Multi-Stage Heat Pumps Increase Comfort, Reduce Operating Costs

Heat pumps are a popular choice for many homeowners today in San Jose. These heating and cooling systems provide an energy-efficient way to heat and cool your home with one system. As technology continues to develop, different heat pump options enter the market and consumers have more choices. Our team at Air Care Heating and Cooling wants you to understand the options available today.

How a Heat Pump Works

A heat pump essentially works by removing heat from inside your home and blowing it outside during the summer. In the winter, the heat pump works in reverse, taking heat from outside and transferring it to inside your home.

Since a heat pump operates as both heater and air conditioner, it has two efficiency ratings. According to Consumer Reports, these ratings are superior to conventional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Most heat pumps have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) rating of between 13 and more than 20 to measure cooling efficiency. Heating efficiency is measured by a Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF) rating, which usually falls between 7.7 and 10.

Parts of a Heat Pump

The two parts of a heat pump are the air handler and the compressor. The air handler includes a blower, which moves the heated or cooled air through the air duct network of your California home. Blowers are available with three motor types. A fixed-speed blower can only be turned on or off while a multi-speed blower has different settings. The most efficient blower is a variable-speed blower that adjusts its volume based on your heating or cooling requirements.

The compressor is the second component of the heat pump, and this is the part that determines how many “stages” a heat pump offers. Originally, heat pumps were simply single-stage, which meant they could be turned on or off.

Over the years, manufacturers began offering two-stage heat pumps, which allow you to run your air conditioner at full blast during the hottest days or on a lower setting for milder temperatures. Today, multi-stage heat pumps are available and offer even more increments between off and maximum capacity.

Advantages of Multistage Heat Pumps

Just like the blower, a one-stage or single-stage heat pump can be set only to on or off. That means you either turn the unit off or have it running full blast. Often, this means your home is a little too warm when your heat pump is off and a little too cold when it’s blowing at maximum capacity. Multi-stage heat pumps, on the other hand, can cool at full blast on the hottest days but can also be turned down incrementally to accommodate milder weather.

These multi-stage heat pumps may sound like they are running all the time, but they are actually more energy efficient. Unlike a single-stage unit that consumes a lot of energy to fire up to maximum capacity every time, a multi-stage unit uses just a little energy to top off your cooling needs.

Multi-stage heat pumps also do a better job at controlling the humidity levels in your home, making both the temperature and humidity stay at a constant level. That makes your indoor home environment more comfortable for your whole family.

Although a multi-stage heat pump can be more expensive to purchase, it will save you money with your ongoing energy bills in the long run.

Selecting the Best-Sized Heat Pump

Heat pumps come in different sizes. It’s important for you to select the right-sized heat pump for your home. If you pick a heat pump that’s too large, you may keep your home icy cold but burn through a great deal of energy. If you select a heat pump that’s too small, it may be overworking nearly all the time and fail to drop the indoor temperature enough.

Contact Our Heat Pump Experts Today

Talk with our professionals at Air Care Heating and Cooling in San Jose, CA, to help you select the heat pump best matched to your family’s needs. Our team is well versed in all makes and models and can answer any questions you may have. We want to help you make the smartest decision for your home and family. Call us at 408-463-6957 or request service online.