Think of a heat pump as an air conditioner that can work in both directions. In summer it pulls heat out of your home; in winter a reversing valve flips the refrigerant flow, and the same compressor draws heat from the outdoor air and brings it inside. Because it moves heat instead of creating it, a heat pump can deliver two to three times more heat energy than the electricity it uses, which is a big reason homeowners in Oak Park, IL are making the switch as older systems wear out. Today's cold-climate models, built around variable-speed inverter compressors, keep producing useful heat well below freezing, a real leap past the heat pumps of twenty years ago.
Most of our service calls are for AC Repair and Furnace Repair. If something has stopped working, start there.
Warning Signs for Heat Pump Installation
The sooner you notice these red flags, the easier and cheaper the fix. Keep an eye out for the following clues:
- You want steady, even comfort instead of blast-and-coast temperature swings
- Your utility company is offering incentives for heat pumps
- You heat with electric resistance, propane, or oil and the bills show it
- You would like a single system for heating and cooling with one maintenance plan
- An aging AC and furnace you would rather replace with a single system
- Solar on the roof, or plans for it, and a goal of going all-electric
- Your current system leaves rooms too warm in summer and too cool in winter
- The old system needs refrigerant top-offs or major repairs to limp on
Act Before It Gets Worse
Most HVAC failures start small, a weak capacitor, a squealing blower, a system that runs a little longer each week. At the first hint of a problem, call (708) 536-4740 for a fast inspection.
