Commercial heat pumps offer building owners and managers a high-efficiency heating and cooling solution that can save money on energy consumption while also improving overall humidity control. Typical heating and cooling systems change temperature by generating hot or cold air. As an alternative, heat pumps instead exchange air from inside and outside the building. During the warm months, hot air is removed and transferred outside, and cold air is transferred out in the cold months.
The Four Key Types of Heat Pumps
There are numerous variations on the heat pump with different advanced technologies available depending on the specific needs of a building. However, there are four basic categories a heat pump can fall into. Here are the four key types of commercial heat pumps:
- Ducted Air-Source: Rather than using resistance-based heat sources like a boiler, air-source heat pumps leverage the outside temperature to transfer heat to and from a building depending on the season. Air-source solutions are highly efficient and can save a building as much as 50% on heating and cooling energy costs. As a bonus, high-efficiency systems are often better at dehumidifying than typical air conditioning units.
- Ductless Air-Source: These are better solutions for smaller commercial facilities that do not already have a duct system installed or would be too expensive to add one. Ductless systems are easy to install and can regulate the temperature in specific rooms rather than an entire building.
- Geothermal: Though typically more expensive to install than other options, geothermal heat pumps offer significant advantages in terms of cost savings on cooling and heating. By transferring hot or cold air either to the ground or a body of water, the system takes advantage of relatively stable temperatures to offer a reliable solution for buildings. A geothermal system can save a building between 30% and 60% in annual energy costs and greater control over humidity.
- Absorption: Absorption heat pumps will use a direct source of burning gas as its power supply. This can be useful in climates that are not typically suited to heat pump systems. Though heating and cooling technology has advanced, there have been fewer limitations for what climates these units can operate in.
The benefits of a proactive maintenance program for commercial heat pumps:
- Peace of mind: When you choose our proactive maintenance program, you also choose a plan that affords you peace of mind. Having your heating or cooling fail when you need it most is an inconvenience and a significant potential financial liability for the people in your building. By having a system in place to protect you from costly failures, you can rest easy knowing your commercial heat pump system is in good hands.
- Lower operational costs: When an HVAC system is regularly serviced, it ensures that everything is running at peak efficiency. This maximizes the amount of heating and cooling the system provides for the least amount of power.
- Lower overall maintenance cost: Though it might seem counterintuitive to be spending money on maintenance for something that is not broken, keeping your system running smoothly will likely save you money throughout its lifetime. By regularly servicing your heat pump unit, you can prevent more serious breakages which will cost significantly more money to repair.
Choose the Right Heat Pump for Your Building – Trust the Advice from HVAC Professionals
If you think a commercial heat pump system might be the ideal solution for your building, the best thing to do is consult with an experienced technician who can assess your unique needs and requirements. TRI-AIR is a family-run business with over 40 years of experience helping clients across the Greater Toronto Area to find the best heating and cooling solutions that maximize efficiency and save money.
To learn more about how a commercial heat pump system might benefit your building, call 905-470-2424. You can also contact us online to schedule an inspection or testing or discuss other heating and ventilation-related requirements.
