What are the Pros and Cons of a Heat Pump?

If your current heating or cooling system is on its last leg, you’ve most likely been scouring the web for a suitable replacement. While some of the most popular HVAC systems include furnaces and central air conditioners, you may be looking for a more versatile solution—such as a heat pump.

The excellent news is that heat pumps can heat and cool your home. However, before you decide on installing this type of system, there are some heat pump advantages and disadvantages that you should know. 

We’ve created a list of the pros and cons of a heat pump for your consideration:

Double Functionality

As mentioned, heat pumps can work as a cooling system in the summer and as a heater during the chillier winter months. Maintaining two separate heating and cooling systems can end up costing you a lot of money, and storing these units can be inconvenient. However, this double functionality can factor in heat pump advantages and disadvantages.

The Pros

When you have a heat pump installed to cool and heat your home, you can practically guarantee a comfortable home year-round without worrying about multiple system tune-ups. Plus, heat pumps typically last up to 15 years, so you don’t have to worry about the installation costs of both a heating system and an air conditioner when the time comes for a replacement.

The Cons

If you experience freezing weather, heat pumps may provide insufficient heat. You may need a secondary heating source once temperatures plummet past zero degrees Fahrenheit. Otherwise, your home might not be comfortable enough. Thankfully, those days are few and far between in North Charleston, John’s Island, or anywhere in between.

Uses Electricity

The fact that heat pumps rely on electricity to function can factor into the pros and cons of a heat pump, depending on how you look at it.

The Pros

Heat pumps run on electricity, which means they don’t need fossil fuels to operate. Plus, since these systems run on electricity instead of natural gas like a gas furnace, less maintenance is needed, and they reduce carbon emissions.

Electric heat pumps (especially air source heat pumps) also produce little to no sound while operating, so you can continue to enjoy uninterrupted quiet.

The Cons

As you know, there are several heat pump advantages and disadvantages—and electricity can be one of them. Since your heat pump requires electricity, you can’t use your system during power outages. If you tend to endure frequent power outages where you live, having a heat pump could be inconvenient during the colder and hotter months of the year.

The Costs

If you’re trying to cut expenses when investing in a new heating and cooling system, it’s essential to know the costs of a heat pump. There are pros and cons of a heat pump’s upfront and operational costs.

The Pros

When it comes to heat pumps, an advantage is lower operating costs. Heat pumps move heat instead of creating it from combustible fuels, which means that these systems have an efficiency that extends well over one hundred percent. Since these heating systems have high energy efficiency, you will waste less money and see savings on your energy bills.

The Cons

Heat pumps tend to have high upfront costs. The exact price of this type of heating system can vary depending on:

• Overall efficiency
• The system’s brand
• Your home layout

LimRic is Here to Help

While there are several pros and cons of a heat pump installation, making the best decision for you comes down to your household’s needs. If you need help deciding if a heat pump is a suitable option for you, get in touch with Johns Island’s heating experts.

LimRic specializes in heating, cooling, and water heater services with a focus on your comfort. Contact us to schedule a heat pump installation in Johns Island today!