Heat Pump Installation, Repair, and Maintenance Company

Call today if you want to install a new home heat pump.

Whether you need a new heat pump installed or your heat pump repaired, Hilliside’s HVAC technicians have the training, certifications, and knowledge to repair these cooling systems.

If your air conditioning system has stopped working, call us at 302-738-4144 (DE&PA) or 410-398-2146 (MD). We’ll come to your home and give you a HONEST & FREE ESTIMATE for any Heat Pump Installation.

Why You Can Trust Hillside

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is an all-in-one cooling and heating system that comforts your home (and paws) year-round.

Because of New Castle, Delaware, Southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, and Cecil County, Maryland’s moderate climate, heat pumps provide an energy-efficient alternative to air conditioners and furnaces.

It’s quiet and has customizable temperatures and humidity controls, offering homeowners an excellent choice for year-long comfort. Call us at 302-738-4144 (DE&PA) or 410-398-2146 (MD). We’ll come to your home and give you an HONEST & FREE ESTIMATE for any Heat Pump Repair, Heat Pump Service, or new Heat Pump Installation.

How do heat pumps work?

A heat pump uses the outside air to heat and cool your home. In heating mode, the heat pump extracts outside heat and transfers it into your home. In cooling mode, the directions are reversed by removing heat from your home and performing like a traditional air conditioner. Heat pump only moves heat rather than generating heat. 

It consists of two main components: an indoor air handler and an outdoor heat pump, similar to a central air-conditioning unit.

Cooling Mode: When you want to cool on hot days, the heat pump operates like a central air-conditioner, absorbing heat inside your home and expelling it outdoors.

Heating Mode: When you want to get warm on cold days, the process reverses, and the pump absorbs heat from the outside air and delivers it indoors to heat your home. A heat pump can be coupled with a gas furnace or a dual-fuel system.

The Physics: The cool liquid refrigerant absorbs Heat energy in the outdoor unit, turning it into cold gas. The pressure is then applied to the cold gas, turning it into hot gas. The hot gas is cooled in the indoor unit by passing air, heating the air, and condensing the gas to warm liquid. The warm liquid is relieved of pressure as it enters the outdoor unit, turning it to cool liquid and renewing the cycle.

A Heat Pump’s Heating Mode

1. The system pulls in cold air from the home.
2. The outdoor unit absorbs heat from the cold air outside into the refrigerant.
3. The refrigerant becomes warm and is sent back into the house.
4. Warmth is released back into your home.

A Heat Pump’s Cooling Mode

1. The system pulls in hot air from the home.
2. The outdoor unit squeezes heat out of the refrigerant.
3. The refrigerant becomes cold and is sent back into the house.
4. Cool air is released back into your home.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HEAT PUMP AND A FURNACE?

The main difference between the two is how they create heat. A heat pump uses electricity to move heat from one place to another. A furnace burns fuel to create heat.

COMBINE A HEAT PUMP AND A FURNACE!

Heat pumps aren’t as effective when temperatures drop below 30 degrees. The pump will struggle to extract heat, causing it to run much less efficiently. You can improve your HVAC heat pump efficiency by pairing a heat pump with a furnace. Furnaces spread even heating from room to room. Combine that with a durable American Standard heat pump, and you have a hybrid system that keeps your family comfortable and potentially saves you energy.

The two systems share the heating load with this dual-fuel option but never function simultaneously. Each system operates when it is most cost-effective. The heat pump will be the primary heating and cooling system. However, when the temperature drops below the heat pump’s ability to operate as efficiently as the gas furnace, the gas furnace will take over until the temperature rises enough for the heat pump to operate more efficiently.

To learn if a dual-fuel system is right for your home, contact Jerry from Hillside.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HEAT PUMP AND AN AIR CONDITIONER?

While essentially identical in cooling mode, the heating mode is an entirely different story. Air conditioners do not provide heating, but heat pumps do. Thanks to a reversing valve in the outdoor unit, a heat pump can absorb heat energy from outside air, even in extremely cold temperatures, and transfer the heat inside the home, releasing heat into the air. A heat pump can heat and cool, but an air conditioner cannot, which is the primary difference between the two HVAC systems. An air conditioner is typically paired with a furnace to provide heat during the cold months. Together, an air conditioner and furnace are a complete heating and cooling system.

How long does a heat pump last?

Hillside correctly installs heat pumps in DE, PA, and MD that last an average of 15 years. Please note several factors that can impact the life of your heat pump—heat pump make and model, heat pump usage rate, and whether or not your heat pump has been maintained. Hillside’s HVAC professionals can extend the life of your heat pump (or air conditioning system) with our annual tune-ups. 

How much does a heat pump cost?

Heat pump pricing depends on several factors: the size of your home, model, and installation requirements (e.g., existing or non-existing ducts). An indoor unit heat pump system does offer lower costs. However, the outdoor unit can have a higher upfront investment than the typical air conditioner. Considering and understanding the total costs of installing a system that can heat and cool your home correctly is essential.