Heat Pumps

Close up of a heat pump.

Foss Heating & Cooling is experienced in the service, repair, and installation of heat pumps in Mount Vernon, WA, and its surrounding area. A heat pump is a device that transfers heat from one place to another, from indoors to outdoors or from outdoors to indoors. For homes with no access to natural gas, heat pumps offer an efficient and reliable solution for heating and cooling.

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

In the winter, a heat pump works like a heater, extracting heat energy from outside and transferring it inside. In the summer, the process reverses, and it will remove heat from your home and transfer it outside like an air conditioner. Heat pumps do this so well that many people in warmer climates exclusively rely on a heat pump for year-round comfort. For those living in colder climates, they use electric-powered heat pumps in conjunction with their gas or oil furnace resulting in lower heating costs.

Heat pumps work with a series of coils drawing energy from air, water, or the ground. In this way, they are very environmentally friendly and are the most energy-efficient way to heat and cool your home. Heat pumps also work extremely efficiently, because they simply transfer heat, rather than burn fuel to create it. This makes them a greener alternative to traditional gas or oil furnaces. Though you may think you’re unfamiliar with them, they traditionally heat swimming pools and hot tubs, so you most likely have come in contact with them and not even known it.

Different Types of Heat Pumps

There are three types of heat pumps: air-to-air, water source, and geothermal. As mentioned above, they collect their heat from the air, water, and outside-your-home ground and concentrate it for use. Call Foss Heating & Cooling to discuss the basic differences between these types and which one would work best for you and your home.

Are Heat Pumps Expensive?

Installation costs of heat pumps are higher than with a traditional furnace or air conditioner, but the savings over time in annual energy costs make up for the difference in five to ten years. Performing proper operation and maintenance of your heat pump will also save you money, as you’ll use less energy, thus resulting in less cost. Be sure to ask your HVAC professional for the proper thermostat setting and the indoor pump’s fan operation. Not following the recommended guidelines can inhibit the maximized running of the pump and can degrade the unit itself. Regular maintenance can prevent degradation as well. Consistent filter changing or cleaning is necessary for a well-running heat pump. Seasonal cleaning of coils and fans go a long way in preventing poor energy efficiency that can end up costing you more money. The energy difference between a well-maintained system and a neglected one can be anywhere from 10 to 25 percent.

To determine the appropriate type of heat pump for you, which can be contingent upon the geography and climate around your Mount Vernon, WA or surrounding-area home or office space, or to discuss any of these topics, call us today at 360-336-1517 or request service online for an evaluation.

Need Heat Pump Service?

Contact the experts at Foss Heating & Cooling.

Call us at 360-336-1517!

Heat Pump Maintenance in Anacortes, WA 98221

“Michael came out to do the first maintenance on a duel fuel HVAC system that FOSS installed last year. He was very professional, knowledgable and personable, and even stayed late on a Friday afternoon to install an air scrubber that was not part of the original plan. I had been thinking about one recently, and he provided a lot of information, and gave me time to do my research online while he did his maintenance. Since he had an ozone-free model in the truck, he just installed it then and there. And cheerfully too, esp at 5 PM on a Friday. Very excellent service”

– Barb T.

Heat Pump Maintenance in Sedro Woolley, WA 98284

“The first annual check up on my heat pump. Michael MacLachian was the service technician that arrived to do the work. Very involved and thorough going through the equipment inside and out, replacing the filter, even checking the outside fan and cage to make sure all was clean and in good working order. I was very pleased with Michael, how efficiently and professionally he did his job. Just like the crew that did the installation a year ago. All hard workers, no cutting corners, quality workmanship, equipment and product. Would always recommend Foss, he hires the best! That is why when the inspector came to check the installation last fall, he said "he never worries about Foss workers not doing top quality work"”

– Lynette P.

Heat Pump Maintenance in Camano Island, WA 98282

“Michael was great. He was personable and easy to understand when he explained the service that he was doing. We learned a lot about our heating system and look forward to the Spring meeting. Thanks, Michael.”

– Stan & Sherry H.

Heat Pump Installation in Stanwood, WA 98292

“Everyone was great. Polite and very knowledgeable”

– Molly M.

Heat Pump Maintenance in Burlington, WA 98233

“Very good service. I would highly recommend Foss heating and cooling. Mr. Beaver was very patient and thoroughly explained everything to me.”

– Mike D.

Heat Pump Maintenance in Stanwood, WA 98292

“Great customer service. Thanks for answering all my questions.”

– Steve M.

Heat Pump Maintenance in Mount Vernon, WA 98274

“Patient and thorough. Knowledgeable and honest about issues.”

– Soumya P.

Heat Pump Maintenance in Sedro Woolley, WA 98284

“Brett knows his stuff. He was punctual, friendly and informative. Service was performed efficiently, and Brett answered all my questions. Very pleased with service from Foss.”

– Joseph M.

Heat Pump Repair in Sedro Woolley, WA 98284

“Knowledgeable, very polite, and explained very well. They are welcome to service our system anytime.”

– David R.

Heat Pump Maintenance in La Conner, WA 98257

“Darien was a perfect point of contact for your company. Will call again next year. Thanks!!”

– Howard B.


Foss Heating & Cooling proudly provides HVAC service to Mount Vernon, Anacortes, Burlington, Bow, Camano Island, La Conner, Sedro Woolley, Stanwood, and the surrounding communities. Visit our service area page for more coverage details, call us at 360-336-1517, or request service online today.