Portable Heat Pump: Everything You Should Know
A portable heat pump works like a portable air conditioner but in reverse. It brings hot air into the space. A much better way to heat a space is by using ambient air.
The same concepts underlie how portable heat pumps and air conditioners function. They have a noticeably smaller form factor. Continue reading, you will learn more facts about the portable heat pump.
Table of Contents
What is a Portable Heat Pump?
A portable heat pump operates in the opposite direction of a portable air conditioner. A portable heat pump distributes hot air into the room as opposed to releasing the hot air “byproduct” through ducting to an external outlet. The best way to heat a room is by using ambient air.
How Do Portable Heat Pumps Work?
The same principles that govern conventional heat pumps apply to portable air conditioners with heat pumps. They have a noticeably smaller form factor. A sleek, portable container that is small in size and houses the entire heating and cooling system that can be easily moved around the house.
Like your mini-split or ducted systems, air-source heat pumps are the most popular kind of portable heat pump. The heat pump uses the straightforward refrigeration cycle for cooling. In the condenser, a refrigerant is first compressed, then it is blown over. Then it is quickly expanded, which causes it to cool down even more. The evaporator coils receive the refrigerant after it has been cooled, which absorbs heat from the interior space. The exhaust heat from the condenser, which would typically be directly ejected outside into the environment, is instead routed through an exhaust pipe and then out in a portable heat pump.
The procedure is reversed when using a portable heat pump for heating during the winter. Your room becomes warm and comfortable as heat is drawn from the outside and emitted into the interior space.
What Are the Advantages of Portable Heat Pumps?
To help you decide if portable heat pumps are the best choice for you, we’ve listed some advantages.
High Portability
This distinguishes portable heat pumps. They are portable, light, and small in size. Most portable heat pumps come with underbody wheels, which make it simple to move them around the house.
Hassle-Free Installation
Heat pump-equipped portable air conditioners do not require installation. A contractor in HVAC is not required to turn these heat pumps on. You don’t need to change your windows or make holes in your walls. To vent the air outside, just extend a flexible hose through your window. Portable air conditioners are literally available for free installation anywhere.
Can Heat and Cool a Room
A single unit that can run all year long at the desired temperature is much more affordable than buying and storing two units, one for the warmer months and one for the cooler ones. The ability of heat pumps to deliver both warm and cool air is their best feature, which should be obvious by now.
Energy Efficiency
When compared to using two separate units, a portable AC and heater use significantly less energy. In light of this, if you purchase this unit, you will definitely save money on your electricity bills. Investing in an energy star appliance ensures even greater efficiency!
Minimal Size
A window heat pump can occupy valuable window space, as was previously mentioned. A separate heating and cooling unit in your room at the same time is inconvenient and takes up space that could be used in another way. Both tasks can be completed by a portable heat pump with air conditioning, which will free up a lot of space.
What Are the Disadvantages of Portable Heat Pumps?
Nothing is flawless, sadly. However, there are a few drawbacks to portable heat pumps that keep them from always being the best option.
Limited Coverage for Cooling Or Heating
Small spaces are intended to be heated or cooled by portable heat pumps. They are perfect for spot cooling but do not perform well in large areas.
Placement
Portable air conditioners must be placed close to a window in order to be able to release the accumulated moisture from your home. A pan that collects water that needs to be replaced is included with some heat pumps. This might restrict the possible locations for your unit.
Can Be Noisy
Portable heat pumps are all contained inside your home, as opposed to central units or mini-splits, which have everything boxed into separate, larger packages. For some people, this can be annoying and noisy.
Portability
It’s important to keep in mind that while the portability of these pumps is unquestionably a pro, it’s not always as simple as moving your pump to your bedroom at night, the bathroom in the morning, the living room during the day, and so on. If your portable heat pumps have hoses, moving them several times throughout the day is not very convenient because they are bulky and heavy.
What is Portable Heat Pump Efficiency?
For small spaces, portable heat pumps are extremely effective. Without using multiple appliances with varying efficiencies, you can achieve both cooling and heating with a single heat pump.
Make sure the appliance is Energy Star-certified before purchasing a portable air conditioner with a heat pump. The strict energy efficiency standards established by the US Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency are met by an appliance that has earned the Energy Star certification. This further raises the device’s SEER and reduces your utility costs.
Single Vs. Dual Host Heat Pumps
Portable air conditioners draw air in from one place and expel it from another. Dual hose pumps use the additional hose to draw in air, as opposed to single hose heat pumps, which only drain outdoor air from one hose. One costs more even though it is more effective!
Single-Hose Heat Pumps
These are the simplest varieties of portable heat pumps, requiring only one hose to be extended outside. Air from inside the room is drawn into the heat pump, which then cools or heats it using a compressor. Following that, the hose directs the heat and moisture that must be removed from the space outside.
The fact that the room needs to be constantly refilled with air due to the constant airflow into the portable heat pump is a drawback of this system. This is warm air that can enter through tiny cracks under doors or windows (or cold air during the winter).
These items are more affordable and much simpler to move around. Small spaces, they work well.
Dual-Hose Heat Pumps
A dual-hose portable heat pump uses two separate hoses, one for the inlet air and one for the exhaust air, as the name suggests. The dual-hose heat pump draws its air from the outside, as opposed to a single-hose heat pump, which pulls air in from within the room. The compressor and other heat pump parts begin to heat up after the interior air has been cooled.
Through the intake hose, outside air is drawn in and used to cool the compressor while also cooling the component parts. In comparison to a heat pump with just one hose, this air is then expelled outside through the exhaust hose.
A dual-hose heat pump is the best option if you need to cool or heat a larger room. These portable air conditioners are more expensive and consume more energy, but they also work better.
Why You Should Get a Portable Heat Pump?
If I can easily get a mini-split or a window heat pump, why would I need a portable heat pump? This has a fairly straightforward solution. Installation is necessary for a window heat pump or mini-split, which are frequently semi-permanent installations. This is particularly true for mini-split heat pumps because installation typically costs thousands of dollars. A mini-split cannot be moved once it is set up unless all of the mounting hardware is removed.
A window heat pump would require some clearance in your windows or even in your wall. The most aesthetically pleasing setup for your heating or cooling requirements is not that one. Additionally, if your windows are small, a heat pump may take up the entire space, leaving little room for light to enter.
This is where a transportable heat pump can help. Due to the fact that they are plug-and-play appliances, installation time is reduced. For heat pump installation, you don’t even need to contact a separate contractor. It’s much simpler to complete everything at home on your own. All you have to do is connect the portable heat pump to the electrical outlet and point the exhaust pipe outside through the window.
A portable heat pump is the best option if your room is small, you have limited window space, or you want to avoid paying for mini-split installation. For spaces like a dog house or a bathroom, portable heat pumps are also perfect. The best part is that your portable heat pump is simple to move close to your favorite couch for customized heating or cooling!
Are Portable Heat Pumps Worth It?
A portable heat pump with AC should definitely be taken into consideration if you live in a small apartment and have limited space in the room. You can maintain year-round comfort thanks to the space savings, energy efficiency, and convenience that make up for the initial investment.
Conclusion on Portable Heat Pump
A portable heat pump with AC is something you should definitely think about if you live in a small apartment and have limited space in the room. You can stay comfortable all year long thanks to the space savings, energy efficiency, and convenience that come with these upgrades. There are numerous heat pump options to take into account, though, if your needs are different.