The old style of heat pumps have been around for many decades. I have been in the HVAC industry for over 45 years and I can remember back in the late 1970s through the 80s when heat pumps became more prominent in the marketplace. More brands starting showing up in a competitive market. Some heat pumps were very large in size. For example the Williamson Company which was a larger box next to your home hooked up to a large furnace inside. Their favorite color was green. And the old Janitrol cheaper made unit that have now evolved into the Goodman/Amana systems.

Back then, heat pumps were not as efficient as they are today. Also, the technology was built with a lot of components: relays, switches and controls that are now in circuit boards. This old technology of one speed all-on-full-amp-draw caused many homes lights to flicker when starting the unit.

Through research and development, engineers were able to continually improve on efficiencies. Starting with 2 stage units then advancing variable speed variable capacity units. These new variable capacity HVAC systems like the BOSCH IDS units have the ability to monitor temperatures outside and inside the home and adjust the speed of the fans and compressor up and down as needed. Get your free HVAC Estimate in Richmond to learn more about the difference.

For example, on a very hot day a home may need full capacity let’s say 36,000 BTUs of cooling or 3 tons of air. On the other hand, on a more mild day where the home is uncomfortable the cooling load can be dropped down to run the unit as a 2.5 ton or even a 2 ton unit thereby only using the electricity needed at the moment. This slowing down of the system also allows the HVAC system to remove more humidity and make the home much more comfortable.

Some of these new variable capacity systems can run in extremely low outdoor temperatures and provide a greater amount of heat as compared to older outdated systems. Some can even run as low as 5 degrees or even lower without having to utilize back up heat. Because of this, homeowners with newer systems are saving on their monthly utility bills.

I like to explain it this way: If you had to heat up a pan on a kitchen cook stove, you wouldn’t turn all burners on at once would you? You would only need one burner. The old heat pumps were one speed all on all the time whether the home needed that amount of heating or cooling in the moment. The newer variable capacity units can adjust the output to the needs of the home during different seasons.

To be honest, I don’t know why the old technology has held on for so long when the new technology is readily available. The variable capacity units are more expensive, but wouldn’t you rather have the newer tech and save money on your utility bills? Otherwise over time, the money just goes to the utility companies. We have witnessed customers utility bills cut in half with these new systems. Plus, they are much quieter, remove more humidity from the home and have more features and benefits that are an advantage to the homeowner.

GIve us a call at 1st Service Heating and Air for a free no obligation estimate to replace your old system. We have financing available with low monthly payments that help offset the cost of a new system installation.

Call 859-376-0002. “We Bring Comfort Home” 1st Service Heating And Air.