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 shifting heat instead of creating it (furnaces burn fuel to generate heat) which is why it also is used as a dual function unit. 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 units from Lennox. 

What is SEER and HSPF? 

SEER is an efficiency scale for ACs, and the bigger the number, the better it is. The difference between 23.5 and 26 is not great though, and the efficiency differs depending on the model. On the other hand, HSPF is a different standard that stands for “heating seasonal performance factor” and is unique to heat pumps. It tells you how efficient the unit is at heating. Notice from these examples that as far as energy efficiency goes, air conditioners are mostly equal, if not a little better depending on the system you choose. The greatest difference between them is that heat pumps can also heat your home while an AC cannot. 

Does climate matter for heat pumps? 

Heat pumps are more effective in warm climates with mild winters, save for some integrated systems that use heat pumps as backups or auxiliary, such as with a geothermal system. We recommend a consultation with a ACE certified HVAC technician who has experience in your region before deciding on a heat pump. If the equipment just isn’t right for your area, you could have extremely high electric bills. Once the temperature gets 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 could end up 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 stronger heating system and is necessary for certain colder climates. That’s because a heat pump has issues when the temperature hits about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius. As weird as it may sound, during cold weather, a heat pump is intended to pull heat from the outdoors and use it to heat the inside air. Just because the air outside feels cold, there is still an adequate amount of heat for the heat pump to work properly, but at extremely low temperatures there is not sufficient heat available outside to increase the inside temperature high enough to stay warm. So while a heat pump may work perfectly during the cooler temperatures for someone in Orlando, someone living in upstate New York with a heat pump would likely 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 fantastic alternative for particular northern climates, but additional land must be available in order to install the correct piping for a geothermal system. 
 
When it comes to home comfort, you probably didn’t need anything else to think about; but, remember, it’s important to examine the pros and cons of each heating and cooling system so you don’t end up purchasing a system that turns off when extreme temperatures hit, or investing in multiple 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 free in-home quote. We are available to answer any and all of your questions to make sure you make the right choice for your home.