Despite its name, heat pumps do not only provide heat to the home – they can cool it also.
With Scottish summers getting warmer and warmer each year, more and more people are considering ways to cool their homes.
While many may consider getting an air conditioning unit to cool their home during the warm summers, a heat pump may be another option to consider.
Read on to find out more about heat pump’s summer use.
What Is a Heat Pump?
Heat pumps are one of the most effective and cost-efficient heating sources to date. They are a great way to not only reduce your energy bills but also your carbon footprint.
They work by taking heat from the ground or the air surrounding a building and increasing its temperature to heat homes and businesses. However, they can also be reversed to remove heat from these buildings to keep them cool instead.
You can read more about the history of heat pumps here.
How Do Heat Pumps Work During the Summer
Heat pumps work the same as an air conditioning unit. During the summer, your heat pump can extract heat from the home to keep it cool.
Just check before getting a heat pump that the model you are looking at can be reversed to cool down your home.
While Scottish summers are getting warmer, winters are still cold. This is why a heat pump may be a better investment for Scottish homeowners than your standard air conditioner.
This is due to heat pump’s dual purpose of being able to both cool and heat your home without the need for an additional heating system. This makes it a worthwhile investment over air conditioners for those living in climates with warmer summers and colder winters.
Heat pump vs. Air Conditioner
Why should you choose a heat pump over a typical air conditioning unit to cool your home during the warm summer months? Here’s why:
Efficiency
Heat pumps are more efficient than other heating systems, producing about three times more energy than they take in. To put it in comparison, your typical modern gas boiler runs at around 90% efficiency while heat pumps run at 300% efficiency.
They are also far more energy efficient than air conditioners meaning you will save more on your energy bills
Costs
The upfront cost of heat pumps is far higher than air conditioners but again that cost may be worth it in the long term due to its high energy efficiency.
Air conditioners are the opposite, they have lower upfront costs but may be more costly in the long run due to their higher running expenses.
While this article focuses on their summer use, it is still important to consider their use all year round in terms of cost. This is due to heat pumps not requiring a separate heating system to heat your home compared to an air conditioner that does.
Environment
Heat pumps are a clean, green way to cool your home. It is one of the best ways to heat your home while also being environmentally friendly.
While modern air conditioners are more environmentally friendly than older air conditioners, they still aren’t as clean as heat pumps. If you are environmentally conscious then this may factor in your decision.
Lifespan
Heat pumps also have a longer lifespan. They last of around 20-25 years compared to air conditioners which have a lifespan of around 15-20.
Again with their long lifespan heat pumps may be more cost efficient in the long term compared to an air conditioner.
Getting a Heat Pump
At Homeshield Scotland, we have been providing homeowners with ways to make their homes more energy efficient.
We have been successful in helping our customers through the process of applying for free funding from Home Energy Scotland, who are funded by the Scottish Government.
Check your eligibility here.
