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 air conditioning. It works by transferring heat instead of making it (the way a furnace does) which is why it also is used as a two way system. It's true that heat pumps can be very efficient, although most air conditioners are similar in terms of SEER rating. Just compare these two top of the line cooling systems from Lennox.

What is SEER and HSPF?

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

Does climate matter for heat pumps?

Heat pumps are more effective in warm climates with milder winters, save for some integrated systems that use heat pumps as a backup, such as with a geothermal system. We recommend a consultation with a ACE certified HVAC tech who has experience in your city before settling on a heat pump. If the equipment just isn't right for your climate, you could have extremely high electric bills. Once the temperature drops too low, it's much harder for the heat pump to draw heat out of the air and it may never warm your home to the temperature you set. This means you could start running your heat pump non-stop or switching on emergency heat 24/7 during colder months which drives your energy consumption through the roof.

How does a heat pump compare to a furnace?

A furnace is a more powerful heating system and is critical for certain cooler climates. That’s because a heat pump has issues when the temperatures hit about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius. As odd as it may sound, during cooler temperatures, a heat pump is designed to remove heat from the outside air and use it to heat the inside air. Although it may be too cool outside for comfort, there is still an adequate amount of heat for the heat pump to operate correctly, but in exceptionally cold climates there is not sufficient 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 heating season for someone in Daytona Beach, someone living in upstate New York with a heat pump would probably also need a furnace for the more extreme temperatures. If you don’t have a furnace that kicks in when the freezing temperatures hit, the heat pump can 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 work 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 native temperature to heat and cool. This is a wonderful alternative for certain northern areas, but extra land must be available in order to install the correct 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 purchasing a system that shuts down when extreme temperatures hit, or investing in multiple systems when one would suffice.

If you can’t decide which system would best fit your needs, call Coastal Service Experts to schedule a free in-home quote. We are happy to answer any and all of your questions to help you choose the right option for your home.