New heat pump features

Early heat pumps were noisy and with lower efficiencies in colder weather conditions, but recent technological advances are creating a new generation of reliable and more energy-efficient heat pumps.

Back-up burners

Modern air-source heat pumps may be equipped with back up burners – instead of using electric resistance heaters - to supplement the heat pump in freezing temperatures, when they don't work properly. These burners are an economical alternative to the use of electric supplemental heaters. The combustion fuel used with back-up burners is usually propane or natural gas.

Desuperheaters

Many high-efficiency ground heat pump have a desuperheater: a device that recovers waste heat (from the heat pump's cooling mode) in order to use it to heat water. A desuperheater-equipped pump heats water 2 to 3 times more efficiently than common electric water heaters.

Two speed compressors

Modern two-speed compressors heat pumps do not need to operate at full capacity, which is an important energy saving element and contributes to a longer life of some components (compressor...). Besides, two-speed systems are particularly suitable to zoned heating and cooling.

Scroll compressors

Recent advances in heat pump technology includes scroll compressors - two spiral-shaped scrolls - instead of common piston compressors. Scroll compressors make the engine to run quieter, to have a longer lifetime and to provide higher temperatures when in the heating mode: 10°–15°F more (5°–8°C).

Variable-speed fan motors

Modern heat pumps may be equipped with dual-speed motors and variable-speed outdoor fans and blowers (indoor fans). These fans may be controlled in order to achieve electrical savings.