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 making it (furnaces burn fuel to generate heat) which is why it is used as a dual function appliance. It's true that heat pumps can be very efficient, but also know that most air conditioners are about equal in terms of energy efficiency. Just look at these two luxury level systems from Lennox.

What is SEER and HSPF?

SEER is an efficiency guideline for air conditioners, and the bigger the number, the cheaper it is to operate. The difference between 23.5 and 26 is not great however, and the efficiency changes depending on the model. On the other hand, HSPF is another scale that stands for "heating seasonal performance factor" and is designed to grade heat pumps. It tells you how efficient the unit is at heating. Notice from these examples when comparing efficiency ratings, air conditioners are almost equal, if not even better depending on the AC you choose. The largest difference between them 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 more effective in warm climates with less severe winters, save for some integrated systems that use heat pumps as a backup, such as with a geothermal system. We encourage you to consult with a ACE certified HVAC pro 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 gets too low, it's difficult 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 could start running your heat pump non-stop or switching on emergency heat 24/7 during cold snaps which drives your energy consumption way up.

How does a heat pump compare with a furnace?

A furnace is a stronger heating system and is critical for certain cooler climates. That’s because a heat pump has difficulty when the weather hits about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. As weird as it sounds, during heating season, a heat pump is designed to remove heat from the outside air and use it to heat the inside air. Even when it feels cold outside, there is still plenty of available heat for the heat pump to operate correctly, but in exceptionally cold climates there is not sufficient heat available outside to heat the air inside to high enough temperatures needed to keep warm. So while a heat pump may be ideal during the cooler temperatures for someone in Daytona Beach, 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 some areas, heat pumps can work with geothermal systems, and the heating source is better for the environment since it is not burning fossil fuels and, instead, uses the Earth’s native temperature to heat and cool. This is a great alternative for specific northern areas, but additional land must be available in order to install the required 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 review 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 Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule a no-charge in-home quote. We are available to answer any and all of your questions to help you make the right decision for your home.