Commercial Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are not only for residential applications, as many may assume. They can be an energy-efficient and economical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) alternative here in Farmington Hills to the traditional HVAC systems the majority of commercial buildings use.
Many businesses trying to cut down on their energy costs, looking to leave a smaller carbon footprint as well, are looking to a heat pump to address this issue for them. Our knowledgeable Harriman Heating & Air Conditioning professionals would be happy to discuss this option with you for your Michigan business to see if it’s a viable alternative.
What Types of Commercial Heat Pumps Are There?
There are two main types of commercial heat pumps: air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) and water-source heat pumps (WSHPs).
Air-Source Heat Pumps
Air-source heat pumps are the most commonly used. They owe their popularity to their lower costs and ease of installation, since they don’t require any additional equipment or consistent water/ground temperatures to operate.
These systems acquire their heat from the outside air and transfer it inside. However, air-source heat pumps do lose their efficiency in extreme cold temperatures, where they require a backup heat source for supplementation.
Water-Source Heat Pumps
In contrast, water-source heat pumps rely on water to acquire or disperse their heat from the steady temperature of water. These systems sustain their temperatures, not requiring a backup source, no matter the temperatures outside in Michigan. They offer some of the highest efficiencies in the HVAC industry.
In a commercial water-source heat pump, consistent water temperature in the loop is most commonly achieved through mechanical means, such as a cooling tower, chiller, or boiler.
How Do Commercial Heat Pumps Work?
Essentially, heat pumps operate like a refrigerator. Using a network of looping pipes extending from the hot side to the cold, the gas in the loops condenses to liquid and then expands again.
This moves the heat along where it’s needed––extracting it from where it’s not wanted and moving it to areas where it is, offering a cooling solution in the summer and heating in the winter. Just like a ceiling fan that reverses direction whether cooling or heating is necessary, the liquid in the loops reverses direction depending on what’s required.
What Are the Benefits of Commercial Heat Pumps?
Heat pumps are an effective part of efficient Michigan HVAC systems. Simply moving heat from one area to another can use less energy than needing to generate heat.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), geothermal heat pumps are the most energy-efficient, environmentally clean, and cost-effective space conditioning systems available.
Here are just a few of the benefits of using a sustainable commercial heat pump instead of other heating and cooling means in Michigan:
• Significant savings on fuel bills as opposed to electric, oil, liquid gas, or solid fuel heating and cooling options.
No consumption of an energy is used here, just extracting heat from the air or water. This counters initial installation costs, meaning savings can be recognized in a relatively short time.
• Financial savings both on monthly operating costs and maintenance visits.
Commercial heat pumps don’t need regularly scheduled Harriman Heating and Air Conditioning professional visits. The closed loop system typically lasts 10 to 25 years, resulting in low repair costs and not needing to replace parts or the full system for years and years.
• Federal and state tax credits available upon installation, as well as rebates.
These reduce the overall net cost of installation.
• Happier employees and customers due to improved indoor air quality (IAQ) and low operating noise.
Improved indoor air quality means healthier employees and customers. And a perceptibly lower operating noise won’t interfere with employee and customer focus and operations.
We Are Your Commercial Heat Pump Experts
Commercial heat pumps can serve both cooling and heating needs. Along with the benefits of energy efficiency, long-term cost savings, and happier-employee options, a commercial heat pump is a win-win solution for most Farmington Hills, MI, businesses. Call Harriman Heating and Air Conditioning at 734-271-6200 or request service online today to talk with one of our professionals to learn if a heat pump could be the right solution for you and your business.