An AC and heat pump work fundamentally the same, although the heat pump has more functionality. Like its name suggests, a heat pump can also heat your home, along with providing the same cool comfort that an air conditioner provides.
Both the AC and heat pump provide summertime comfort by removing heat from the air. When they run, they pull the interior air over a coil that is filled with refrigerant. This refrigerant absorbs the heat in the air and it flows to the condenser, where the heat is dispersed into the outdoor air in the same way your refrigerator sends off heat into the air when it runs.
The Big Difference
Unlike an air conditioner, a heat pump has a reversing valve that makes it capable of absorbing the heat in the outside air during cooler months and heating your home with it. It may seem hard to believe, but there is still ample warmth in the air outdoors until the temperature falls below freezing.
Some homeowners in this region debate between an AC and heat pump for their next HVAC upgrade. A heat pump offers the distinct advantage of being able to supply heat during the fall and spring so that you won’t have to run a gas or oil furnace or boiler. Some heat pumps, called hybrids, combine both combustion furnaces with heat pumps for greater fuel savings during the heating season.
Energy Efficiency of Heat Pumps vs. Air Conditioners
The U.S. Department of Energy evaluates the cooling efficiency of both heat pumps and air conditioners the same, based on how much heat they remove given their electrical consumption. The rating is called the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER).
Heat pumps have another rating called the heating season performance factor (HSPF) that tells consumers how efficiently the system will heat their homes. In this region, a high-efficiency heat pump will provide greater energy savings and comfort year-round.
If you’d like to learn more about AC and heat pump benefits, contact Ace Hardware Home Services. We provide trusted HVAC services for the Dayton region.