Heat Pumps & Water Heaters
The heat pump is often referred to as a “reverse-cycle air conditioner.” This is because it has the unique ability to reverse its mode from heating to cooling and vice versa on demand by means of a refrigerant reversing valve installed inside the unit.
Through many years of research, heat pump manufacturers have developed an efficient, yet relatively inexpensive system that can be installed as a stand-alone unit or as an add-on to an existing heating system.
There are two common styles of heat pumps: air-source and water-source. The air-source heat pump utilizes the outside air for its heat source and requires a back-up heating system to compensate for the periods when the outdoor temperatures, monitored by a sensor in the condenser, drop below a set point programmed into the indoor thermostat. The water-source heat pump requires a constant supply of water by means of a well or using a closed pipe loop installed in the earth. Heat is removed from the water and dumped back into a pond or circulated back into the earth in the closed loop system. Back-up heating is added to this type of unit to supply heat only when the water supply is interrupted.
Electric water heaters use a resistive element to heat water and are termed 100% efficient. This means that every unit of electricity is transferred into heat with no losses. The advantage of an electric water heater is that roof or wall penetrations and combustion air are not needed.
Heat pumps and electric water heaters are recommended by Dixie Power and generous rebates are available to help offset the costs.
Contact the Member Service Department at 435-673-3297 for more information.