DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Heat Pumps’

What’s the Difference Between Central Air Conditioning and a Heat Pump?

Monday, August 19th, 2013

One of the great luxuries that homeowners enjoy today is the wide selection of cooling systems available for installation in their homes. There is no need to feel as though you have to stick with what you know. As energy prices continue to rise, more and more homeowners are looking for more efficient, effective ways in which to cool their homes. If you are interested in exploring your air conditioning options, contact the Bolingbrook, IL air conditioning professionals at DuAll Heating & Cooling. We have many different air conditioning systems for you to choose from, and we can help you determine which is best for your home. Here is some information to consider about what sets a heat pump apart from central AC systems.

Here Are the Differences Between Central AC and Heat Pumps

Heat pumps and central air conditioning systems are actually very similar in many ways. Both feature an outdoor condenser unit, and both use a ductwork system to distribute cooled air throughout your home. The big difference between the two is the way in which they work to cool that air. Traditional split central air conditioners rely on the consumption of fuel in order to cool air. Heat pumps, on the other hand, utilize the heat transfer process. It is this innovative operation that allows them to operate so efficiently.

By transferring ambient heat out of your home (as well as back in when the heating season arrives), a heat pump is able to cool down your house while consuming just a small amount of electricity. The less energy your air conditioning system consumes, the less money you have to spend to operate that system. This means that you can cool your home more affordably and in a more environmentally friendly way. Contact a member of our team today if you are interested in learning more about the benefits of cooling your home with a heat pump.

Stop paying too much money to cool your home down. Schedule a heat pump or air conditioning installation with the Bolingbrook, IL air conditioning professionals at DuAll Heating & Cooling. No matter how you decide to cool your home, we can help you do so in the most efficient and reliable way possible.

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What Can Cause a Heat Pump to Make Noise?

Monday, November 26th, 2012

It is quite normal for heat pumps to make noises. This is especially true in the cold winter months. Most heat pumps have valves that carry out the task of reversing the flow of refrigerant when you switch between the cooling and heating modes. When the pump goes into defrost during winters, the valve is made to shift position. This is accompanied by a whooshing sound that persists for a few seconds. The compressor tends to get much louder after this. Another time when you may hear sounds is during shutdown when Freon pressure tends to equalize. Both of these are totally normal.

Another case where you may hear loud sounds coming from your heat pump is when the outdoor unit shuts off or starts running. Scroll compressors have a tendency to do this in a more noticeable manner. Similarly, some outdoor units tend to create a buzzing sound even when they are not running. This sound is created by the 24-volt reversing valve coil. Since this doesn’t waste any energy, it is nothing to be worried about. The sound of vibration is another common complaint and is quite difficult to get rid of. Rubber tubing can help in this case, but the vibration is not really doing any harm to your pump.

On the other hand, if you hear very loud sounds which resemble metal hitting metal, it may be time to worry. These sounds are often created when the fan blades hit against ice, wires or even tubing. If this is the case, you need to shut the unit off at once. This is a bad sign and can damage the fan and even the motor to an irreversible state. In fact, a misplaced tube can hit the fan blades and also cause a leak leading the Freon to flow out. Grinding or squealing sounds may point to a similar problem that needs to be fixed promptly. So if you hear any of these sounds, make sure you shut the pump off immediately and call for professional help.

Anything including low refrigerant charge, a faulty reverse valve, and defective motors or compressor valves can cause this problem. So make sure you get it checked by a Naperville heating professional if the problem persists.

Call the Naperville Ductless Mini Split experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling to find out what your options are. Contact DuAll Heating & Cooling today!

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How to Get the Most Out of Your Heat Pump This Winter

Monday, November 12th, 2012

Do you get excited about your utility bills? It’s unlikely. With the price of energy rising, people in Naperville are looking for every way to reduce the amount of energy that they use. There are many ways that you can cut corners when it comes to your energy consumption. We thought that it would be helpful for our customers in Naperville if we assembled some easy ways to get the most out of your heat pump as you’re trying to stay warm this winter. If you’re interested in learning more about these tactics, contact the Naperville heating professionals at DuAll Heating and Cooling.

Insulation

Insulation is by far one of the best ways to improve the efficiency of your home. The principle is pretty basic: keep more of the hot air inside your home. To maximize your efforts, start with your ceiling insulation. Climb up into the attic where the insulation for your ceiling is typically exposed. If you notice that there are areas that are thin, old or that aren’t touching completely touching the ceiling joists, it might be time to call a heating contractor. You should also check the insulation in your walls and floor as well.

Seal Your Doors and Windows

Another place where heat loss occurs is around door jams and window sills. You can have your heating contractor inspect these areas and suggest an insulation method for them. You should also check the access door to your attic and to your basement.

Seal Your Ducts

Another great way to improve efficiency is to have your ducts inspected. Your ducts are the veins of your heat pump, delivering hot air to all the rooms that need it. If there are holes, cracks or leaks in your ducts then that hot air that you spent money heating is just drifting outside.

Get Your Heat Pump Maintained Before the Winter

A great way to make sure that your heat pump is running at peak efficiency is to have it regularly inspected, repaired and maintained. Your heating technician will be able to detect small repairs that could be decreasing the energy efficiency of your heat pump. They can also replace any worn belts and lubricate the fan’s bearings to make sure that it is working well.

If you have any questions about any of these services, then contact DuAll Cooling and Heating. We would love to visit your home in Naperville to help you get the most out of your heat pump. Reducing your energy consumption is always a good thing. Call us today!

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