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 moving heat instead of generating it (the way a furnace does) which is why it is used as a heating and cooling appliance. It’s true that heat pumps can be very efficient, although most air conditioners are roughly equivalent in terms of SEER rating. Just compare these two luxury level units from Lennox. 

What is SEER and HSPF? 

SEER is an efficiency rating for air conditioners, and the larger the number, the cheaper it is to operate. The difference between 23.5 and 26 is not great though, and the efficiency changes depending on the model. On the other hand, HSPF is a different standard that stands for “heating seasonal performance factor” and is designed to grade 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 AC you choose. The largest difference between heat pumps and ACs is that heat pumps can also add warmth to your home while an AC cannot. 

Does climate matter for heat pumps? 

Heat pumps are more effective in warmer climates with milder winters, save for some integrated systems that use heat pumps as an auxiliary, such as with a geothermal system. We recommend a consultation with a ACE certified HVAC technician who has experience in your region before settling on a heat pump. If the equipment just isn’t right for your climate, you could have very high electric bills. Once the temperature drops too low, it’s much harder 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 start running your heat pump non-stop or switching on emergency heat 24/7 during winter which drives your energy consumption way up. 

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 trouble when the temperatures hit about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or 4.4 degrees Celsius. As odd as it seems, during heating season, a heat pump is intended to pull heat from the outside air and use it to heat the inside air. Just because the air outside feels cold, there is still plenty of available heat for the heat pump to function well, but at extremely low temperatures there is not sufficient heat available outside to heat the air inside to high enough temperatures needed to keep warm. So while a heat pump may work perfectly during the cooler temperatures 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 as it is not burning fossil fuels and, instead, uses the Earth’s actual temperature to heat and cool. This is a wonderful alternative for specific northern regions, but additional land must be available in order to install the needed 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 consider the pros and cons of each heating and cooling system so you don’t end up installing a system that turns off when extreme temperatures hit, or investing in two systems when one would suffice. 
 
If you can’t decide which system would best fit your needs, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule a free in-home quote. We are here to answer any and all of your questions to ensure you make the right decision for your home.