Many businesses seek to get the most value from their HVAC systems. Whether summer or winter, you’re sure to see your power bills increase as the furnace or air conditioner turns on. Many businesses, therefore, desire systems that are as efficient as possible. Unfortunately for companies that operate in older buildings, their current systems may simply not be efficient enough for the future. As you look for a solution to this problem, consider the benefits of a commercial heat pump. Below, we examine how heat pumps work, how a heat pump installation can help your business, and what to expect from a new installation.
How Heat Pumps Work
Heat pumps are an astoundingly efficient approach to temperature control when stacked next to standard forms such as forced air. In exchange for this efficiency, however, heat pumps sacrifice raw power for both heating and cooling. The reason for both qualities is the same. Specifically, heat pumps move heat from one area to another rather than generate new heat or cool air to enter into your system. During the summer, the system removes heat from your business and expels it outside. During the winter, this process reverses so that your business draws in heat from the exterior.
Your heat pump will use one of three vectors to transfer heat: air, water, and the earth. Commonly, heat pump systems will use air as the primary vector. Traditionally, such systems struggled in climates where extreme temperature fluctuation is the norm. Modern innovations have overcome that hurdle and now offer the means to manage the interior temperature in both warmer and colder climates. Regarding the alternatives, water-based systems function well with radiant heat systems, or you could install a hybrid system involving a reverse cycle chiller to take air heating or cooling through a water system.
Finally, geothermal heating systems promise tremendous energy savings, but they aren’t accessible to everyone. Your business must be near one of the specific spots with a natural heat source in the ground or nearby aquifer. Then, you must be willing to pay the significantly higher installation costs. However, if you do this, then you can achieve great results with your system for minimal ongoing costs.
The Efficiency Benefits of a Heat Pump Installation
As we mentioned above, getting a heat pump installation can help you achieve much greater energy efficiency. The primary reason you can save money on your monthly power bill is that you are not generating heat. Instead, your system manages a heat differential, allowing it to move from location to location. Combined with good insulation, you can achieve remarkable results both in terms of system effectiveness and overall efficiency.
In many cases, you can expect to see savings of at least 50%, and it’s not unusual to see 75% savings compared to your old system. In fact, some extreme cases can reduce heating and cooling costs to as little as 20% of what they were before. Obviously, any business would love to realize this amount of savings.
What to Expect Regarding a New Installation
Every benefit has its cost, and this is no less true regarding HVAC systems. If you pursue a heat pump installation for your business, be prepared to spend a significant amount of money up-front for the new installation. Heat pumps require distinct systems, so you will not be able to use your old system, and possibly even the ductwork cannot be used. Therefore, you’ll need new infrastructure. If you currently have water-based radiant heat, however, it may be possible to hook up a heat pump system with a reverse cycle chiller to take advantage of your current infrastructure.
Despite the added expense, however, rest assured that your business will save money in the long run. Over time, the incremental savings on your energy bill will accrue, eventually meeting and exceeding the installation cost. From that point on, your savings will be a pure benefit to your business.
Making the Decision Regarding a Heat Pump Installation
As a business owner or manager, you have experience making tough choices. Determining with whom to staff your business, what products or services to sell, how to structure your business, and what prices to charge are all crucial decisions. Fortunately, when it comes to clear savings on your power bills, the decision is more straightforward. Look at the information, do the math, and decide based on that. Most businesses can significantly benefit from a heat pump installation, but yours may be different. We invite you to speak with a qualified HVAC specialist today to learn more. Ultimately, your business deserves the best, most efficient system possible. With the right information, you can make a choice that can benefit your business for decades to come.