4 Best Heat Pump Systems for Home Comfort and Efficiency

Since Lake Tahoe enjoys all four seasons, complete with snow in the winter and balmy warmth in the summer, a well-rounded heating and cooling system is essential. A heat pump system can be the perfect way to achieve temperate perfection, effortlessly providing cozy warmth in the winter and a steady stream of cool air in the winter. 

But what are the best heat pump systems? Let’s find out!

1. Dual Fuel Heating and Cooling

When facing the plummeting temperatures of Lake Tahoe winters, cold climate heat pumps can usually keep up. However, when the temperatures dip below a certain point, these systems struggle to siphon heat from the outdoor air.

Since chilly indoor temperatures likely aren’t on your holiday guest list, you’ll need a system that can maintain a warm, cozy temperature regardless of how low the outdoor temperatures fall. To do this, we recommend dual-fuel heating and cooling systems. 

These systems feature heat pumps and a gas-powered secondary heat source, such as a boiler or a furnace. When outside temperatures reach 20 and 30 degrees (fahrenheit), the secondary heat source steps in for your heat pump because even the best cold-climate heat pumps have limits. 

The trade-off ensures your home remains at a consistent temperature regardless of the outdoor lows. In the summer, when temperatures rise, your secondary heat source takes a vacation while the heat pump continues escorting heat from one location to the other. 

2. Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps

A ductless mini-split heat pump is a strong contender in the world of heat pumps. These compact systems deliver impressive results without needing an extensive network of ducts meandering through your home, making them an excellent choice for homes without ductwork, additions, and garages. 

Since they don’t require ductwork, you don’t need to plan for installing a mini-split too early in a remodel or addition. You can add them at almost any point, as installing them doesn’t require accessing wall or ceiling cavities to install ductwork. 

They function like a standard heat pump, siphoning and transporting heat from one location to another. In the winter, they pull heat from outdoor air and transport it into your home. When the temperatures climb in the summer, the system reverses its process, escorting hot air from inside your house out. 

Like standard central heat pumps, ductless mini-split systems operate with an indoor and outdoor unit: an indoor air-handling unit and an outdoor compressor or condenser. However, unlike central systems, mini-splits are compact, and instead of hiding in a utility closet, basement, or maintenance room, they’re often in plain sight. 

The indoor unit is usually mounted atop the wall in the room where it’s heating or cooling, although other mounting options are available. The indoor unit is small enough to go relatively unnoticed, ensuring it won’t disrupt your home’s decor. 

3. Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal heat pumps employ the steady consistency of the earth’s temperature to keep your home comfortable. While the upper layers of soil are susceptible to temperature change, temperatures a few feet down remain constant year-round, hovering between 50 and 60 degrees. 

So, when the sun’s summer fury is attempting to bake the earth, or the winter’s icy chill envelops the climate with its frigid tentacles, the temperatures remain unbothered a few feet into the soil. These even temperatures work favorably for heating and cooling systems, allowing geothermal heat pumps to use the earth as thermal storage. 

Geothermal heat pumps use the same principle as air source heat pumps: refrigerant to harness heat and transport it between locations. The pressurized refrigerant allows the system to gather and dispose of heat through pipes extending through the ground. 

Since the temperatures in the soil remain far above the temperature threshold, when it becomes difficult to extricate heat, these systems function well year-round, even in the winter. This steady consistency makes them perfect for Lake Tahoe homes, as the area experiences all four seasons. 

4. Stand-Alone Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps are an excellent choice for temperate climates that enjoy mostly warm seasons. They transfer heat throughout the year, ensuring the indoor temperature remains steady and comfortable. 

While these units can be an outstanding standalone option in warm climates, they usually aren’t the best heat pump system option as a singular unit for Lake Tahoe homeowners. They can be an excellent pick if you pair them with a secondary heat source, such as a boiler or a furnace. However, since they need a buddy to perform well year-round in Lake Tahoe, we usually recommend dual-fuel systems to ensure year-round comfort. 

Contact the Pros at InMotion Mechanical for Personalized Assistance to Find the Best Heat Pump System

Without proper know-how and experience, choosing the perfect heat pump system for your home can be a chore. Selecting the best fit hinges on various factors, including your budget, location, and preferences, so it’s not quite as easy as selecting one and running with it. 

This is where we come in. Our experienced, knowledgeable team at InMotion Mechanical is well-versed in the ins and outs of the best heating and cooling pumps for Truckee or Lake Tahoe homes. We can help you select the best option.  Call us at (530) 210-2275 in Truckee or South Lake Tahoe or (775) 686-3555 in Nevada to schedule an appointment today!