Posted: September 9, 2024
It’s been more than a century since Atlantic-Pratt Energy started delivering heating oil and home comfort services in Quincy, Weymouth and other communities on the South Shore.
Needless to say, a LOT has changed about the way households stay comfortable throughout the year since those early days. We still deliver premium fuel and install traditional boilers, furnaces and central air conditioning systems — but we also provide services for newer HVAC products.
One item that is gaining in popularity is the electric heat pump. These dual heating and cooling systems have long been popular in Europe and the southern U.S. states that have mild winters. With improvements in heat pump technology, these systems are becoming more common in New England. Because they regulate indoor temperatures differently than other HVAC equipment, heat pumps have different cycling patterns. Allow us to discuss what a normal per-day runtime is for a heat pump.
Heat pumps operate differently than other home comfort equipment, particularly when it comes to heating. Unlike furnaces or boilers, heat pumps do not generate heat. Instead, they transfer heat between the outdoor air and your home. During the winter, they extract heat from the outside and transfer it into your house.
In the summer, this process is reversed: your heat pump transfers the indoor heat outdoors, lowering the home’s temperature and humidity level.
A normal daily heat pump runtime differs based on whether it’s heating or cooling your home.
During Cold Weather — It’s normal for a heat pump to cycle regularly throughout the day when the weather outside is cold. Heat pumps have a “slow and steady” process, and for this reason, we tell homeowners not to “scale back” their heating temperatures overnight. It’s also worth noting that heat pump systems have been known to struggle in sustained freezing temperatures (since they rely on heat drawn from outdoor air). Many of our heat pump customers have chosen to hold onto their boiler or furnace as an emergency backup heat source.
During Hot Weather — In cooling mode, a heat pump operates similarly to a traditional A/C. It shouldn’t run continuously in cooling mode, and you can also adjust the cooling settings while you’re sleeping or away from home.
If you’re curious about your electric heat pump options but not sure where to start, Atlantic-Pratt’s team is here to help. We sell, install and service top-quality systems from American Standard, Carrier, Mitsubishi, Bosch and other trusted brands. Whether your house has ductwork or not, we can identify a fantastic product to keep you comfortable 12 months a year. Our experienced HVAC technicians can install the equipment promptly and safely, and we can even help you qualify for any available rebates that can save you money on installation.
The professionals at Atlantic-Pratt Energy are ready to help you with your home heating and cooling needs. Contact us today to get started.