Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioner: Which One is Right for Cooling Your Home
Although heat is part of the name, you can use a heat pump for AC. It works by transferring heat instead of making it (unlike furnaces) which is why it also is used as a two way system. It’s true that heat pumps can be very efficient, but also know that most air conditioners are about equal in terms of SEER rating. Just compare these two top of the line units from Lennox.


What is SEER and HSPF?
SEER is an efficiency rating for air conditioning systems, and the higher the number, the cheaper it is to operate. The difference between 23.5 and 26 is not great however, and the efficiency varies depending on the model. On the other hand, HSPF is a rating system that stands for “heating seasonal performance factor” and is unique to heat pumps. It tells you how efficient the equipment is at heating. We can see from these examples that as far as energy efficiency goes, air conditioners are about equal, if not superior depending on the model you choose. The largest difference between heat pumps and ACs is that heat pumps can also add warmth to your home while an AC only cools.
Does climate matter for heat pumps?
Heat pumps are most effective in hotter climates with mild 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 tech who has experience in your area before getting your heart set on a heat pump. If the equipment just isn’t right for your home, you could have very high electric bills. Once the temperature drops too low, it’s difficult for the heat pump to draw heat out of the air and it may never reach the temperature set by your thermostat. This means you might start running your heat pump non-stop or switching on emergency heat 24/7 during colder months which drives your energy consumption up.
How does a heat pump compare with a furnace?
A furnace is a more robust heating system and is necessary for certain colder climates. That’s because a heat pump has issues when the temperatures hit about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius. As unusual as it sounds, during heating season, a heat pump is designed to pull heat from the air outside and use it to heat the inside air. Just because the air outside feels cold, there is still plenty of available heat for the heat pump to work properly, but in exceptionally cold climates there is not ample heat available outside to warm the inside air to higher temperatures needed to stay warm. So while a heat pump may be ideal during the winter months for someone in Tampa, someone living in upstate New York with a heat pump would likely also need a furnace for the more extreme temperatures. If you’re living in those colder climates without a furnace to kick in during freezing temperatures, a heat pump may run for hours trying to make your home warm enough for comfort.
How to achieve maximum efficiency with your heat pump
In many 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 natural temperature to heat and cool. This is a great alternative for particular northern areas, but more land must be available in order to install the proper piping for a geothermal system.
We know, we know – you didn’t need another thing to think about when it comes to 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 buying a system that doesn’t work when extreme temperatures hit, or investing in two systems when one would suffice.
If you still aren’t convinced which system is best for your home, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule a no-charge in-home quote. We are happy to answer any and all of your questions to help you choose the right option for your home.