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

Although heat is included in the name, you can use a heat pump for AC. It works by moving heat instead of making it (unlike furnaces) which is why it is used as a heating and cooling system. It’s true that heat pumps can be very efficient, but also know that most air conditioners are similar in terms of SEER rating. Just look at these two luxury level units from Lennox. 

Air Conditioner
Heat Pump

What is SEER and HSPF? 

SEER is an efficiency rating for air conditioners, 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 unique to heat pumps. It tells you how efficient the equipment is at heating. You can tell from these examples that as far as energy efficiency goes, air conditioners are about equal, if not a little better depending on the AC you choose. The largest difference between the two is that heat pumps can also add warmth to your home while an AC only cools. 

Does climate matter for heat pumps? 

Heat pumps are most effective in warm 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 technician who has experience in your city before settling on a heat pump. If the equipment just isn’t right for your climate, you could have extremely high electric bills. Once the temperature sinks too low, it’s near impossible for the heat pump to draw heat out of the air and it may never hit the temperature setting on your thermostat. This means you could end up running your heat pump non-stop or switching on emergency heat 24/7 during colder months which drives your energy consumption through the roof. 

How does a heat pump compare with a furnace? 

A furnace is a more powerful heating system and is critical for certain cooler 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 sounds, during cooler temperatures, a heat pump is designed to remove heat from the air outside and use it to raise the temperature of the inside air. Just because the air outside feels cold, there is still an adequate amount of heat for the heat pump to function well, but at exceptionally 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 Daytona Beach, someone living in upstate New York with a heat pump would probably also need a furnace for the more extreme temperatures. If you don’t have a furnace that kicks in when the freezing temperatures hit, the heat pump can run for hours trying to keep your home warm enough. 

How to achieve maximum efficiency with your heat pump 

In certain areas, heat pumps can work 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 natural temperature to heat and cool. This is a fantastic alternative for particular northern regions, but more land must be available in order to install the proper 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 examine the pros and cons of each heating and cooling system so you don’t end up investing in a system that doesn’t work when extreme temperatures hit, or investing in additional systems when one would suffice. 
 
If you can’t decide which system would best fit your needs, call Stevenson Service Experts to schedule a no-charge in-home quote. We are available to answer any and all of your questions to ensure you make the right decision for your home.