Heat Pump Systems
Heat pumps are quickly becoming a favorite for home and business owners because or their low operating costs and environmental friendliness. Heat pumps make use of electricity, which is clean, safe and odor-free. Users of natural gas, L.P. gas and fuel oil know how quickly prices for those fuels can change. One of the ways to help lower your energy bills, increase your comfort and protect yourself against volatile fossil fuel prices is by joining the Dual Fuel program of Richland Electric Cooperative and installing a heat pump system. A heating/cooling contractor can help you decide whether an air source heat pump or ground source heat pump is the right system for your home or business.
In addition to the low cost rate available for heating your home in the winter, heat pump users who participate in the Dual Fuel program also receive a lower rate for the cooing of their home in the summer. The Dual Fuel program summer rate is currently 7.6 cents per kilowatt - hour, a savings of about 30% off the regular electric rate. Only heat pumps are allowed on the summer Dual Fuel program rate and they are subject to interruption during cooperative load management periods, when the demand for electricity is highest or during system emergencies. Heat pumps will be cycled 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off throughout the duration of the summer load management periods.
Air Source Heat Pumps
Air Source Heat Pumps
Air source heat pumps are very similar to high efficient central air conditioning systems with one exception; air source heat pumps also provide high efficient heating in the winter. In the winter, an air source heat pump transfers heat from the outside air into your home. In the summer, the process is reversed and heat and humidity from your home is transferred to the outside.
The efficiency, reliability and comfort levels of air source heat pumps has improved greatly in the past 20 years due to newer technology, design improvements and better dealer training and service. Air source heat pumps now use scroll compressors for even higher efficiencies and better reliability.
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Ground Source Heat Pumps
Ground source heat pumps are one of the most efficient heating systems available on the market today. They use the natural resources of the earth or groundwater to heat and cool your home or business. No matter where you live, the underground temperature stays relatively constant all year, even though outdoor air temperatures vary widely. Ground source systems use this relatively constant, renewable energy source for heating and air conditioning your home.
There are two types of ground source systems. An open loop system transfers the heat from well or spring water through the furnace and then discharges the used water into a pond or onto the ground. The closed loop system shown circulates a special water-based solution in buried plastic pipes to transfer heat from the earth into your home. Both systems typically deliver four times more energy than they consume, so you can often significantly reduce your monthly energy bill.