Heat Pump Facts

As you plan and design your new log home, one of the things you will need to think about is how you will heat and cool your new home.

When you begin to consider your options for heating and cooling, think about the average high and low temperatures in your area for January and July (usually the coolest and hottest months of the year). You will want to chose systems that operate at peak efficiency for your climate. For example, electric heat pumps are very inefficient below 32 degrees F and usually need a gas or oil back-up for colder temperatures.

Electric Heat Pump
An electric heat pump (air-air) extracts heat from outdoor air and transfers it inside where it is distributed throughout the log home via ducts. In the summer, the heat pump extracts heat from inside the house and sends it outside. A heat pump’s effectiveness and efficiency is directly tied to how well insulated the duct system is. Ducts that have gaps, leak air, and are not well insulated (especially in attics, garages, and other un-insulated areas of the home) are going to reduce the efficiency of your heat pump. As mentioned above, a heat pump is not efficient when the outside air temperature drops below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit). If you live in an area that routinely experiences temperatures below freezing then you would need a back-up system such as an oil or gas furnace.

Geothermal Heat Pump
Geothermal heat pumps work in a similar manner to electric heat pumps in that they heat the air in winter and can cool the air in summer. However, instead of extracting heat from the outside air, a geothermal heat pump extracts heat from the ground. Only a few feet below the earth’s surface, the temperature below ground remains at a consistent temperature of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit year round. If the outside air temperature is 45 degrees F and the ground temp is 55, then a heat pump that extracts heat from the air is going to work harder than a heat pump that is extracting heat from the ground. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a geothermal heat pump can reach an efficiency of 300%-600% on the coldest of winter nights as opposed to traditional air-air heat pumps which only reach efficiencies of 175%-250% on cool days. Geothermal heat pumps can also be used to provide your home with an almost unlimited supply of hot water as well. As with traditional electric heat pumps, your geothermal heat pump is only as efficient as your duct work. Keep your ducts sealed tight and insulate them where appropriate. Your new log home will be cozy and snug.

If you are interested in learning more about your heating options for your new log home, log cabin, or timber frame home, contact the professionals at Greene Ridge Log Homes.

Next week we will discuss other heating options for your new log home. Think, oil/gas furnaces and boilers, solar heating, wood stoves, pellet stoves, etc.