How to Tell if You Have a Heat Pump in Your Home in Bloomington, CA
Inland Empire Comfort
January 29, 2025
If you’ve just moved into your new home in Bloomington, CA, you may not know the type of HVAC system you have by simply looking at it. So, how do you know if you have a heat pump or a normal furnace and air conditioner combo?
Ordinarily, you should talk this over with the previous owners or the property managers. But if you don’t want to do that, you have a few options.
The top choice for heat pump repair in Bloomington, CA, covers some of the details you need to know in this post.
Read the Labels on the System
If the unit still has its labels, then you won’t have to look too hard to know if it’s a heat pump or not. Most heat pump manufacturers clearly include the words “heat pump” on the labels.
If you can’t find these words, go a bit closer to the unit and look at the model number. If the number starts with the letters “HP,” then you have a heat pump.
While looking at labels, you should also look at the yellow energy efficiency label on the system. If you find only the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings, then you’re looking at a standard air conditioning system.
On the other hand, if the label also includes the Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) ratings, then you have a heat pump. The HSPF measures the heat pump’s efficiency while it’s in heat mode. How do you know if you have a heat pump if the labels are no longer there?
Check the Thermostat Settings for Emergency or Auxiliary Heat
One of the easiest ways to know if you have a heat pump is to look at the thermostat settings. If you can find a setting for emergency or auxiliary heat, then you most likely have a heat pump.
Heat pumps perform best in moderate winter weather conditions because they can still pull heat from the outside air. However, when the temperatures drop too low here in Bloomington, CA, the unit may struggle to pull enough heat from the air.
That’s where the backup or emergency heating kicks in. The backup heating is usually an electric heating strip, but it could also be a furnace. So, if you find this function on your thermostat, you have a heat pump.
Check Your Bloomington Property for the Reversing Valve in the Outdoor Unit
The reversing valve is the component that allows the heat pump to deliver cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter. It’s a horizontal brass pipe that also has three fittings on one side. If you can find this component in the outside unit, then you have a heat pump.
If you can’t find the reversing valve at a glance, that doesn’t mean you have a normal air conditioner. Some manufacturers install the reversing valve behind the access panel outside of the coil.
Examine the Outdoor Unit
How do you know if you have a heat pump if none of the above options are practical? The outdoor unit operation can tell you. Go to your thermostat and set it to heat mode, and then check to see if the outdoor unit turns on. If it does, then you have a heat pump.
The outdoor unit works when the thermostat is set to heat because it has to pull heat from the outside air and transfer it inside your home. Other heating systems don’t rely on an outdoor unit to work. So, if you have a furnace or a boiler system, the outdoor unit won’t work when you set your thermostat to heat.
Similarly, you should watch for a defrost cycle if you’re using the unit in the winter but are unsure if it’s a heat pump or something else. This cycle helps keep the outdoor coils from getting too cold in the winter weather.
Call Inland Empire Comfort in Bloomington, CA, for Definitive Guidance
How do you know if you have a heat pump if you’re still unsure? It’s simple; call in a professional HVAC technician like us here at Inland Empire Comfort. Our experienced crew can tell you if you have a heat pump in one glance.
We’ll tell you the exact type of heat pump you have, how it works, and how you can get the most out of it. We can also discuss the heat
pump vs. AC debate and show you which is best for you. Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation.
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