Everything Buyers Need to Know About Heat Pumps

Understanding Heat Pumps 

Buying and installing a new heating and cooling system in the home is a big choice. New equipment and its installation are expensive, and owners will have to live with the new system for decades. Often, this locks owners into a particular utility that they use to heat their home, and with fluctuating energy prices and constantly increasing environmental regulations, burning fossil fuels for heat is continually getting more expensive. 

To combat rising fuel prices, new technology is constantly being developed and improved. One of the most exciting advancements in heating and cooling has been the development of the heat pump. Here is a quick article on heat pumps to explain what they are and why they may be the perfect choice for homeowners upgrading their heating and cooling systems. 

What are Heat Pumps? 

heat pumpA heat pump is a revolutionary new way to heat and cool the home. While the technology has existed for a while, the system wasn't practical until recently. With new developments, heat pumps have been improved, so many people are starting to switch. But what exactly is a heat pump? 

To understand a heat pump, think about feeling the heat coming off an air conditioner's outdoor unit during the summer. This heat is from the inside of the home. Now, imagine if the process was reversed. Could the heat being dumped inside the home be reversed to heat the home instead? This is how a heat pump allows for efficient summer cooling and heating in winter. 

Benefits of Heat Pump Installation 

Heat pumps have become the fastest-growing heating and cooling system type worldwide for several reasons. First, they are the simplest type of HVAC system. Unlike a furnace, a heat pump uses the same blower and ductwork as an outdoor unit. This means there are fewer moving parts, so they generally last longer. 

Probably the biggest selling point for a heat pump is the cost reduction compared to resistance heating and fossil fuels. Heat pumps require only electricity, so most homeowners do away with their gas bills. As gas prices fluctuate and steadily rise, it can be easy to see how fast the savings can add up. 

Signs That Heat Pump Repairs are Needed 

energy billHeat pumps are generally more reliable than other heating and cooling systems because the machinery works all year. Central furnaces are cycled off during the warm months, allowing them to develop problems. Running a heat pump year-round keeps it in good operating condition. However, they still are subject to repairs. Some of the signs that heat pump repairs are needed can be: 

  • Long cycles
  • High electricity bills
  • Inadequate heating or cooling 
  • Poor indoor air quality
  • Unusual sounds or noisy operation

Luckily, the signs that heat pumps are struggling are familiar to any homeowner who has owned an air conditioner. If something seems wrong, it probably is. Call a professional before things get worse!

About Bedell Home Services

Bedell Home Services handles heat pump installations and repairs. They have over 35 years of experience helping owners save money on heating and cooling costs. Call today for HVAC installation and repair in Carmel, IN. 

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Fun Facts About the History of Air Conditioning in America

Were You Aware of These Fascinating AC Facts?

Air conditioning is one thing that's easy to take for granted here in the United States. After all, nearly every home in the country uses some form of air conditioner - at this point, it's just a common part of everyday life. But it wasn't always this way. Air conditioning is a relatively new invention, and not too long ago, it was considered an amazing luxury. 

But in the heat of summer, it's hard to imagine going without AC for even a day. In many parts of the country, it would be downright unlivable. In celebration of this marvelous technology, here are a few interesting tidbits about air conditioning and its history that most people don't know.

July 17th Is National Air Conditioner Dayac

National AC Day commemorates the invention of the modern air conditioner by Willis Carrier in 1902. It's certainly an occasion worth celebrating and there are many ways to do it. Many homeowners like to clear any weeds or debris away from their outdoor AC unit and clean the intake vent for the indoor unit (and check the filter while they're at it). 

Others like to get their air ducts professionally cleaned to get rid of accumulated dust and dirt. And for those who didn't get their yearly AC maintenance and inspection done in the spring, there's no better day to get caught up than National AC Day!

The First AC Was Created Here In America

When Willis Carrier devised the first-ever AC, he did so right here in New York. Based in Buffalo, Carrier designed an apparatus to remove moisture from the air, intended for use in a printing plant in Brooklyn. The machine used coils filled with chemical refrigerant to condense the air's moisture into liquid, which would collect on the coils and be drained away. 

But as the coils pulled moisture from the air, they also absorbed heat energy from the air - and the modern AC was born. Several years after his original design, Carrier and a few of his colleagues formed the Carrier Corporation, which is now one of the world's biggest HVAC manufacturers.

theaterAir Conditioning Gave Rise To the Summer Blockbuster

Air conditioning didn't get widespread use immediately after its invention, of course - it took years to catch on and become accessible to the public. In those days, it wasn't easy to find relief from the summer heat anywhere. But this was about to change. 

In the 1920s and '30s, many movie theatre owners recognized that attendance tended to drop off in the summer months. In response, they had their theatres outfitted with air conditioning systems. It didn't take long for people to come rushing to the movies to get a couple of hours of respite from the heat. Ticket sales skyrocketed, ushering in a new era and paving the way for the summer blockbuster - all thanks to AC.

About Bedell Home Services

Bedell Home Services has been handling the plumbing and HVAC needs of Carmel, IN, and the surrounding areas since 1988. As a family-owned and operated business, they take pride in their ability to offer same-day services and competitive pricing. Call for reliable AC repair service!

Fun Facts About the History of Air Conditioning In America

Were You Aware of These Fascinating AC Facts?

Air conditioning is one thing that’s easy to take for granted here in the United States. After all, nearly every home in the country uses some form of air conditioner - at this point, it’s just a common part of everyday life. But it wasn’t always this way. Air conditioning is actually a relatively new invention, and not too long ago it was considered an amazing luxury.

But in the heat of summer, it’s hard to imagine going without AC for even a day. In many parts of the country, it would be downright unlivable. In celebration of this marvelous technology, here a few interesting tidbits about air conditioning and its history that most people don’t know.

July 17th Is National Air Conditioner Day

Outdoor Air Conditioning UnitNational AC Day commemorates the invention of the modern air conditioner by Willis Carrier in 1902. It’s certainly an occasion worth celebrating and there are many ways to do it. Many homeowners like to clear any weeds or debris away from their outdoor AC unit and clean the intake vent for the indoor unit (and check the filter while they’re at it).

Others like to get their air ducts professionally cleaned to get rid of accumulated dust and dirt. And for those who didn’t get their yearly AC maintenance and inspection done in the spring, there’s no better day to get caught up than National AC Day!

The First AC Was Created Here In America

When Willis Carrier devised the first-ever AC, he did so right here in New York. Based in Buffalo, Carrier designed an apparatus to remove moisture from the air, intended for use in a printing plant in Brooklyn. The machine used coils filled with chemical refrigerant to condense the air’s moisture into liquid, which would collect on the coils and be drained away.

But as the coils pulled moisture from the air, they also absorbed heat energy from the air - and the modern AC was born. Several years after his original design, Carrier and a few of his colleagues formed the Carrier Corporation, which is now one of the world’s biggest HVAC manufacturers.

Air Conditioning Gave Rise To the Summer Blockbuster

Black and White Photo of a Movie Theater with Marquee LightsAir conditioning didn’t get widespread use immediately after its invention, of course - it took years to catch on and become accessible to the public. In those days, it was difficult to find relief from the summer heat anywhere. But this was about to change.

In the 1920s and ‘30s, many movie theatre owners recognized that attendance tended to drop off in the summer months. In response, they had their theatres outfitted with air conditioning systems. It didn’t take long for people to come rushing to the movies just to get a couple of hours of respite from the heat. Ticket sales skyrocketed, ushering in a new era and paving the way for the summer blockbuster - all thanks to AC.

About Bedell Home Services

Bedell Home Services has been handling the plumbing and HVAC needs of Carmel, IN, and the surrounding areas since 1988. As a family-owned and operated business, they take pride in their ability to offer same-day services and competitive pricing. When you need a reliable AC repair service in Carmel, IN, you can always count on the expert technicians at Bedell Home Services!