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 cooling. It works by moving heat instead of generating it (furnaces burn fuel to generate heat) which is why it is used as a two way unit. It’s true that heat pumps can be very efficient, but most air conditioners are similar in terms of SEER rating. Just compare these two top of the line cooling systems from Lennox. 

What is SEER and HSPF? 

SEER is an efficiency rating for ACs, and the bigger the number, the cheaper it is to operate. The difference between 23.5 and 26 is not crazy however, and the efficiency changes 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. We can see from these examples when comparing efficiency ratings, air conditioners are almost equal, if not superior depending on the model you choose. The greatest difference between heat pumps and ACs is that heat pumps can also heat your home while an AC can’t. 

Does climate matter for heat pumps? 

Heat pumps are much more effective in warmer 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 region before getting your heart set on a heat pump. If the equipment just isn’t right for your climate, you could have extremely high electric bills. Once the temperature gets 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 could unknowingly begin running your heat pump non-stop or switching on emergency heat 24/7 during colder months which drives your energy consumption way up. 

How does a heat pump stack up against a furnace? 

A furnace is a more robust heating system and is critical for certain colder climates. That’s because a heat pump has issues when the temperature hits about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or 4.4 degrees Celsius. As weird as it seems, during cold weather, a heat pump is purposed to remove heat from the outside air and use it to warm the inside air. Although it may be too cool outside for comfort, there is still a sufficient amount of heat for the heat pump to function well, but at exceptionally low temperatures there is not enough heat available outside to warm the inside air to higher temperatures needed to stay warm. So while a heat pump may work perfectly during the heating season 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 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 be used with geothermal systems, and the heating source is better for the environment since it is not burning fossil fuels and, instead, uses the Earth’s native temperature to heat and cool. This is a fantastic alternative for certain northern areas, but extra 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 review the pros and cons of each heating and cooling system so you don’t end up installing a system that doesn’t work 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 make the right decision for your home.