The energy efficiency workhorse of domestic heating & cooling.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Since the introduction of heat pumps into the residential market, they have become the energy efficiency workhorse of domestic heating and cooling. Heat pumps and air conditioners actually operate in similar ways, but transfer heat in different directions. Air conditioners use refrigerants to collect interior heat and vent it outside, while heat pumps are designed to transfer heat either way, depending on whether they are called upon to provide heating or cooling.

Modern heat pumps are designed to…

function efficiently in nearly all temperature ranges, including the seasonal extremes predictably found in Wisconsin weather. Heat pumps are powered by a relatively small amount of electricity and therefore can be quite efficient when compared to other electric resistance heaters (like baseboard heat). High-efficiency heat pumps also often qualify for federal tax credits and other energy rebate programs.

Variable refrigerant flow systems.

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems offer energy savings by allowing simultaneous heating and cooling in different locations in a home. A single VRF delivers conditioned refrigerant to each inside zone or location to either heat or cool. These systems are ductless and consist of a large exterior VRF unit that is connected to interior condenser units in each zone or room. The exterior and interior units are connected via conduit pipes. The attractive interior units come in several configurations and may be installed as ceiling or wall units. These VRF units feature high-efficiency heating and cooling as well as wireless precision controls. VRF systems offer flexibility in location and function at high efficiency under most temperature ranges.

Air source heat pumps.

Instead of refrigerant, air source heat pumps draw heat from the ambient air around the exterior unit. These can be larger units connected to duct systems within the home. Heat pumps are rated using a pair of efficiency averaging scores:

• Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)

This measurement rates the heat pump's heating efficiency: a higher score indicates better energy savings. Heat pumps manufactured after 2005 are required to have a 7.7 HSPF. Heat pumps can rate as high as 13 HSPF.

• Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)

This measurement rates the cooling efficiency of heat pumps. Like the HSPF, the higher the SEER number, the better the efficiency. The minimum SEER score for heat pumps on the market today is 13.0, but heat pump manufacturers like Carrier offer heat pumps with SEER ratings of up to 20. Call us and let our CTC comfort specialists help you pick the best SEER rated model for your home and comfort level.

Geothermal heat pumps.

The earth stores an amazing amount of continuously renewed energy just below the soil's surface. Geothermal systems efficiently draw from that energy and naturally convert it into conditioned air for heating and cooling homes. Modern geothermal heat pumps work perfectly with either a ducted forced air system (water-to-air or air-to-air) or a hydronic water based system (air-to-water). Carrier and other CTC offered brands also offer a "split system" version of this technology to enhance an existing heating or cooling system.