When it's time to replace your current HVAC system, consider a heat pump for heating and air in Cincinnati. Heat pumps have been available for decades and used primarily in warmer climates. However, new technology has made them a viable appliance for year-round conditioning in our region.

A heat pump works by moving heat, which is made possible with the help of a reversing valve and refrigerant. In the winter, it extracts heat from the air to warm the refrigerant. In the summer, the process reverses, and the refrigerant collects the heat from your home and takes it outdoors. 

The challenge of using a heat pump for heating and air in Cincinnati lies in the heating mode. When temperatures fall below the heat pump's balance point, it's less capable of extracting enough heat to warm homes. Ways exist to circumvent this issue, which include:

• Choosing a high efficiency heat pump. Heat pumps have two energy efficiency ratings. The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) is its cooling efficiency; the minimum stands at 13. The heating season performance factor (HSPF) refers to heating efficiency, and that minimum is 7.7. In our region, choosing a higher HSPF will help it perform better when temperatures fall into the 30s and lower. 
• Selecting a heat pump with a scroll compressor. Scroll compressors are more efficient than piston compressors. They can put out 12- to 15-degree warmer air than the piston compressor. Such a compressor also raises the HSPF rating.
• Following through with a top-notch installation. The heat pump needs to be professionally sized using Manual J software and installed for maximum efficiency. It also helps to improve your home's energy efficiency by increasing insulation and sealing air leaks before selecting the right-sized heat pump.
• Using an adaptive recovery thermostat. This thermostat works exclusively with heat pumps and prohibits the auxiliary heating element from turning on. Instead, it overrides the thermostat's settings to keep the temperature from falling below the capacity of the heat pump to warm the air back up.

To learn more about heating and air in Cincinnati, contact JonLe Heating & Cooling. We've provided HVAC services for greater Cincinnati for more than 50 years. 

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