Virginia’s climate always runs a bit hot, but it also provides a full range of conditions. Northern Virginia specifically sees January temperatures averaging between 19 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit. So, as we buckle down for the colder months, you should have your heating system inspected in preparation for the chill. 

But what if a single system could keep your home warm during the winter and cool during the summer? At RA Dobson, we have just the thing: heat pumps. For the past 45 years, our team has helped Sterling, VA, residents to make and keep their homes comfortable. As a family-run business, we pride ourselves on training our employees for excellent customer service. Call us today for energy-efficient air conditioning or heating systems and ask about our professional heat pump services. 

Below, we explain heat pump basics and benefits for your home: 

Heat Pump Operation & Types

You may wonder: how can a single air system provide both warm and cool air? Consider how your refrigerator works: using electricity, it moves warm air from the cool space into a warmer one. Thus, the interior of the fridge stays cold. 

An air-source heat pump operates the same way: in the winter, it pulls warm air from outside and releases it into the house. In the summer, the process reverses. We may find it counterintuitive that warm air can come from cool weather, but that’s what a heat pump is designed for and what it achieves. 

Other heat pump types include water-source and geothermal. People in moderate climates around the United States have used air-source pumps now for many years. However, the newer water-source and geothermal pumps suit extreme climates better. 

Heat Pump Benefits & Features

One major benefit of heat pumps lies in their efficiency. They move heat rather than generate it, thereby maintaining a consistent room temperature. Thus, they run for as little as a quarter of the cost that conventional heating and HVAC systems do.

For a traditional home with a furnace, air ducts, and baseboard heaters, an air-source pump can reduce heating electricity usage by about 50%. Likewise, water-source and geothermal pumps can do the same by around 30%-60%. However, if your home lacks air ducts, new ductless mini-split heat pumps can be retrofitted. 

Since heat pumps have been on the market for several years, some now come with extra features. For instance, high-efficiency models may come with a desuperheater that gathers waste heat from the system to warm your home’s water with. Other pump models may come with two-speed compressors or dual-speed motors. 

Heat Pump Maintenance

As your home’s heating system ages or struggles to warm your whole house, you could replace or supplement that system with a heat pump. The pump would pay for itself thanks to its energy efficiency. Plus, RA Dobson offers expert heat pump repair services for folks across Northern Virginia. 

As with all heating and cooling systems, you should try to have a technician inspect your heat pump every year. They can ensure the system is working properly and catch problems before they become severe. Likewise, a technician can do messy maintenance that you might rather avoid. 

Heat pump upkeep includes cleaning or replacing air filters as needed. Some basic cleaning keeps dust and dirt out of the machine, while motors may require lubricant. Without proper maintenance, your heat pump may lose 10% to 25% of efficiency. 

Now Available: Professional Heat Pump Services for Residents of Sterling, VA

Whether you want a new heat pump installed or your current one repaired, reach out to your local technicians at RA Dobson. We provide professional heating, generator, air conditioner, and heat pump services for folks throughout Sterling, VA. When you want home maintenance, turn to a company that operates on family values and honesty. All our services come with one-year warranties. Call us today at (703) 481-3700 or fill out our request form for a free estimate.