Heat pumps are a highly-beneficial alternative to traditional HVAC systems. They are also more versatile and efficient, providing both heating and cooling while using less energy. Heat pump technology has been improved significantly with the addition of advanced features that increase its lifespan, functionality, and efficiency even further.
With over 45 years of experience, you can be assured that R.A. Dobson’s technicians are highly-capable in efficient heat pump installation, plumbing, air conditioning repair, and more. Throughout Sterling, VA, R.A. Dobson has served thousands of customers, many of whom return for our friendly service, quality workmanship, and competitive prices.
Here are 4 interesting features you should consider for your new heat pump installation:
1. Variable/Dual-Speed Motors
One prominent feature among certain heat pump models are variable-speed or dual-speed motors.
These are connected to the heat pump’s fans, keeping the airflow at a consistent velocity throughout the house. It ensures your home is consistently heated with fewer cool drafts and cooled with fewer waves of heat.
Keeping your indoor spaces consistently cool or warm also ensures that your system isn’t wasting electricity. The variable/dual-speed motors will help keep your heat pump system energy-efficient.
2. Desuperheater
Another high-efficiency feature to look for among heat pump models are those equipped with a desuperheater. It is an auxiliary heat exchange component that uses the excess heat produced by the heat pump’s system to heat water. This feature turns your heat pump into both an HVAC system and a water heater system, increasing your home’s energy efficiency.
According to the US Department of Energy, a heat pump equipped with a desuperheater can heat water twice as efficiently than the common electric water heater installed in most homes.
3. Two-Speed Compressors
Standard compressors that are installed with most heat pump systems only operate at their full capacity, which can end up wasting a lot of energy over time.
However, a heat pump installed with a two-speed compressor can increase its efficiency by switching between full and reduced capacity settings, saving energy.
A two-speed compressor will also have a longer lifespan than a standard one, since it can work at a lower capacity, reducing the amount of strain and wear it receives over time.
4. Scroll Compressor
Another improved feature to look for is a more advanced type of compressor, known as a scroll compressor, which have made heat pump systems even more efficient. This is because scroll compressors improve on the standard piston compressor by having a longer lifespan and producing much less noise when in operation.
This is due to their improved design, which involves two spiral shaped scrolls. While one remains fixed, the other revolves around it, greatly compressing the refrigerant used for heat exchange.
Scroll compressors come in a number variants too, each more efficient due to the greater precision they have in capacity control. The standard is the single-stage compressor, which works only at full capacity, while the two-stage and variable capacity compressors are able to switch to lower capacity settings for even greater energy-efficiency.
R.A. Dobson: Quality Heat Pump Installation in Sterling, VA!
As mentioned in the features described above, heat pumps have advanced into becoming a worthwhile alternative to HVAC systems. At R.A. Dobson, we do our best to keep track of the latest in heating and cooling technologies. To us, our expertise in professional heat pump installation, plumbing repair, and HVAC maintenance, is all about making sure your home remains comfortable and efficient for years to come. Our high-quality workmanship and honest service has made us one of the most trusted HVAC and plumbing companies in Sterling. Contact us at (703) 481-3700 to learn more about our services and get a free estimate.