When you are comparing air conditioning systems, you may look at a few of the key features of the systems that interest you. While the price and size of the system are vital, we feel that the efficiency rating deserves just as much attention. Checking the efficiency rating of an air conditioner is key to making sure you save money each summer for years to come. And one of the most efficient units available is the heat pump.
Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog : Archive for the ‘Heat Pumps’ Category
Heat Pumps Are Efficient Air Conditioning Alternatives
Monday, June 15th, 20153 Components of Heat Pumps That Make Them Different from ACs
Monday, April 6th, 2015When describing how heat pumps work to people unfamiliar with them, it is easiest to compare them to air conditioners. The two systems operate in almost the same fashion, and they look identical on the outside to someone who doesn’t have professional HVAC knowledge. In essence, a heat pump is an air conditioning system that can switch the direction it moves heat. The outdoor and indoor coils can swap functions, so either coil can release or absorb heat depending on what the homeowner needs.
However, there are a few key internal differences in a heat pump that allows it to alter the direction of heat exchange. Below are three of these different components that set apart the dual-action of a heat pump from the single action of an air conditioner.
If you have a heat pump that needs service, or you are interested in heat pump installation, call the Colorado Springs, CO HVAC experts at Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning.
#1. The reversing valve
This is the essential piece that sets a heat pump apart from an air conditioner. The reversing valve is what permits the heat pump to move refrigerant in a different direction, so that it brings heat to the indoors instead of removing it to the outdoors. The reversing valve sits on the refrigerant line where it leaves the compressor, and depending on how it is set, it will either send the refrigerant to the outdoor coils or the indoor coils first.
#2. The suction line accumulator
When a heat pump operates in heating mode, it uses less refrigerant. The suction line accumulator, which is attached between the reversing valve and the compressor, stores the additional refrigerant when the heat pump switches over to heating and prevents it from re-entering the compressor.
#3. The crank-case heater
This heater sits atop the compressor and serves to protect the compressor from any cold refrigerant that could migrate back into it. The heater evaporators any liquid refrigerant still in the compressor and sends it back into the line so it will not cause damage to the compressor.
The staff at Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning is glad to help you out with any problems you may have with your heat pump. We offer repairs, maintenance, and new installations. We have more than 40 years of experience keeping homes comfortable no matter the season.
Why Inspection Is an Important Part of Heat Pump Maintenance
Friday, March 13th, 2015Spring is just about here, and while it will likely be a few more weeks before we switch from heating to cooling, it’s always a good idea to get your heat pump ahead with a spring maintenance appointment. There are a lot of different tasks performed during a maintenance visit, but one of the first and very important ones is the thorough inspection of your heat pump system in Peyton, CO. Many people equate maintenance with a quick once-over, but that is not the case when you hire professionals to perform maintenance on your heat pump, like the ones at Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning.
The Purpose of Inspection
The first step your technician will take during a maintenance appointment is to thoroughly inspect your heat pump system. This includes the entire unit, the valves, electrical connections and connection to ductwork, if there are any. The reason for this is simple: thorough inspection helps the technician to detect any existing or developing problems with your heat pump system. One of the benefits of a maintenance appointment is to help prevent repair, and a thorough inspection can reveal such things as loose, frayed or corroded wiring, dirty air filters, low refrigerant levels and problems with your fan. Small things, like the wiring and a loose fan belt, will be repaired during the appointment. If there is a larger issues, such as a refrigerant leak, you’ll be alerted so that you can make additional plans to have the problem repaired. This kind of attention to detail helps you get ahead of potential repairs and manage existing ones before they can lead to malfunction or even shutdown of your heat pump.
Without inspection, your technician can’t get a clear idea of what’s happening with your heat pump system. The inspection process also allows the technician to see what has to be cleaned, adjusted and lubricated during the maintenance appointment. Your heat pump runs year-round, so it’s recommended that you schedule your heat pump for maintenance bi-annually.
If it’s been more than 6 months since your last maintenance appointment, call the experts at Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning today!
