Do Heat Pumps Work in Older Homes?
If you own one of the many older or historical homes in the greater Finger Lakes area, you may be looking for an efficient and cost-effective solution for heating and cooling. Old homes are often drafty and under-insulated, making heating and cooling a true challenge when it comes to efficiency and overall comfort. Plus, the systems in these homes are often also older, begging the question “do we remove the old system or do we keep it?”
One option to consider is a heat pump, which can provide both heating and cooling in one system, as well as potentially reduce your energy bills.
How a Heat Pump Works
A heat pump operates by transferring heat from one location to another. In the winter, it extracts heat from the outside air (even in the sub-freezing cold temperatures of the Finger Lakes) and moves it indoors to heat your home. In the summer, it does the opposite, removing heat from your home and transferring it outside to cool your living spaces. This process is accomplished through the use of refrigerant and coils within the system, and requires only electricity to provide efficient hot and cold air to your home, whenever you need it.
Why Consider a Heat Pump for an Older Home?
There are several reasons why a heat pump may be a good choice for both new homes and older homes alike.
Two In One
First and foremost, they can provide both heating and cooling in one system, which can save you money on installation and maintenance costs, as well as energy bills when compared to having separate systems for each.
To Duct, or not to Duct?
Secondly, older homes often have limited space for ductwork, which can make it difficult to install traditional central HVAC systems. Heat pumps, however, come in ductless configurations that can still be used for a whole home heating and cooling solution.
Comfort for Less
Thirdly, heat pumps are highly efficient, meaning they can potentially reduce your energy bills compared to other heating and cooling systems. This is especially important in older homes, which may have poor insulation and other inefficiencies that can drive up energy costs.
Start The Transition Away from Fossil Fuels
Finally, heat pumps are environmentally friendly, as they do not rely on fossil fuels like oil or gas to heat your home. Instead, they rely on electricity, which can be generated from renewable sources like wind or solar power. This is becoming more and more important, as natural gas and oil become more expensive and harder to secure.
Choosing the Right Heat Pump for Your Home
It's important to choose the right system for your needs. There are two main types of heat pumps to consider: air-source heat pumps and ground-source (or geothermal) heat pumps.
Air-source heat pumps are the most common type of heat pump and are typically less expensive to install. Ground-source heat pumps extract heat from the ground and transfer it indoors. While they are more expensive to install, they are also more efficient and can potentially save you more money in the long run.
While you are considering an upgrade to your heating and cooling system, you may want to also consider adding insulation and sealing air leaks in your home. This will maximize the efficiency of your new heat pump system and greatly improve the overall comfort of your entire home.
Call Halco for Heat Pump Installation in Syracuse, Ithaca, and Rochester
How you heat and cool your home will determine how much energy your home needs, and how much you will pay to keep it comfortable throughout all four seasons. Schedule heat pump installation near you when you call Halco Energy Services, and replace both the air conditioner and furnace in your Finger Lakes area home. Or, use a ductless mini split air conditioning system to supplement your existing HVAC, and get that hard to reach room its own comfort controls! Whatever your home heating and cooling needs, Halco is here to find the most efficient way to upgrade your overall comfort.
