When it comes to cooling your home, either a heat pump or an air conditioner will suffice. Both systems collect and transfer heat from inside your home as air passes over the coil in the air handler. (Carrier)
However, as the name implies, a heat pump can assist in heating a home in mild climates. Heat pumps and air conditioners can perform similarly when cooling. Both a heat pump and an air conditioner have advantages and disadvantages, as well as some minor and significant variations. Knowing the variations will enable you to choose which might be most suitable for you.
Here are few of the differences between air conditioners and heat pumps:
Heat pumps perform similarly to traditional air conditioners in many ways. A heat pump can reverse itself to provide heating when necessary, which is the only real difference between them. In essence, it is an air conditioner with self-reversing capabilities.
Heat pumps are devices that can move heat both inward and outward, from the interior to the outside (for cooling) and vice versa (heating). It is one of the popular choices among many homeowners across the nation because they provide a cost-effective way to heat and cool your home. (This Old House, 2022)
On the other hand, air conditioners are less expensive but their utility costs can be higher. So, are you still confused with which HVAC system, an air conditioner, or a heat pump, is best for your house?
While both systems function similarly when cooling your home, there are some significant differences when it comes to heating. Although heat pumps can absorb heat from cold environments, they can be very ineffective when the temperature drops below freezing. Because of this, the majority of heat pumps operate in tandem with a furnace to deliver effective heating during the winter. Hybrid heating is what it is called.
However, while choosing the AC or Heat pump, consider the below factors:
Cost: The best way to determine the price of a new heat pump vs. the air conditioner is to get an estimate, but it must be remembered that factors specific to your home and climate can affect the final cost.
Efficiency: The primary key distinction between the two systems is that a heat pump has the ability to raise interior temperatures by reversing the process by switching the function of the evaporator and condenser coils.
Durability: The durability of the system is a crucial consideration. While there are many factors that have a big impact on an HVAC system's lifespan, AC units typically last longer than Heat Pumps. Heat pumps typically last for 15 years, whereas air conditioners typically last for 15 to 20 years, depending on the climate and how well the unit is maintained.
When choosing between heat pumps and air conditioners, you can think about these factors and benefit from our expert advice.
Texas Comfort Solutions is focused and committed to giving you honest HVAC services at a fair price. We’re a local veteran and family-owned business dedicated to treating you and your home with care, respect, and integrity. Our team of reliable and experienced technicians has been repairing, maintaining, and installing HVAC systems in the Houston area since 2004.
A professional energy audit can determine the optimal approaches for your home. By contacting in-home energy specialists, you can have a better understanding of where your home is wasting energy, how to fix the problem, and which rebates and incentives are available to make your renovations both energy and cost-efficient.
Work Cited
Carrier. (n.d.). Heat pumps vs air conditioners: Compare heat pump vs AC. Carrier. Retrieved August 26, 2022, from https://www.carrier.com/residential/en/us/products/heat-pumps/heat-pumps-vs-air-conditioners/
How much does a heat pump cost? This Old House. (2022, July 22). Retrieved August 26, 2022, from https://www.thisoldhouse.com/heating-cooling/reviews/heat-pump-cost
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