In its simplest explanation, a heat pump can be thought of as being an air conditioner that has the ability to work in reverse (also see: How Does AC Work?). An air conditioner works by using a refrigerant to trap the heat inside of your home, and expel it outside using a condensing unit (if you don't know what these terms mean, it's ok...it's not important. If you want to know, try: Split vs. Packaged Air Conditioners; What's the Difference?).
A heat pump works in exactly the same way, only it has a little trick up its sleeve...the reversing valve. A reversing valve allows your heat pump to work as an air conditioner when it is hot outside. Then, it can reverse the flow of its refrigerant and heat your home when it's cold out! Sounds great, right? But there's a catch...your heat pump temperature range.
Your heat pump is not effective below a certain temperature range, which is why they are more popular in the south. We'll discuss more about that in the next section...but then, you wouldn't have asked the question, at what temperature is a heat pump not effective had you not known that, right?
Why Heat Pumps Don't Work Below Certain Temperatures
Think about it...heat pump temperature ranges exist because of how the heat pump actually works. Heat pumps - like air conditioners - work by removing heat from the air (instead of creating heat, like a furnace does). But if it's negative 22 degrees out like it gets here in Bozeman, Montana, then there isn't much heat to take out of the air to heat your home, right? That's why heat pumps don't work well below freezing temperatures.
· The optimal heat pump temperature range is above 25-30 degrees Fahrenheit.
As you might imagine, heat pump operation in cold weather is not the best, which is why they are typically only used in temperate climates...think beaches, palm trees, and oranges. But heat pumps also have one huge benefit that furnaces lack:
· Heat pumps work in areas that don't have access to natural gas or propane...because they are electric!
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