Many new innovations have made home heat pumps more energy-efficient and helped to lower power bills. Some of these new features are described below so that you can look out for them when you start shopping for your heat pump. Many new pumps now have two-speed compressors.
Unlike the compressors in approved models that operate only at full capacity, these new compressors shift settings to operate close to the optimal capacity needed to heat or cool the house at any given time. This not only reduces the unit's electrical consumption, it also reduces wear on the compressor, extending the life of the pump.
New models may also have dual-speed or variable-speed motors on their indoor and outdoor fans. The changeable settings on these fans keep the air inviting at a comfortable velocity, minimizing drafts while maximizing power savings. The noise advent from the indoor fans is also reduced since they are not always running at full speed.
Many new home pumps models also furnish hot water for baths and showers with a desuperheater. This highlight recovers waste heat when the pump is in cooling mode and uses it to heat water. These units can heat water two to three times more efficiently than quarterly water heaters.
Some heat pump models deliver relatively cool air during cold weather; to address this problem, many new units have back-up burners. These back-ups may use propane, natural gas and even coal and wood to run. In combination with the approved pump, this ideas can produce power savings, although these may vary depending on electricity and fuel costs in the area.