Ft Worth Air Conditioner, Furnace or Heat Pump?

If you are in the market for a new cooling or heating system for your home you are probably trying to decide whether an air conditioner-furnace combination or a heat pump is the best option. There are several advantages and disadvantages to each option and by closely looking at the pros and cons you can make an informed decision when choosing the best system for your needs.

Pro: The price of oil and gas has jumped in recent years, therefore using a Ft Worth heat pump is a pro because they operate using electricity. The cost of electricity has also decreased over the years due to the use of hydroelectric dams making electricity markedly lower than petroleum in price.

Con: Purchasing a heat pump may still increase your utility bill because petroleum is still cheaper than electricity in some areas.

Note: Check the prices of the energy sources in your location to see which one is the more affordable solution.

Pro: In moderate climates which have naturally mild temperatures all year both heat pumps and
furnace systems work very well.

Con: You will need to buy a backup furnace if your location is subject to freezing winters for an extra layer of heating. In this instance buying a regular air conditioner and a furnace would be a more ideal situation because the cost of these appliances are a bit high.

Note: Do your research before you purchase because some brands heat well even in colder climates.

Outside air is used by an air
heat pump as a heat source or a heat sink. Heat is absorbed in one location and released in another by the use of a compressor, condenser and a refrigerant system.

The air heat pump's essential component's are:

1. A compressor that raises the outside air's temperature. It has the same operation as a refrigerator but in an inverse way.


2. A heat exchanger which extracts heat directly form the air.


3. A system that transfers the extracted heat (usually heating tubes and radiators for example).

The effects of either cooling or heating is accomplished by the refrigerant moving through the heat pump's components and coils. A compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporator are all used together to perform the transfer of the state of the refrigerant (gas to liquid and vice verse). In a room the fans pull the air in and the refrigerant acts as a cooler or heater for the coils.

When the cold liquid refrigerant passes through the outdoor evaporator coils the air temperature from the outside will cause it to start boiling. The outside air is then passed over the coils and the large amount of energy that is needed for the liquid to transform into vapor is obtained. The compressor then draws this newly formed vapor in. The temperature of the vapor is increased to 100 degrees Celsius and the temperature can be further increased by adding more compression.

An extremely cold compressed liquid refrigerant is obtained after all of the further processes have finished. The cycle is repeated when the refrigerant passes through the expansion valve and turns back to it's initial state.