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Investing in a heat pump is a great way to cut your carbon footprint and reduce your energy costs. In Fort Payne, AL, heat pumps are easily the most cost-effective heating solution available. With outside temperatures that rarely dip below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Dekalb County offers the perfect conditions for optimum heat pump efficiency. Surprisingly, the outstanding performance of heat pumps is even unmatched by electric furnaces. However, both options do come with their own benefits and drawbacks.
Just How Efficient Are Heat Pumps?
When used for cooling, heat pumps are functionally identical to air conditioners. They harness the warm indoor air and route it outside. In winter, heat pumps work in reverse. They source heat from outside the home and then distribute it throughout the building’s interior.
Some of the latest heat pumps can produce three to four times the amount of heat energy they consume in electrical energy. According to the United States Department of Energy (DOE), in the right environments, heat pumps can reduce home energy costs by as much as 50%. However, when outside temperatures plummet, these units may struggle to harness enough outdoor heat. Rarely a problem in Fort Payne, this causes heat pumps to both run longer and work harder.
When outside temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the efficiency of most heat pumps gradually declines. During an especially cold winter, you might not get the same substantial energy savings from a heat pump that it provides in warmer weather.
How Much Can an Electric Heater Help You Save?
As per the DOE, switching from a natural gas or oil-fired furnace to an electric model could result in energy savings of up to $815 annually. Electric furnaces convert all of the energy they use into heat energy.
While this is certainly impressive, it doesn’t match the outstanding performance of a heat pump. Consistency is the only area in which electric furnaces outshine heat pumps. When outside temperatures fall below freezing, an electric furnace will maintain the same level of efficiency.
We’ve been proudly serving Fort Payne, AL, and the surrounding communities since 1981. We offer heating, cooling, and duct cleaning services. We also provide cutting-edge indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions, ductless mini-splits, and Wi-Fi thermostats. To schedule an appointment, contact Bryant’s Heating & Cooling today!
