Updated December 27,2023
Arizona is legendary for its deserts and heat. However, many people are surprised to learn that the state also experiences cold temperatures, especially during the winter months and at night. If you are looking for a new home heating and cooling system, you may wonder if a heat pump works well for Gilbert’s climate.
How Well Do Heat Pumps Work in Arizona?
The short answer is very well. Heat pumps are effective here because Arizona is a warm state that has a moderate cool season. Heat pumps work best in climates where temperatures during the cool season stay between 20 degrees and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Thankfully, in Gilbert, Arizona, the temperatures rarely dip this low.
A heat pump works by transferring thermal energy from one place to another. Heat naturally travels to colder places. You can see this if you open your windows during the winter. The warm air inside your home travels to where it’s cooler, making the air inside your home cool.
When you install a heat pump in Arizona, it will use the same process but in reverse. It takes the warm air from a cold area, like the area outside your home, and pushes it to a warm area, like inside your home. If you’re interested in learning more about heat pump installation and seeing if it is right for you, our technicians at A/C Doctors would be happy to discuss your heating and cooling options.
Benefits of a Heat Pump Installation:
- Heat pumps are eco-friendly
- You’ll save money on energy bills.
- Heat pump installations from a pro are quick
- Great at maintaining a consistent temperature in your home
Money Savings Make Heat Pumps a Great Option for Homes in Arizona
Across the country, the average household spends over $2,000 a year on energy bills. Up to 50% of that money is used for heating and cooling costs. Heat pumps can deliver heating and cooling effectively and reduce energy consumption by an average of 20-40%.
Because heat pumps transfer heat from one place to another instead of producing heat through combustion, this means that they are more effective than a conventional HVAC system. An air source heat pump pushes air over a coil to perform heat exchange. Heat pumps also have a reversing valve that allows the unit to provide both heating and cooling.
If you’re using your heat pump during the summer, it can work just about as effectively as a central AC unit and much better than window AC units. However, where heat pumps shine is in their ability to save you money by reducing the cost of heating. They can save between 20-70% on your annual heating bills in addition to further savings through reduced maintenance expenses. Additionally, they save you money because they eliminate the need for natural gas or other fuels to be delivered to your home.
However, to know how much money you can save using a heat pump, you will need a professional assessment from the experienced installers at A/C Doctors. Factors that will impact how much money you will save by using a heat pump include the size of your home, its location, and the efficiency of your old heating system.
Ease of Maintenance Makes Heat Pumps the Perfect Choice for Arizona Homes
Heat pumps are easy to maintain because they utilize the same components for both cooling and heating. If your home or business has an air conditioner and a furnace, there are two units providing heating and cooling that use different fuel sources and energy sources.
Additionally, the mechanical operations of a furnace and air conditioner are drastically different, requiring a separate set of skills on the part of technicians. However, with a heat pump, the same components and processes used to cool the home during the summer are reversed to heat the home during the winter.
In contrast, furnaces and air conditioners are complex pieces of machinery used for either heating or cooling. Multiple manufacturers each produce a unique design for their heating and cooling models. It can be challenging for even the most experienced HVAC technician to have every replacement part needed to fix all furnace and air conditioning problems.
A heat pump has fewer parts than what is found in an air conditioning unit and furnace. Your repair technician will likely have the replacement part on hand when something breaks. Because of their simpler design, heat pumps can typically be fixed with just one maintenance or repair visit. Heaters and air conditioners may require several visits to replace parts when they break.
Better Safety Makes Heat Pumps the Perfect Choice for Arizona Homes
Heat pumps produce fewer safety issues. They don’t burn propane or gas furnaces. Instead, they rely on electricity to move heat from one place to another without needing a large amount of energy. This means that a heat pump has fewer safety concerns than an electric furnace that relies on high-voltage currents. In general, a heat pump offers minimal danger from electricity and no danger from propane or natural gas or its byproducts.
A Long Life Span Makes Heat Pumps the Heating and Cooling Option of Choice in Arizona
If properly maintained, heat pumps can last for an average of 15 years and may even last for 20 years or more. There are multiple types of heat pumps, but the most common are air-source, water-source, and dual-source pumps. An air-source heat pump transfers air between the outside environment and indoors. A water-source pump pulls warmer temperatures from underground. A dual-source unit combines the best of both air- and water-source pumps. Out of the three kinds, a dual-source pump will last the longest.
Environmentally Conscious Residents of Arizona Choose Heat Pumps
A high-efficiency heat pump will only consume a small amount of electricity as it converts to heat. During this process, CO2 is emitted. However, the amount of CO2 is drastically less than that emitted by directly burning fossil fuels, such as when using a natural gas furnace.
The effectiveness of heat pumps varies based on the climate. Heat pumps do not work as well in the cold, increasing energy costs and CO2 production. However, since Arizona has mild winters, it has the perfect climate to allow heat pumps to work at peak efficiency, producing the maximum amount of heating while creating a reduced amount of CO2 gas.
Heat pumps can be advantageous and are seen by many in Arizona as a smart long-term investment. Running costs can save you money on your energy bills. The heat pump itself is mechanically simple, reducing maintenance expenses. Heat pumps do not use a lot of electricity, so they will not drastically impact your electric bill.
Trusted HVAC Services in Gilbert, Arizona
Whether you need to install or repair a heat pump or have other HVAC services performed, you can trust A/C Doctors to be there for you when you need assistance. A/C Doctors is family owned and operated with more than 20 years of experience in the heating and cooling industry. We are Pearl and NATE certified. We take pride in our awards and certifications, as they represent our commitment to our clients.
Our services include air conditioning and heating maintenance, installation, and repair. We specialize in ductless mini split systems and indoor air quality testing. Contact A/C Doctors today to learn more about our products and services. We look forward to working with you.
