Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioner: Which One is Right for Cooling Your Home

Although heat is included in the name, you can use a heat pump for air conditioning. It works by moving heat instead of making it (furnaces burn fuel to generate heat) which is why it is used as a dual function system. It's true that heat pumps can be very efficient, but also know that most air conditioners are about equal in terms of their efficiency. Just examine these two high quality systems from Lennox.

What is SEER and HSPF?

SEER is an efficiency rating for air conditioners, and the higher the number, the better it is. The difference between 23.5 and 26 is not astounding though, and the efficiency differs depending on the model. On the other hand, HSPF is another scale that stands for "heating seasonal performance factor" and is specially for heat pumps. It tells you how efficient the system is at heating. You can tell from these examples that as far as energy effiency goes, air conditioners are mostly equal, if not superior depending on the model you choose. The biggest difference between heat pumps and ACs is that heat pumps can also add warmth to your home while an AC can't.

Does climate matter for heat pumps?

Heat pumps are much more effective in hotter climates with less severe winters, save for some integrated systems that use heat pumps as backups or auxiliary, such as with a geothermal system. We encourage you to consult with a ACE certified HVAC technician who has experience in your city before getting your heart set on a heat pump. If the equipment just isn't right for your area, you could have extremely high electric bills. Once the temperature sinks too low, it's much harder for the heat pump to draw heat out of the air and it may never hit the temperature setting on your thermostat. This means you may unknowingly begin running your heat pump non-stop or switching on emergency heat 24/7 during cold snaps which drives your energy consumption through the roof.

How does a heat pump compare to a furnace?

A furnace is a more robust heating system and is critical for certain chillier climates. That’s because a heat pump has issues when the temperature hits about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius. As strange as it sounds, during heating season, a heat pump is designed to pull heat from the air outside and use it to warm the inside air. Although it may be too cool outside for comfort, there is still plenty of available heat for the heat pump to work properly, but at exceptionally low temperatures there is not enough heat available outside to increase the inside temperature high enough to stay warm. So while a heat pump may work perfectly during the winter months for someone in Daytona Beach, someone living in upstate New York with a heat pump may also need a furnace for the more extreme temperatures. If freezing temperatures hit and you don’t have a furnace to take over, a heat pump could run for hours trying to keep your home warm enough.

How to achieve maximum efficiency with your heat pump

In certain areas, heat pumps can be used with geothermal systems, and the heating source is better for the environment as it is not burning fossil fuels and, instead, uses the Earth’s actual temperature to heat and cool. This is a fantastic alternative for particular northern areas, but more land must be available in order to install the essential piping for a geothermal system.

Just what you needed – one more thing to think about when it comes to your home comfort; but, remember, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each heating and cooling system so you don’t end up installing a system that turns off when extreme temperatures hit, or investing in additional systems when one would suffice.

If you can’t decide which system would best fit your needs, call Midland Air Service Experts to schedule a no-charge in-home quote. We are happy to answer any and all of your questions to help you make the right decision for your home.