Your Local Heat Pump Experts

In the summer, a heat pump functions similarly to an air conditioner. Both types of systems use refrigerant to move heat energy out of the home and release it outside, cooling off the indoors. Heat pumps, however, are capable of reversing the refrigeration cycle in colder weather. Instead of absorbing heat inside, they pull it from outside air. Even very cold outdoor air has some residual heat! It then moves this heat inside and releases it, warming the home.

Heat pumps are a great fit for homes here in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. While we do see below-freezing nights and some snow, our winters are generally mild compared to many other parts of the country. Heat pumps work best in these mild winter conditions: the colder it is, the more they have to work to keep up your home’s heating needs. If you need a new heating and cooling system, this two-in-one option might be your best bet. Give us a call to talk to one of our specialists and get an estimate.

At first glance, there doesn’t appear to be much of a difference. Both systems feature the same physical components: an indoor blower, placed in the air ducts, and an outdoor condenser unit. In the summer, both systems operate the exact same way, using the refrigeration cycle (the same process used by your fridge, too!) to cool your home. The key difference is that heat pumps can reverse the refrigeration cycle and use it to heat your home in the winter. Air conditioners cannot do that.

Yes. When people say ‘heat pump,’ they’re most commonly referring to an air-source, forced air system. This means that it pulls heat energy from the air in the winter, and uses a blower unit and ductwork to deliver cooling and heating to the rooms of your home. There are two different types of heat pumps out there, however. First, there’s ductless systems. These operate as heat pumps, but are best known for not needing ducts. There are also ground-source heat pumps, which use geothermal energy.