How Much Does a Heat Pump Cost? What are the Benefits of a New Heat Pump?

Pricing for Heat Pump

In Spokane, a heat pump ranges in price from $4700 to $7000. The price of your heat pump will depend on a number of factors including size of your home, level of energy efficiency, installation variances and quality. The quality would be determined by a good-better-best offering and the variances would depend on the difficulty of the install. While this may be a hefty price tag, there is good news. Energy.Gov states that a heat pump can operate at about one quarter of the cost of a conventional heating/cooling appliance. That means big savings in the long run!

Additionally, there are often rebates available both from the manufacturers and/or your local utility company. Our experts are happy to help you determine what rebates may be available for you.

What is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is installed outside of a home and connects to your current system. This system draws air from outside of your home and circulates hot or cool air throughout your home. When it’s cold outside, the heat pump extracts outside heat and transfers it inside. When it’s warm out, the air will reverse and remove heat from your home.

A heat pump is an energy efficient alternative that takes the place of both furnace and air conditioning units. Smart technology has brought heat pumps to the forefront of the heating/cooling industry for their superior efficiency and eco-friendly operating system.

Benefits of a Heat Pump

There are plenty of benefits to owning a heat pump versus a traditional HVAC system. While heat pumps may seem expensive upfront, they save money by running more efficiently. Heat pumps are more efficient because they move heat instead of generating heat. They are also easier to maintain because they play double duty for both heating and cooling needs.

If you’re tired of a malfunctioning AC unit or a furnace that doesn’t heat or cool your home properly, it might be time to invest in a heat pump. For more information on the year-round performance of a heat pump, contact Sturm Heating & Air Conditioning! We work hard to provide residents of the Spokane area with superior home comfort through a range of products and services. Whether it’s the hottest day of the summer or coldest day of winter, a heat pump will provide you and your family with ultimate comfort. To schedule your appointment with a Sturm Heating & Air Conditioning technician, please call (509) 325-4505.

5 Tips to Maintain Your Hot Water Heater

A hot water heater is generally not a piece of household mechanics to which you give much thought. However, when it breaks or malfunctions, you will wish you had taken the time to go over this handy list of preservation tips. Here are 5 things you should check regularly to keep this unsung hero of household comfort running well.

Inspect for leaks – This includes checking for water leakage and natural gas. Take some time to inspect all the plumbing joints for signs of corrosion. Put your nose to work investigating flex hose and couplings to make sure you don’t smell any natural gas. Additionally, ensure that the area is free from combustible materials near the flame.

Check water pressure – The water heater pressure relief valve (TPR) is an important safety component of a water heater, and a malfunction can have disastrous consequences. Rheem recommends testing the valve every six months. To check your water pressure, make sure the pressure relief valve opens and closes freely.  Be sure to place a bucket below the discharge tube or into a floor drain. After lifting the valve, hot water will flush through the valve and its discharge tube. Also, take a moment to turn the hot water on at a nearby faucet and listen for any unusual noises. If water does not flow freely when the valve is opened or you hear unusual noises, the pressure relief valve should be replaced. If you find that you have problems with your valve, then you will need to call in a professional.

Check water temperature - Test the temperature to make sure that it is heating to the desired warmth. Most people keep water heaters at a much higher setting than is necessary. In addition to being a huge waste of energy, it can create a risk of scalding. The recommended setting for most homes is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have small children, consult your doctor to see the ideal temperature for your heater to prevent burns. Another great tip is to turn your water heater to vacation mode when are out of town for an extended period of time. To check your water temperature run hot water at the tap closest to the water heater for at least three minutes. Then fill a glass and check the temperature. If the water is above 120 degrees, adjust the dial, wait about three hours and check again.  For a final test, check the temperature the following morning, before anyone uses hot water.

Inspect the Anode Rod – If you have an older hot water heater, it is important to check the anode rod once a year to ensure that there are no holes or excessive mineral build up. The anode rod is the most important factor in determining the life of your water heater. An anode rod is a steel core wire surrounded with one of three different metals often causing corrosion when mixed with water. In order to check the condition of the anode rod, it will have to be removed from the tank. Whether reinstalling an existing, still-good anode rod, or installing a new replacement for it, this can easily be done on a DIY basis or with an inspection from an HVAC technician.

Flush your tank – Twice a year take some time to open the spigot on your water heater and drain several gallons from the tank. In order to flush your water heater a hose will have to be put into the tank itself. All of the water will be drained out, but what’s important is that all of the sediment and mineral buildup within that tank is flushed away. This simple step will prevent sediment from forming into a solid mass . Sediment buildup in the tank can reduce your water heater's energy efficiency and also clog your water lines.  If you are unsure of the correct procedure for draining your hot water heater, contact a professional.

If you find that your hot water heater is not operating at peak efficiency, it might be time to purchase a new one. Contact the experts at Sturm Heating and Cooling. We offer a full line of conventional and tankless water heaters from top brands including Ruud, Rheem, AO Smith, Rinnai and Navien.