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 moving heat instead of making it (the way a furnace does) which is why it also is used as a two way appliance. 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 look at these two luxury level systems from Lennox.

What is SEER and HSPF?

SEER is an efficiency guideline for air conditioning systems, and the larger the number, the better it is. 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 equipment is at heating. We can see from these examples by looking at the SEER rating, air conditioners are almost equal, if not superior depending on the system you choose. The largest difference between heat pumps and ACs is that heat pumps can also warm up your home while an AC only cools.

Does climate matter for heat pumps?

Heat pumps are more effective in hotter climates with milder 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 pro who has experience in your city before deciding 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 much harder 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 unknowingly begin running your heat pump non-stop or switching on emergency heat 24/7 during winter which drives your energy consumption up.

How does a heat pump compare with a furnace?

A furnace is a more powerful heating system and is necessary for certain chillier climates. That’s because a heat pump has trouble when the temperature hits about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius. As weird as it may seem, during heating season, a heat pump is purposed to pull heat from the air outside and use it to warm the inside air. Even when it feels cold outside, there is still a sufficient amount of heat for the heat pump to work properly, but at exceptionally low temperatures there is not ample heat available outside to increase the inside temperature high enough to stay warm. So while a heat pump may be great during the winter months 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 certain areas, heat pumps can work 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 natural temperature to heat and cool. This is a great alternative for certain northern areas, but additional land must be available in order to install the required 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 turns off when extreme temperatures hit, or investing in two systems when one would suffice.

If you’re not sure which system would work best for you, call Finch Air Conditioning & Heating to schedule a free in-home quote. We are happy to answer any and all of your questions to help you make the right decision for your home.