What are Air to Water Heat Pump Systems?
The world is in the midst of an environmental awakening following increased awareness of the impact of fossil fuels. As a San Francisco resident, how can you lower your home's carbon footprint while still creating sufficient radiant heat? The solution lies in air to water heat pumps. An air to water heat pump is a system designed to extract heat from ambient air and transfer the heat into the water in your home's water system. According to a Siemens prediction model, the adoption of air to water heat pumps in San Francisco over conventional natural gas could lower emissions by 14 percent by 2050.
How do Air-to-Water Heat Pumps Work?
Also known as air source heat pumps (ASHP), air to water heat pump systems absorb heat from the outside air and transfer it to an indoor space. The outdoor unit of the pump absorbs heat from the surrounding air and transfers it to a coolant and an internal compressor then raises the temperature of the coolant. Finally, the coolant transfers the heat to your home's hot water reserve tank through the heat exchanger.
Advantages of Air to Water Heat Pumps
The pros of air to water pumps are plenty. The first and perhaps most profound advantage is a lower carbon footprint. Unlike gas heating systems, these pumps run on electricity, lowering the environmental impact of carbon emissions. Better yet, when installed with an electrical solar system, the pumps can be carbon neutral.
Due to the system's integrated water heater, heat production is more economical, lowering your power bill. Air to water heat pumps use up to 63 percent less energy than conventional water heaters, offering up to three times more thermal energy than the electricity they spend. This makes them more efficient while greatly lowering your home's energy costs. There's also the added bonus of versatility since the pumps serve both heating or cooling purposes.
San Francisco has Voted to Ban Gas in New Construction
On November 10, 2020, San Francisco's Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to ban natural gas in the city's new buildings. Citing public health benefits, cost reductions, and a crucial need to lower greenhouse emissions, the board concordantly decided that furnaces, stoves, and water heaters will face a ban. The rule will affect more than 54,000 new homes and 32 million square feet of private enterprise space within the city's development pipeline. San Francisco is now part of a growing number of municipalities that have taken the bold step towards addressing the climate issue by lowering their building's carbon footprint.
Kearney Plumbing
If you're on the search for an air to water heat pump in San Francisco, Kearney Plumbing is the go-to partner. A certified installer for SpacePac, Kearney Plumbing has a wealth of experience in residential plumbing, commercial plumbing, radiant heating, and air to water pump installation. Founder Brian Kearney, a 15-year expert in the field, together with a team of experienced estimators, project managers, and plumbers offers quality and reliable workmanship. Get in touch with Kearney Plumbing today for all your air to water heat pump needs.