If you believe your heat pump does nothing more than control the climate in your home throughout the seasons, you’re in for a surprise. Though most people love their heat pump for comfort and energy savings, it is also a silent comrade working behind the scenes to help provide better air quality. Let’s look a bit closer at how heat pumps are used to help clean the air you breathe every day.
Heat Pumps Constantly Circulate and Filter Air
One of the big reasons air inside your home can feel stuffy or stale is that it is not circulating. Heat pumps help tremendously because they continue moving air, no matter which mode they’re in. That movement then forces air through filters, where dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne particles are caught and held instead of continuing to float through the air.
No Combustion Means Cleaner Air
Conventional furnaces burn fuel in order to produce heat. This process can sometimes release small pollutants or even gases such as carbon monoxide if something goes wrong. But heat pumps do not burn anything. Instead, they transfer heat from one location to another via refrigerant and electricity. This process is much cleaner and will prevent indoor contamination from toxic combustion gases, and this is especially helpful when children, immune-compromised individuals, or the elderly are present in the house, since they are most vulnerable.
Humidity Control That Helps Your Health
Heat pumps are good for more than just moving heat. They can help regulate moisture in indoor environments as well. In summer, a heat pump extracts moisture from the air as it cools. That is a tremendous help in homes where conditions can cause mold or mildew to grow. Inhaling mold spores can cause coughing, itchy eyes, or difficulty with thinking, and problems can be worse for those who have compromised health.
During the winter, heat pumps are better at maintaining moderate humidity than some traditional heating systems that can dry the air out. Balanced humidity can keep your skin and sinuses from becoming too irritated, which will keep nose bleeds at bay. Such conditions can also prevent airborne particles from spreading as easily.
Maintenance Is Key to Clean Air
You cannot just put in a heat pump and hope for the best. Like any system, it requires maintenance. That includes replacing or cleaning your filters, scheduling regular service calls, and ensuring your ducts are clean and sealed. A dirty or neglected heat pump can accumulate and blow dust the way any other system does. But when it’s kept clean, it can help contribute to a cleaner, healthier home.
If you are in the market to purchase a new heating and cooling solution, schedule a consultation with an HVAC technician. Contact R Buck to see if a heat pump is right for your Pueblo, CO home.