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 AC. It works by shifting heat instead of creating it (unlike furnaces) which is why it also is used as a dual function unit. It’s true that heat pumps can be very efficient, although most air conditioners are similar in terms of energy efficiency. Just look at these two high quality cooling systems from Lennox. 

What is SEER and HSPF? 

SEER is an efficiency guideline for air conditioners, and the larger the number, the cheaper it is to operate. The difference between 23.5 and 26 is not crazy however, and the efficiency varies depending on the model. On the other hand, HSPF is a rating system that stands for “heating seasonal performance factor” and is designed to grade heat pumps. It tells you how efficient the unit is at heating. You can tell from these examples by looking at the SEER rating, air conditioners are about equal, if not even better depending on the model you choose. The largest difference between heat pumps and ACs is that heat pumps can also heat your home while an AC only cools. 

Does climate matter for heat pumps? 

Heat pumps are much more effective in warm climates with milder winters, save for some integrated systems that use heat pumps as an auxiliary, such as with a geothermal system. You should speak with a ACE certified HVAC technician 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 unnecessarily high electric bills. Once the temperature drops too low, it’s near impossible 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 cold snaps which drives your energy consumption way up. 

How does a heat pump stack up against a furnace? 

A furnace is a more powerful heating system and is essential for certain colder climates. That’s because a heat pump has difficulty when the temperatures hit about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius. As unusual as it may seem, during cold weather, a heat pump is intended to remove 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 function well, 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 great 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 you’re living in those colder climates without a furnace to kick in during freezing temperatures, a heat pump may run for hours trying to make your home warm enough for comfort. 

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 native temperature to heat and cool. This is a wonderful alternative for particular northern areas, but additional land must be available in order to install the required 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 understand the pros and cons of each heating and cooling system so you don’t end up investing in 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 Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule a free in-home quote. We are happy to answer any and all of your questions to help you choose the right option for your home.