Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioner: Which One is Right for Cooling Your Home

Although heat is in the name, you can use a heat pump for air conditioning. It works by shifting heat instead of generating it (furnaces burn fuel to generate heat) which is why it can be used as a heating and cooling appliance. It’s true that heat pumps can be very efficient, but most air conditioners are similar in terms of their efficiency. Just examine these two top of the line units from Lennox. 

What is SEER and HSPF? 

SEER is an efficiency scale for air conditioning systems, and the bigger the number, the cheaper it is to operate. The difference between 23.5 and 26 is not crazy though, and the efficiency differs depending on the model. On the other hand, HSPF is another scale that stands for “heating seasonal performance factor” and is specially for 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 biggest difference between them is that heat pumps can also warm up your home while an AC only cools. 

Does climate matter for heat pumps? 

Heat pumps are most effective in hotter climates with mild winters, save for some integrated systems that use heat pumps as a backup, such as with a geothermal system. You should speak 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 very high electric bills. Once the temperature sinks too low, it’s difficult 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 may unknowingly begin 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 to a furnace? 

A furnace is a stronger heating system and is critical for certain chillier climates. That’s because a heat pump has difficulty when the temperature hits about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or 4.4 degrees Celsius. As peculiar as it may seem, during cooler temperatures, a heat pump is intended to extract heat from the outdoors and use it to warm the inside air. Just because the air outside feels cold, there is still a sufficient amount of heat for the heat pump to operate correctly, but at extremely low temperatures there is not enough heat available outside to increase the inside temperature high enough to stay warm. So while a heat pump may be ideal during the cooler temperatures for someone in Tampa, someone living in upstate New York with a heat pump would likely also need a furnace for the more extreme temperatures. If freezing temperatures hit and you don’t have a furnace to take over, a heat pump could 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 as it is not burning fossil fuels and, instead, uses the Earth’s natural temperature to heat and cool. This is a wonderful alternative for specific northern areas, but more land must be available in order to install the essential 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 review 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’re not sure which system would work best for you, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule a no-charge in-home quote. We are here to answer any and all of your questions to make sure you make the right decision for your home.