BVS Home Experts

Do Heat Pumps Dehumidify?

Want to upgrade your home with a high-efficiency heat pump? BVS Home Experts can help! Call (281) 809-6417 today!

Installing a heat pump makes a great way to heat and cool your home without requiring a traditional HVAC system. However, many homeowners don’t know how heat pumps function and wonder, “Do heat pumps dehumidify indoor properties?” To help you understand how heat pumps work, BVS Home Experts created a guide explaining their operation and dehumidifying abilities. 

BVS Home Experts has provided the greater Katy and West Houston area with top-quality heating and cooling service for over 42 years. If you need first-class heat pump installation in Texas, look no further than our skilled technicians.

What Is a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps refer to unique fixtures that have become all the rage over the last few years. They offer one of the most energy-efficient heating and cooling systems currently available and don’t require as much space as a traditional central air conditioner. These viable alternatives to conventional HVAC units provide exceptional heating during winter and outstanding cooling during Texas’s scorching summers. 

Do Heat Pumps Regulate Humidity?

Although heat pumps provide nearly identical benefits as traditional heating and cooling systems, many Texas residents don’t know if they help regulate humidity levels, causing them to ask, “Do heat pumps dehumidify interiors?”

Heat pumps make fantastic dehumidifiers and remove excess moisture from indoor spaces. In fact, heat pumps prove more efficient at reducing interior humidity than traditional HVAC units. 

How Heat Pumps Remove Humidity

Heat pumps remove humidity through condensation and allow the water to drip into the drain pan. Many alter their runtime and speed according to your home’s needs, keeping the interior at an optimal and constant humidity level. This prevents mildew and mold growth, keeping your home’s indoor air clean and healthy.

When heat pumps run in cooling mode, they pull in warm air and push it through a chilled coil. This forms moisture along the coil that falls into a drain or collection pan, reducing your home’s moisture levels to make it more comfortable.

The Dry Mode Setting

Many heat pumps feature a dry mode setting that helps maintain your desired indoor climate while continually removing moisture. They alternate between cooling and heating, pulling in humidity without changing the temperature. 

Dry mode makes an incredibly beneficial option during summer since it eliminates humidity that causes your interior to feel hot. Since dry mode makes your home feel colder at higher temperatures, you can increase your indoor climate without sacrificing comfort, allowing you to save money on your monthly energy bills.

Do Heat Pumps Remove Humidity During Winter?

Heat pumps don’t remove humidity during winter since levels dramatically decline. Most homeowners don’t want overly dry air since it can adversely affect their health. Excessively dry air can lead to several health issues, including:

  • Worsened asthma and respiratory issues
  • Sore throat
  • Irritated eyes and skin
  • Nosebleeds

Despite popular belief, heat pumps don’t dry the air. They maintain optimal moisture levels by circulating air throughout your home. This keeps your interior comfortable while controlling humidity to enhance your indoor air quality.

Three Reasons Why Your Heat Pump Isn’t Removing Humidity

Sometimes, heat pumps experience issues that prevent them from regulating humidity effectively. This is one of the primary reasons technicians receive calls asking, “Do heat pumps dehumidify?” Fortunately, many heat pump problems have simple solutions that often don’t require professional services.

Below, we explain a few issues that prevent heat pumps from removing humidity.

1. Filthy or Damaged Evaporator Coil

Your heat pump’s evaporator coil plays an essential role in eliminating humidity. When the unit pushes air through the evaporator coil, it absorbs the moisture and heat within the air before the heat pump distributes it throughout your residence. When the evaporator coil becomes dirty, it can’t absorb heat or moisture efficiently, increasing your home’s humidity levels.

Cleaning the evaporator coil will restore the heat pump’s efficiency and ensure your home stays comfortable year-round.

However, sometimes evaporator coils become damaged due to excessive wear and other issues. Always contact an experienced technician to replace the coil and enhance your heat pump’s performance. You shouldn’t attempt DIY coil replacement since it involves relatively complex steps and often requires vast experience to complete efficiently.

2. Outdoor Air Infiltration

Many homes have foundation gaps that allow outdoor air to infiltrate their interiors. This causes your heat pump to work overtime to maintain your desired temperature and regulate moisture levels. Many heat pumps can’t keep up with the excess moisture and won’t adequately eliminate humidity until you patch the leaks.

If your home becomes overly humid and your heat pump runs optimally, look for gaps, holes, or leaks along your property’s foundation. Fixing the leaks will reduce your home’s humidity levels and take stress off your heat pump.

3. The Heat Pump Is Too Big

Having a correctly sized heat pump is crucial to ensure optimal performance. Oversized units can’t eradicate humidity efficiency and waste energy during operations. This can increase your energy bills while causing several other problems, including:

  • Short cycling
  • Unstable indoor temperatures
  • Excessive humidity
  • Increased wear and tear

Replacing your heat pump will enhance your home’s comfort and allow the unit to regulate moisture. Contact a heating and cooling specialist to assess your home and determine the best heat pump size. A technician will help you find the perfect system for your home and install it for a modest fee.

BVS Home Experts offers exceptional heat pump installation and will equip your home with a best-in-class model at a price that won’t burden your budget.

Contact BVS Home Experts for Top-Quality Heat Pump Services in Katy and West Houston

If you want to install a heat pump in your home but wonder, “Do heat pumps dehumidify interiors?” contact BVS Home Experts. Our team will explain everything you need to know about your heat pump so you can keep your home comfortable year-round. Whether you want to learn the different types of heat pumps or need professional installation, our technicians are here to help.

Call (281) 809-6417 and book your appointment in Katy or West Houston, Texas, today! 

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