When you live in the Daytona Area, you get really used to high humidity. When you combine this with Daytona’s high temperature averages of 88°F – 90°F, it can easily feel like up to 100°F. Living in humid climates like this might make you question how effective heat pumps can be.
Before you write them off as ineffective, read through this article first. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that heat pumps are more efficient than standard air conditioners. Plus, they deal with humidity surprisingly well.
Heat Pumps Save Money
The top priority for most homeowners is saving money. According to CNET, the majority of Americans would save money if they made the switch to a heat pump. In fact, a study of 550,000 representative households discovered that heat pumps provide between 62-97% reduction in energy costs.
What About Humidity?
If you’ve ever wished for a way to reduce the humidity in your home, then a heat pump is an excellent choice. They dehumidify your home, which means that the amount of moisture in the air is reduced. Even better, upgrading to a modern heat pump may provide an actual “dry mode” setting, which removes moisture and provides a more comfortable temperature.
Heat pumps do five things exceptionally well that help remove humidity, even on the most humid days. We’ll look at each point below.
1. Better Overall Indoor Comfort
The effect of more or less humidity impacts the overall temperature. When it’s humid, it can feel much hotter than the actual temperature. Conversely, when it’s less humid, cooler air feels even colder.
With a heat pump, though, your humidity levels and temperature are controlled. If you happen to be allergic to indoor air particles, a heat pump will benefit you by providing better indoor air quality, too. Overall, the experience of living with a heat pump is better.
2. Moisture is Removed
As previously mentioned, another thing that heat pumps accomplish is removing the moisture from the air. The natural dehumidifying effect of heat pumps better regulates indoor humidity levels.
3. Integration with Heating Systems
Do you already have a furnace? No problem! You can integrate a heat pump into your existing system. That way, on those rare days you run your furnace, your heat pump will handle humidity issues, while also assisting your heating needs. Remember: Living in Daytona doesn’t mean you’ll never need heat in your home.
4. Moisture Protection and Energy Efficiency
Heat pumps are known to require less energy. They also handle humidity more effectively than traditional HVAC systems. The best way to ensure proper protection and efficiency is with regular preventative maintenance.
Fortunately, One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating makes this easy. Preventative maintenance also provides the following:
- Efficiency
- Environmental benefits
- Savings
The Efficiency of Heat Pumps
New heat pumps in Daytona are required to have a minimum M1 rating of 14.3 SEER2. On winter nights when the temperature drops to approximately 50°F, heat pumps offer 300-500% more heating efficiency than furnaces. Meanwhile, a traditional HVAC system can’t get past 98% efficiency.
Having the ability to easily switch between heating and cooling provides year-round comfort. After all, Daytona homeowners don’t regularly rely on their furnaces, so using a heat pump is a great solution.
Understanding the SEER2 Rating
SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, is a calculation that looks at a typical cooling season. In the past, ratings in Florida had a minimum of 14 SEER. Now, though, the minimum rating for an M1 unit is 14.3 SEER2 or 15 SEER.
Now, if you have a very old system, your SEER might be lower. So, why should you upgrade. Because it can save you a lot of money.
As an example, upgrading from an 8 SEER rating to a 15.3 rating can cut your energy costs in half. When you consider the expense of running air conditioning in Florida, this makes a modern heat pump even more of a value.
What Type of Energy Source is Best?
Heat pumps can work with a variety of energy sources. The most common type is air-source, though. These heat pumps are versatile and cost-effective.
Another option is a mini-split ductless heat pump. They work best for room additions or houses that don’t have existing ductwork. This provides another way to save money and increase energy efficiency.
Geothermal heat pumps, meanwhile, are the kings of efficiency. At the same time, they come with higher installation costs. Therefore, it’s up to you to decide which is more important.
Always Get a Properly Sized Heat Pump for Your Home
To truly take advantage of less humidity and a more efficient system, you’ll need to ensure you acquire the right size heat pump for your home. Using an oversized system causes frequent cycling, which also causes increased wear and tear. Meanwhile, using an undersized system will reduce your heat pump’s efficiency.
The process of figuring out the proper load calculation should always be handled by a professional. Our team of experts make this process quick and easy, and we can also help you select the right heat pump. That way, you can utilize the best energy efficient unit for your home. Plus, we’ll point you toward the system that can best handle indoor humidity.
Daytona’s Proven Heat Pump Team
Whether you’re looking for a brand-new heat pump installation or repairs, our team can help! We have the necessary experience and training to ensure you purchase an appropriately sized unit.
Upgrading to a new system can help get rid of:
- Odd noises
- Uneven distribution
- Frequent repairs
- Increased energy costs
- Constantly running unit
- Poor indoor air quality
Turn to Daytona’s One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating team for your heat pump needs. We’re on time or you don’t pay a dime!
