| Heat Pumps |
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An air to air heat pump is a machine that employs refrigerant, a compressor, a reversing valve and optimized heat exchangers, to remove heat from the air supply in one location and deliver that heat to another location. The reversing valve switches the direction of refrigerant flow through the cycle based on the seasonal heating and cooling needs of the home or business. In summer, the heat pump acts as a traditional air conditioner. In winter, it removes heat from the outdoors and delivers it inside. Because the outdoor coil (condenser) and indoor coil (evaporator) each act as a heat exchanger and must be able to swap functions, they are optimized to perform adequately in both modes. As such, the efficiency of a heat pump is typically slightly less than two separately-optimized machines. Air to air heat pumps become less efficient as the surrounding air temperature drops, so they operate most efficiently in milder winter climates - making them a superior choice to electric resistance heaters or furnaces that operate on expensive propane gas. Mattex Service Company recommends Trane heat pumps as a great solution for your home comfort system when compared to the very expensive heating choices offered by propane or electric strip heating. Each unit is quality built to withstand the rigors of year-round operation, and have been proven to give years of dependable and trouble-free operation. Whether it is the hottest day of the summer, or the coldest day of winter, Trane heat pumps work day in and day out to keep your family in premium comfort.  Heat Pumps (Geothermal) 
Geothermal heat pumps (sometimes referred to as GeoExchange, earth-coupled, ground-source, or water-source heat pumps) have been in use since the late 1940s. Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) use the constant temperature of the earth as the exchange medium instead of the outside air temperature. This allows the system to reach fairly high efficiencies (300%-600%) on the coldest of winter nights, compared to 175%-250% for air-source heat pumps on cool days. While many parts of the country experience seasonal temperature extremes—from scorching heat in the summer to sub-zero cold in the winter—a few feet below the earth's surface the ground remains at a relatively constant temperature. Depending on latitude, ground temperatures range from 45°F (7°C) to 75°F (21°C). Like a cave, this ground temperature is warmer than the air above it during the winter and cooler than the air in the summer. The GHP takes advantage of this by exchanging heat with the earth through a ground heat exchanger. As with any heat pump, geothermal and water-source heat pumps are able to heat, cool, and, if so equipped, supply the house with hot water. Some models of geothermal systems are available with two-speed compressors and variable fans for more comfort and energy savings. Relative to air-source heat pumps, they are quieter, last longer, need little maintenance, and do not depend on the temperature of the outside air. A dual-source heat pump combines an air-source heat pump with a geothermal heat pump. These appliances combine the best of both systems. Dual-source heat pumps have higher efficiency ratings than air-source units, but are not as efficient as geothermal units. The main advantage of dual-source systems is that they cost much less to install than a single geothermal unit, and work almost as well. Please feel free to call our office for more information or questions about Geothermal heat pumps, or view the link below.  |
