Rentmeister Total Home Service Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heat Pumps’

What Parts Make a Heat Pump Different From an AC?

Monday, August 7th, 2023

You know that heat pumps and central air conditioners are different, but they also work very similarly, too. So what’s the difference between the two systems anyway? There are a few key components that set a heat pump apart from more traditional central air conditioners. 

You can keep reading to learn more about how heat pumps are different from other air conditioners. Then, give our team a call when you need to schedule service because of any heat pump problems. We are always here to help, even if you just need questions answered.

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How Often Should I Schedule Maintenance for My Heat Pump?

Friday, December 19th, 2014

Your heat pump is an effective air conditioner in warmer weather and can even provide incredibly efficient heating in the winter (up until temperatures outside drop below freezing). You want to take good care of your heat pump is so useful to you throughout the entire year—and because the cost of a sudden replacement would certainly not be ideal.

But without proper maintenance, your heat pump has a chance of failing before its time, running into repair needs throughout the year, or consuming a lot more energy than its efficiency rating would otherwise suggest. This is the reasoning behind technicians pushing for annual professional heating and air conditioning maintenance: equipment can wear down far too quickly without it.

You may begin to wonder: if a heating system and an air conditioning system must both receive maintenance every year, how often should I have a technician come look at my heat pump? Many would tell you that once a year for a heat pump simply is not enough. Heat pumps run in both the winter and the summer, and the excess strain on the system deserves a twice yearly checkup to prevent out-of-control expenses in the future and check up on any supplementary heating devices as well.

What to Expect from a Maintenance Visit

During a maintenance visit, a technician will first perform a thorough inspection, checking for leaks and cracks in the refrigerant line, ensuring the proper function of the reversing valve, and making sure the compressor is not being overworked. If there is anything alarming to report, the technician will then let you know what steps to take next for repairs and discuss all of your options with you.

Then, parts will be thoroughly cleaned and adjusted as needed. This is particularly important for the outside coil, which can become dirty quickly due to its exposure to the elements, leading to reduced heating and cooling capacity. It’s also important for the electrical connections to be tightened and for any loose screws to be put back in place.

Heating maintenance is a valuable service that often leads to better comfort at home, lower bills, and peace of mind. Call Rentmeister Total Home Service for heating maintenance in Salt Lake City today!

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How Does The Refrigerant in a Heat Pump Warm the House?

Monday, January 20th, 2014

It seems like a contradiction: refrigerant being used to warm a house rather than cool it. With heat pumps, however, it actually makes a lot of sense. Here in Salt Lake City, heating repair services must often handle heat pumps, since they’re a popular form of warming homes in the area. (They’re usually a part of a hybrid system, since additional heating power is needed on the coldest winter days.) But that doesn’t explain the central question: how does the refrigerant in a heat pump warm the house?

Refrigerant gas doesn’t actually create heat so much as facilitate a heating exchange with the nearby air. Heat gets produced as a byproduct of air conditioning systems. A heat pump merely takes advantage of that fact more readily than air conditioners do. During the heating cycle, refrigerant gas passes through a compressor valve which subjects it to a great deal of heat and pressure. It then moves into a compressor coil which shifts the gas into a liquid state. That process bleeds heat into the air surrounding the coils, as the gas lowers in temperature and the heat needs somewhere to go. The warm air can then be blown into your home with a fan.

With a simple air conditioning system, that process would take place outside, and the liquid refrigerant – still under pressure – would move into a second set of coils that would shift it back into a gas (pulling heat from the nearby air and facilitating the cooling process). Heat pumps allow both the indoor and the outdoor coils to serve both functions, meaning that you can heat the home as well as cooling it.

That process depends on specific levels of refrigerant, however, which are dictated by the precise kind of heat pump you have. When those levels drop, problems develop in the heat pump and you need to call in a service technician to address them. The Salt Lake City heating repair service technicians at Rentmeister Total Home Service can answer the question “how does the refrigerant in a heat pump warm the house?” then seal any leaks in the system and recharge your refrigerant to keep the heat pump functioning. Pick up the phone and give us a call to make an appointment today!

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