Heat Pumps in Wisconsin

Did you know that you could heat and cool your house with one system? With a heat pump from Condon Total Comfort, you can.



During warmer months, a heat pump works as a normal air conditioner. It extracts heat from inside the home and transfers it to the outdoor air. In colder weather, however, the process reverses—the unit collects heat from the outdoor air and transfers it inside your home.

Even when the air outside feels extremely cold, the air still contains some heat. The heat pump pulls the heat from this cold outdoor air and sends it inside to warm your home. When there's not enough heat in the outside air to meet the demand of the thermostat setting, an electric heater supplements the outdoor air to warm the home. Extremely efficient, this process produces two to three times more heat than the energy it uses.

Did you know?

A heat pump can be an effective add-on option to use in conjunction with an existing gas furnace. With this dual-fuel option, the two systems share the heating load, but never function at the same time. Each system operates when it is most cost effective. The heat pump will be the primary heating and cooling system. However, when the temperature drops below the heat pump's ability to operate as efficiently, the gas furnace will take over until the temperature rises enough for the heat pump to operate again.

Discover more about these systems below— and see if one is right for your Ripon, Green Lake, Berlin, Oshkosh or Fond du Lac home.

Since the introduction of heat pumps into the residential market, they have become the energy efficiency workhorse of domestic heating and cooling. Heat pumps and AC units actually operate in similar ways, but transfer heat in different directions. Air conditioners use refrigerants to collect interior heat and vent it outside, while heat pumps are designed to transfer heat either way, depending on whether they are called upon to provide heating or cooling.

Modern Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are design to function efficiently in nearly all temperature ranges, including the seasonal extremes predictably found in Wisconsin weather. Heat pumps are powered by a relatively small amount of electricity and therefore can be quite efficient when compared to other electric resistance heaters (like baseboard heat). High-efficiency heat pumps also often qualify for Federal Tax Credits and other energy rebate programs.

Heat Pumps with Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems offer energy savings by allowing simultaneous heating and cooling in different locations in a home. A single VRF delivers conditioned refrigerant to each inside room to either heat or cool. These systems are ductless and consist of a large exterior VRF unit that is connected to interior condenser units in each zone or room.

The exterior and interior units are connected via conduit pipes. The attractive interior units come in several configurations and may be installed as ceiling or wall units. These VRF units feature high-efficiency heating and cooling as well as wireless precision controls. VRF systems offer flexibility in location and function at high efficiency under most temperature ranges.

Ductless heat pumps, or mini split heat pumps, are an alternative to radiator or baseboard heating, as well as a replacement for window units for cooling. No duct work is needed. Instead, a head unit, or multiple head units, are mounted on an interior wall or ceiling, with an accompanying unit outside.

Both of these heat pump systems work by transferring heat energy. The primary difference between the two is that mini-splits (ductless) use inverter technology, while ducted systems do not. Inverter technology allows the system to run continuously, adjusting capacity constantly to meet the temperature set point.

 If you are in need of ductless heat pump repair, contact us today!

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps draw heat from the air around the outdoor unit. These can be larger units connected to duct systems within the home. Heat pumps are rated using a pair of efficiency averaging scores:

• Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)

This measurement rates the heat pump's heating efficiency: a higher score indicates better energy savings. Heat pumps manufactured after 2005 are required to have a 7.7 HSPF. Heat pumps can rate as high as 13 HSPF.

• Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)

This measurement rates the cooling efficiency of heat pumps. Like the HSPF, the higher the SEER number, the better the efficiency. The minimum SEER score for heat pumps on the market today is 13.0, but heat pump manufacturers like Carrier offer heat pumps with SEER ratings of up to 20. Call us and let our CTC comfort specialists help you pick the best SEER rated model for your home and comfort level.

Geothermal heat pumps

The earth stores an amazing amount of continuously renewed energy just below the soil's surface. Geothermal systems draw from that energy and naturally convert it into conditioned air for heating and cooling homes. Modern geothermal heat pumps work perfectly with either a ducted forced air system (water-to-air or air-to-air) or a hydronic water-based system (air-to-water). Carrier and other CTC offered brands also offer a "split system" version of this technology to enhance an existing heating or cooling system.

What heat pump is best?

Energy efficiency is important. When making your selection, think about how low operating costs are little comfort if service and repair bills are high. Do your research, as our experts, and we will help you decide if a heat pump is right for your budget and your home.

Important Exterior Heat Pump Features

Make sure to think about features like a louvered, galvanized steel cabinet to protect the condensing unit from outdoor hazards. Make sure the cabinet is powder-painted with a high-quality enamel for improved durability and appearance.

Heat Pump Repair

Condon Total Comfort, Inc. has served Ripon and its surrounding communities for over 55 years. Our team of highly trained experts can walk you through estimates, initial heat pump inspections/maintenance and help you determine if a heat pump is right for your home or heating pump repair are necessary.

Heat Pump Repair Service

If you notice any of these signs, you may need an HVAC expert to look at your system:

• The outdoor unit or thermostat isn’t working
• There’s been ice or frost on the unit for more than a day or two
• Refrigerant leaks
• Broken reversing valves
• Electrical failures
• You haven’t scheduled annual maintenance in more than a year

Let Condon Total Comfort Help With Your Heat Pump Repair Services

Don’t let heating pump repair prevent you from keeping your home comfortable. Condon Total Comfort can help restore your system with our 24/7 emergency service. Give our representative a call to schedule your initial consultation today to discuss what services you’re most interested in.

Annual Heat Pump Maintenance

Don’t wait for something to go wrong to call on our team. Condon Total Comfort, Inc. offers annual heat pump maintenance to residents in Ripon and the surrounding areas. Our yearly maintenance program (Comfort Assurance Program) keeps your heat pump running with peace of mind all year long and provides significant savings whenever repairs are needed. Plus, you will gain a verified record of regular maintenance which is often required to fully qualify for protection under a manufacturer’s warranty.

Tap into the expert knowledge at Condon Total Comfort to see if converting to or adding a heat pump is the right move for you and your home. Call or contact us today. We’ll explain your options, as well as other energy-saving heating and cooling methods. Ask us about programmable thermostats, ductless split systems, and zoning to take total control of your home’s comfort.

Heat Pump Repair Companies Near Me