Harland B. Foster Inc
15 Bridge Street Great Barrington,, MA 01230

WHAT IS A HEAT PUMP?

HEAT PUMPS IN THE SOUTHERN BERKSHIRE COUNTY



Heat Pump - Heat Pump in Great Barrington, MA
So when I am out on an HVAC estimate and suggest a heat pump, many ask me "what is a Heat Pump". I also get "well, I have heard we can't use a Heat Pump in the Northeast". Please let me explain.

Heat Pumps are so named because they pump heat from one place to the other. The two places we get that heat from is the outdoor air and the ground. Both can be used for FREE (key point).

The refrigeration cycle absorbs heat from the outdoor air or ground in the evaporation part of the cycle. The refrigerant gas is compressed and the heat is released into water or air inside the house. Yes, there is still heat in the air at -20 deg F., even down to −459.67° F which is absolute zero. Ever notice the heat your refrigerator puts out in the back or at the bottom? That is the refrigeration cycle at work, a heat pump. It has absorbed the heat from the food and pumped the heat outside.
Heat pumps are not new to the northeast. They had made a major push into the market back in the oil embargo days of the late 70's. Man has learned a lot since then. In those days the heat pump could not make enough heat to keep a northern home warm when the outdoor temperature was below about 20 deg. F.

Now two things have happened. Insulation technology and building codes have gotten better and heat pumps have made major strides to wring out more heat from lower temperatures outside. All this has let Heat Pumps now lead the heating industry with the most efficient way of producing heat. Yes, THE MOST.

These systems absorb 3/4 of the heat from the outside air or water while you pay for the compressor operation, the last 1/4. So, the key point here is 3/4 of your energy for free!

These heat pumps are available in lots of configurations from central to ductless to geothermal systems. Our forte' is to match the proper system to your needs. At this point in 2019 we are focused on heat pump systems by Mitsubishi. 

One can see that heat pumps are very energy efficient. The government thinks so due to the tax incentives, and your utility thinks so due to the rebates. I think so, I have more than one in my home, and hopefully you will have a better outlook on these heating systems and agree. 
Thanks for your attention, Bill Foster.
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