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

Although heat is part of the name, you can use a heat pump for cooling. It works by transferring heat instead of generating it (the way a furnace does) which is why it can be used as a dual function appliance. It’s true that heat pumps can be very efficient, but most air conditioners are roughly equivalent in terms of their efficiency. Just look at these two top of the line units from Lennox. 

What is SEER and HSPF? 

SEER is an efficiency guideline for air conditioning systems, and the higher the number, the better it is. The difference between 23.5 and 26 is not astounding 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 unique to heat pumps. It tells you how efficient the system is at heating. We can see from these examples that as far as energy efficiency goes, air conditioners are mostly equal, if not a little better depending on the model you choose. The biggest difference between the two is that heat pumps can also warm up your home while an AC can’t. 

Does climate matter for heat pumps? 

Heat pumps are much more effective in warmer climates with mild winters, save for some integrated systems that use heat pumps as an auxiliary, such as with a geothermal system. We encourage you to consult with a ACE certified HVAC tech who has experience in your city before getting your heart set on a heat pump. If the equipment just isn’t right for your area, 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 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 colder months which drives your energy consumption through the roof. 

How does a heat pump stack up against a furnace? 

A furnace is a more robust heating system and is necessary for certain colder climates. That’s because a heat pump has issues when the weather hits about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius. As weird as it may sound, during cold weather, a heat pump is purposed to pull heat from the outside air and use it to heat the inside air. Even when it feels cold outside, there is still an adequate 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 heating season for someone in Orlando, someone living in upstate New York with a heat pump would probably 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 many 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 natural temperature to heat and cool. This is a great alternative for certain northern regions, but more land must be available in order to install the necessary piping for a geothermal system. 
 
We know, we know – you didn’t need another thing to think about when it comes to home comfort; but, remember, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each heating and cooling system so you don’t end up investing in a system that shuts down when extreme temperatures hit, or investing in additional systems when one would suffice. 
 
If you’re not sure which system would work best for you, call Chief/Bauer Service Experts to schedule a no-charge in-home quote. We are happy to answer any and all of your questions to ensure you make the right decision for your home.