Heat pumps are one of the best cooling and heating appliances for our region since we have no lack of heat in the air nearly year-round. But in order to get the best performance, the right heat pump size is crucial for its efficiency, longevity and your comfort.

A heat pump works by moving heat from one place to another, similar to how a refrigerator works. In the summer, the refrigerant extracts the heat from the air blowing over the evaporator coil, and in the winter, it extracts it from the heat in the outdoor and and brings it inside. As the fan in the air handler blows over the evaporator coil, it warms the air.

Installing too small or large a heat pump won’t give you the performance the manufacturer promises. If the pump is too small, it will run a long time to deliver the conditioned air you need. If it’s too large, it will run in short cycles, which drives up energy costs and increases the wear on all the parts. When heat pumps or air conditioners first start their cycle, they use the most energy. When the heat pump size is too large, it will start and stop frequently, increasing your energy bills.

Besides the increased energy use, this short cycling lowers indoor comfort because the pump doesn’t run long enough to fully circulate the air, so you may have hot spots in your home. Your entire home will be more humid, as well, since it won’t run long enough to extract the water in the air.

Water vapor condenses when air blows over the cold evaporator coil. The pump needs to run at least seven minutes to reach temperatures cold enough to efficiently extract excess water vapor. If insufficient humidity condenses, it won’t be able to drain away and will, instead, evaporate back into your home’s air, promoting mold growth.

To learn more about heat pump size and getting the most from this versatile appliance, contact JD’s A/C. We’ve provided top-notch HVAC services for the Longview area for more than 30 years.