’s no need to supplement your heat pump with an air conditioner. That means you only have one system to worry about for repairs and maintenance costs!

The DOE recommends an annual maintenance visit to keep your heat pump system is operating at its best. One of our Clear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. specialists will check for leaky ductwork, which can lead to energy loss. They will also inspect refrigerant levels. Refrigerant leaks can harm your indoor air quality (IAQ) and impair the functionality of your heat pump.

Schedule HVAC Service With Your Peoria, Expert Today!

We’re pleased to offer our unmatched heating and cooling expertise to our neighbors in Peoria. For reliable, efficient, and friendly home service, call Clear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. at 480-757-9487 today, or set up your visit online.

The post What Is a Heat Pump? first appeared on Clear Air Conditioning & Heating and is written by Clear Air Conditioning & Heating.

On a frosty winter’s day here in Arizona, your gas furnace is hard at work, keeping your Peoria home warm and cozy. Feeling grateful? You’re not alone—it’s one of the most popular forms of heating, as American as apple pie.

In 1919, New Jersey inventor Alice H. Parker filed a patent for the first gas-fueled furnace. Years later, the basic technology is the same—only it burns less gas. In fact, modern furnaces burn at up to 97 percent efficiency, according to Consumer Reports. Keep this in mind if you’ve owned your heater for 10 years or longer.

Our team at Clear Air Conditioning & Heating could help you save big bucks on your monthly utility bill by performing a furnace replacement. And while we’re on the topic, we can help with your other HVAC needs: air conditioning, heat pumps, indoor air quality (IAQ), and more. All you need to do is call.

How a Gas Furnace Works

Furnaces that burn natural gas have four basic elements:

1. The Thermostat

Your thermostat is the eyes and ears of the operation. If it senses your home is below the target temperature, it sends signals to your furnace. Then, your furnace continues to cycle until your home is adequately warm. Finally, when it detects the desired temperature, the thermostat tells your furnace to stop running (until further notice).

2. The Ignitor

When your thermostat sends out a signal, the ignitor is the first to respond. Like the ignition starts your car—the ignitor starts your furnace.

If your heater is a decade old (or older), the ignitor might be a pilot light. The pilot stays lit 24/7, running on a small stream of natural gas. Newer furnaces have an electric ignitor, a considerably safer option. Electric ignitors are less risky because if your pilot goes out, you will quickly have a house full of gas fumes.

3. The Combustion Chamber

Next on the chain is the combustion chamber. This is where the ignitor lights the fuel. The natural gas becomes intertwined with oxygen supplied via a vent system or draft hood. The oxygen ensures that the fuel burns both cleanly and efficiently.

Besides taking in oxygen, the ventilation system pushes out exhaust through your flue. Economy flues are usually made out of galvanized steel. However, homeowners with polypropylene venting see long-term savings due to higher efficiency. The latter is also quite easy to install.

Whatever your flue is made out of—stay on top of maintenance. A clean flue ensures healthy air and prevents gas from getting squandered.

The Heat Exchanger

The combustion chamber emits heat, which gets collected by the heat exchanger. From there, the heat exchanger collects and distributes the treated air to your ductwork using burner-heated metal tubes.

When the tubes reach the right temperature, the furnace motor kicks on and begins blowing the air throughout your Peoria home with the help of fans.

High-efficiency furnaces have variable-speed blowers, which use less energy and allow tighter temperature control. These premium models may also have multiple heat exchangers, which helps your furnace use less fuel.

Remember to schedule seasonal maintenance—a cracked heat exchanger can lead to a dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) leak.

Need Service? We Have You Covered.

Clear Air Conditioning & Heating is pleased to offer second-to-none heating and cooling services. Our certified HVAC specialists can perform repairs, maintenance, and installations. For prompt assistance, call our Peoria, AZ, office at 623-516-8373 or request service online.

The post How Does My Gas Furnace Work? first appeared on Clear Air Conditioning & Heating and is written by Clear Air Conditioning & Heating.