Heat pumps have previously had the reputation of not working in too cold of temperatures. Over time, heat pumps have improved from the days when they couldn’t keep up during the cold winter days and nights, when it’s needed most. Now, with the new technology of the cold-climate heat pump, full output can be maintained even when the temperature drops to -25 degrees Celsius. They can keep up on even the year’s coldest days and match the load throughout the year better than they could before. This stems from inverter driven compressors that are able to ramp up and down to, at any moment, give your home the exact heating or cooling it requires. 

In comparison, furnaces traditionally deliver only a set output, no matter what the home requires at that time. This leads to the furnace delivering inconsistent temperatures when it first kicks on, slightly overheating the home. Once it shuts off, the house is left at a temperature slightly below what is desired for the home. It never truly gets to the temperature desired at any given time throughout the home. 

The level of comfort throughout your home from a heat pump by giving your air conditioning during the summer months on top of heating during the colder months. Transferring heat between the air inside and outside of the home by switching a reversing valve. When the valve is switched, the heat pump reverses the heat’s transfer from the air inside the home to outside. Earlier, being to match the load was mentioned and it is extremely crucial during warmer months when the temperature inside may not be too different from outside, but what remains high is the level of humidity. 

There are two functions of an air conditioner. First is the sensible load which removes heat, and the second is known as the latent load which removes moisture. The latent load especially helps on extremely humid days when the temperature isn’t too warm. It makes them more bearable and allows you to feel less sticky and uncomfortable when trying to relax at home. 

Comfort is increased on humid days by variable capacity heat pumps. Not only do they provide rub times that are much longer, they have cold condenser coils that have more air pads over them to make the air much less humid. In many areas of the country, air conditioning is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity throughout the cooling season. More than a furnace, a heat pump can perform double duty by not only keeping your home comfortable and cool in the summer and warm and toasty during the winter. 

Heat pumps work better than furnaces to have continuous comfort in your home year round. Looking for more reasons to replace your furnace with a heat pump? Check out our latest article 3 Reasons You Should be Replacing Your Furnace with a Heat Pump.