Heat Pump System Diagram

How does a heat pump work?

You already have a heat pump in your home - your refrigerator. It keeps your food cool by using liquid refrigerant to move heat from inside your fridge to your kitchen. Mitsubishi cold-climate heat pumps work in the same way. A heat pump's refrigeration system consists of a compressor and two coils made of copper tubing (one indoors and one outside), which are surrounded by aluminum fins to aid heat transfer. In heating mode, liquid refrigerant in the outside coils extracts heat from the air and evaporates into a gas. The indoor coils release heat from the refrigerant as it condenses back into a liquid. A reversing valve, near the compressor, can change the direction of the refrigerant flow to switch from heating mode to cooling mode.

  • In Vermont summers, heat pumps act as air conditioners, transferring warm indoor air to the outdoors, to keep your home nice and cool.
  • In the winter, our heat pumps extract heat from the outside air - even when it is very cold - to keep Vermont homes warm and comfortable.
  • Heat pumps are not furnaces. They don't produce heat by burning fuel; they use electricity to move heat from one location to another. 

Do I need a backup heating system?

Most Vermont homes that install heat pumps will need to maintain a back-up heating system- typically a traditional furnace or boiler - on those extra cold days when the heat pump needs some help.

Will my electricity bill go up?

An important point to keep in mind is that heat pumps use electricity to transfer heat - so your electric bills increase whenever your heat pump is running. In some cases, and especially if you heat with propane. heating oil or kerosene, your higher electric bill is more than offset by the decrease in your fuel bills.

How is a heat pump installed?

Cold-climate heat pumps are easy to install. You don't have to dig up your yard or have major duct work installed in your home. The connection between indoor and outdoor units requires only a three-inch hole through an exterior wall. The entire installation is normally completed by our certified technicians in a few hours.

Heat pumps have two components connected by thin copper lines.

  • An outdoor compressor mounted to the side of your home.
  • A wall-mounted blower and temperature sensor inside your home.

For added convenience, our heat pumps are operated with an easy-to-use remote control.


Why do you recommend Mitsubishi heat pumps?

The Energy Co-op is proud to be a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor.
Mitsubishi heat pumps offer:

  • High efficiency heating and cooling (up to 33.1 SEER)
  • Provides heat at outdoor temperatures as low as -13°F.
  • Super-quiet summer air conditioning
  • Minimal maintenance, no ductwork, accessible filters
  • Comes with Diamond Contractor 12-year warranty

Our service manager and installation technicians have been factory trained in service, installation and sales for the Mitsubishi M-Series heat pump products. In addition, our technicians attend training classes on a regular basis to stay up-to-date on heat pump technology. Diamond Contractors like the Energy Co-op are the only Mitsubishi installers that can offer an extended 12-year parts warranty and a 12-year limited warranty on compressors.

What do heat pumps cost?

Our heat pump prices compare well with other contractors and start at $3,500 (electrical work not included). 

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(802) 860-4090

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Our Member Testimonials

  • Highly Recommend Heat Pumps

    Last September, the Energy Co-op installed two heat pumps for us – one to heat and cool our downstairs living space, one to heat our hot water. We are very, very happy with both units and highly recommend them.

    Rocky C., South Hero, Vermont

    Services Provided:

    Ductless Heat Pumps