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 transferring heat instead of generating 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 most air conditioners are similar in terms of energy efficiency. Just examine these two luxury level cooling systems from Lennox. 

What is SEER and HSPF? 

SEER is an efficiency scale for air conditioning systems, and the larger 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 another scale that stands for “heating seasonal performance factor” and is designed to grade heat pumps. It tells you how efficient the equipment is at heating. You can tell from these examples when comparing efficiency ratings, air conditioners are mostly equal, if not a little better depending on the model you choose. The greatest difference between the two 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 warmer 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 pro 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 extremely high electric bills. Once the temperature gets too low, it’s near impossible 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 unknowingly begin 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 stack up against a furnace? 

A furnace is a more robust heating system and is necessary for certain colder climates. That’s because a heat pump has difficulty when the temperatures hit about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. As peculiar as it may seem, during heating season, a heat pump is purposed to extract heat from the outdoors and use it to heat the inside air. Even when it feels cold outside, there is still a sufficient amount of heat for the heat pump to operate correctly, 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 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 some areas, heat pumps can be used with geothermal systems, and the heating source is better for the environment because it is not burning fossil fuels and, instead, uses the Earth’s native temperature to heat and cool. This is a wonderful alternative for specific northern areas, but additional 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 understand the pros and cons of each heating and cooling system so you don’t end up investing in a system that shuts down when extreme temperatures hit, or investing in two 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 complimentary in-home quote. We are happy to answer any and all of your questions to ensure you choose the right option for your home.