When it comes to heat pumps and air conditioners, one can’t choose between the two. We experience changing weather throughout the year which means we need both cool and hot air frequently. To answer if a heat pump is better than an air conditioner is solely dependent on your requirement at the moment. You also need to learn about heat pump maintenance to protect it in the longer run.
In summer we use air conditioning to remove the warm air from our premises and cool it down. In winter, however, we need the exact opposite. Both heat pumps and air conditioners are equally important. Both have a somewhat similar working mechanism. But some factors separate heat pumps from air conditioners apart from the usability factor.
How Does a Heat Pump Generate Heat?
The working mechanism of a heat pump is quite simple. It uses a burner to generate heat and blowers to blow air into the air ducts which is guided to the desired location in the house. A heat pump uses air from the outside which is purified and blown. A heat pump usually generates enough heat from outside air for the home to heat it at 70 degrees. But a low heat output means the heat pump switches into an auxiliary or extra hot mode as there is no heat available outside. The system switches to another heat source to increase heat and save time.
The Components of A Heat Pump
A typical heating and cooling system from the heating source is comprised of two components sometimes referred to as the split system that is equipped with indoor air handling equipment and outdoor units. The Heat Pump System is made of an array of parts and is easy to use.
How are Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners Different?
When you are looking to invest in HVAC systems, you can get heating and cooling in a single purchase. Both systems are powered by compressed refrigerated air, which absorbs heat when you blow it into a piping device and reverse it back to the piping unit. Heat pumps and cooling systems transfer heat inside a house to another location outdoors. Air Conditioning can be a useful solution to reducing the amount of warm air in your home and can cool the house. Air Conditioning pumps the heat from homes, much like heat pumps when running at cooling.
The Basics of Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps
When cooling is used, a heating pump and air conditioning are doing the basic same thing i.e transferring processed air to your house and removing the unwanted air out. Heating pumps, air conditioners, and other units are different kinds of units that maintain the temperature. But heat pumps have a single task which is to generate warm air.
Differences Between Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners
The air conditioner provides no heating but the heat pump does. Thanks to reverse valves installed in outside units, heat pumps absorb heat and transfer it to the home, thereby releasing the air so they can be used even at the lowest temperatures. The heat pump heats the cool air while the air conditioning does not. Air conditioners are frequently linked with furnaces during the warmer months. Air conditioning and heating combine to provide a complete heating and conditioning system.
Is a Heat Pump More Efficient Than An Air Conditioner?
Contemporary central air conditioners work very effectively. Efficiency is measured by Seasons Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). It is the ratio of total heating removed in summer divided by the electrical energy total of a unit. The air conditioning unit has SEERs as low as 14 degrees. Heat pump units also have SEER ratings. Almost everything meets this requirement.
Heat pumps can be equally efficient as air conditioners when the winter season begins. Heat pump technology has many advantages. Heat pumps can heat your house much more efficiently than furnaces or boilers. Here are some added benefits of a heat pump:
Heat Pumps Can Improve Air Quality
Heat pumps also have a filter for airflow which captures larger particles such as pollen and bacteria. Some heating pump systems have more robust filters like the antimicrobial filter. Heat pump systems do not burn fuel during heating operations, thereby significantly improving air quality for indoor areas. A combustion boiler rejects fuel combustion gases directly outside of a structure.
Energy Incentives
Most heat pump systems show energy-saving statistics because of their highly efficient working mechanism. Since heat pumps have room-by-room temperature controls, these are more precise and more responsive than central systems, they are difficult to maintain and often produce uneven temperatures across room sizes. With the use of a heat pump, the residence can control its temperature and reduce energy costs as well.
Pros & Cons of A Heat Pump
Although a heat pump is a very effective appliance and can be used by people living in colder areas. However, along with the advantages, some disadvantages come with it:
Pro: Elimination of Gas and Fuel bills
Heat pumps unlike furnaces do not run on fossil fuels such as gas or oil. If you swap your home heating system with a heat pump, then you can eliminate the costs of such energy bills.
Con: Electrical Usage Will Increase
As mentioned, heat pumps do not operate on fossil fuels which means you won’t have to pay for that. Instead, they are dependent on electrical energy for their operation. That can sometimes be costly as the temperature can vary a lot in colder areas. If your heating pump requires maintenance then it will start consuming more energy causing your electricity bills to skyrocket. However, maintaining the heat pumps can improve energy efficiency and benefit you in the longer run.
Pro: They are Efficient
Heat pumps are equipped with modern technology. They have controls that allow you to maintain the temperature according to your requirement. Automatic adjusting thermostats have become very common these days that are pre-installed in heat pumps. These thermostats cut the power supply once the desired temperature has been attained.
Con: Difficult Production Process
Unlike a simple furnace, a heat pump is generally much more expensive and difficult to produce. Since it uses radiators, there has to be a lot of effort put into designing the heat pump to ensure the right size of radiator is fitted in each. Other parts of a heat pump are also quite difficult to develop along with the precise calibration that has to be done for every heat pump.
Pro: User-Friendly
As technology is progressing day by day, appliances like heat pumps are becoming easier and easier to use. It can be operated by a simple thermostat control that is installed in your home where there is easy access. All you have to do is turn the dial and set the temperature goal for the heat pump to achieve. Hence, they are user-friendly and provide a lot of comforts.
Which System is Right for You?
At this point, you’re probably thinking about questions related to HVAC systems best to fulfill your requirements. Both a heating pump and a cooling unit is an excellent selection, but they can be much easier depending on the conditions you’re living in. The most important consideration in choosing heating systems you need to make are as follows:
Cost to Operate
In cold weather indoors, the heating pump system is energy-saving and uses only electrical energy. In such situations, the operation of these devices is cheaper as opposed to those which have higher fuel prices. As the temperature falls below freezing, a furnace requires more fuel to keep a comfortable interior. You could easily remedy the problem using a heating pump and an electric furnace, which creates hybrid heating systems. Due to their higher initial cost, hybrids are sometimes more costly than common teamed units such as airconditioning/heating systems.
Cost of Purchase and Installation
Although heat pumps provide a cheaper unit in the home, outdoor units are typically cheaper than air conditioners. You need to understand the cost of installing the heating and cooling system. Carrier HVAC technicians can assist you with cost estimates.
Conclusion
To conclude, there is no definite answer to the question of which system to opt for. It is solely based on your requirement. If your residence is in Louisiana, then you should probably opt for an air conditioning system. But if you’re living in some cold region then a heat pump system would be the right call for you to make. These days you can find energy-efficient remedies for both purposes.
Green Street HVAC is a family-owned and operated HVAC company that has been serving the community for many years. We offer services that include AC Repair, AC Installations, HVAC Maintenance, HVAC Preventive Maintenance, Heat Pumps, Comfort Club Maintenance Plan, Furnace Repair, HVAC Maintenance, Smart home products, Thermostat Repair and Installation, Dryer Vent Cleaning Services, Duct Cleaning, Aeroseal Ductwork Cleaning, Ductwork Repair Maintenance, Commercial HVAC Maintenance, and others. We have 24/365 emergency service, so don’t get in touch with us.
