Does the term “heat pump” confuse you? Many people find the term perplexing when discussing heat pumps and cooling. However, heat pumps can cool the air and function similarly to air conditioners, with some minor and not-so-minor differences. If you need to replace your home’s cooling system, knowing the difference can help you decide which system might work well for you. As you read further, you’ll learn more about how the two systems operate, their efficiency and performance ratings, and what to expect when it comes to installation costs.
What Is a Heat Pump?
Despite its name, a heat pump serves a dual purpose: It heats and cools the home using a heat transfer process. During chilly seasons, the heat pump removes warmth from the outdoor air and brings it inside. When warmer air settles over the region, the pump reverses and removes heat from the home, transferring it outside. Heat pumps use electricity and refrigerant to make the heat transfer process go smoothly and provide homes with year-round comfort.
Heat pumps provide many benefits to homes, such as:
- No reliance on fossil fuels
- A single system for heating and cooling
- Fewer emergency repairs due to simplicity and fewer mechanical parts
- Reduced energy costs
What Is an Air Conditioner?
Many homes in Shreveport use traditional air conditioning systems to cool their homes. A traditional AC system provides a cool, comfortable environment by removing heat and humidity from indoor air. A common misunderstanding about how air conditioning systems work is that they produce cool air. However, these systems actually transfer heated air from the home.
The cooling process begins inside the compressor, where the chemical refrigerant’s temperature and pressure elevate. After this process ends, it continues in the condenser coil, where the heated gas refrigerant changes to liquid and releases outside. Once the refrigerant releases the heat, it moves to the evaporator coil, where evaporation and indoor heat absorption from the indoor air begin.
To cool the refrigerant, the AC system uses a fan that blows air across the evaporator coil to cool it. While this cycle happens, the heated refrigerant gas returns to the compressor and continues repeating itself until the optimal indoor temperature is achieved. In simpler terms, AC systems cool the home by removing indoor heat.
The Similarities Between Heat Pumps and AC Units
Heat pumps and air conditioners both do wonderful jobs keeping Shreveport homes cool. They both use compressed refrigerant to transfer heat outside. If the average person looks at an air conditioner and heat pump, they likely won’t notice any visual differences. They look fairly similar, and when operating in cooling mode, no real difference in operation or efficiency exists.
The Difference Between Heat Pumps and AC Units
While heat pumps and AC units work similarly when cooling homes, the same isn’t true when it comes to heating. The most significant difference between a heat pump and an air conditioner is that AC units don’t produce or transfer heat. A heat pump, thanks to its reversing valve technology, can heat and cool a home. An air conditioner only cools the home. To effectively cool and heat your home when you have an AC, you need to pair it with a furnace. HVAC professionals refer to this pairing as a split system.
Which System Is Right for Your Home?
Heat pumps and air conditioners perform well and give homeowners much to consider when deciding which system to select. When you need to replace your current cooling system, consider the following.
Initial Cost
The indoor component of a heat pump system often costs less than your typical indoor air handler. However, the outdoor unit often has a more expensive price tag compared to a traditional AC unit. The following factors can influence how much heat pump installation costs:
- Square footage of the home
- Type of heat pump system (air vs. ground)
- Any backup heat source, if needed
- Condition of existing ductwork
While a heat pump isn’t any better than an AC at cooling the home, if you want to save money on upfront installation costs, AC installation might be less expensive.
However, both types can run the gamut in terms of cost when you factor in efficiency ratings, comfort features like built-in humidifiers and dehumidifiers, and custom work needed to fit the system to your home’s specifications. Most heat pumps and air conditioners cost anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 to purchase and install. Overall, a budget-friendly heat pump isn’t any more expensive than an upgraded AC with a higher efficiency rating.
Efficiency
An air conditioner’s and heat pump’s efficiency (when in cooling mode) is measured by its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The higher the SEER, the more efficient the unit. Both types have models with high SEER ratings. The most efficient models have ENERGY STAR® certifications. The highest SEER rating you can purchase as of this writing is 25. However, you don’t need to spend money on a model with this rating. You can get wonderful performance and save money on energy costs with an air conditioner or heat pump with a SEER rating between 14 and 16.
Repairs and Lifespan
Heat pumps come in as the clear winner when it comes to repairs. Heat pumps have fewer mechanical parts than air conditioners, which means they break down less often. However, when considering lifespan, heat pumps come in second. Since heat pumps have a dual purpose, they run more often and experience more failure caused by excessive wear and tear than their single-purpose counterparts.
Choose a System That Meets Your Needs
When it comes down to it, a heat pump isn’t any better than an AC. Each system has its pros and cons, and homeowners need to choose a system that meets their current and future needs. Some homeowners like only having one system to worry about. Others prefer installing a system that’s more familiar to them. Both systems offer superior efficiency and performance when you select top brands.
Reliable HVAC Experts
Are you ready to replace your home’s cooling system? At Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co., our HVAC experts want to help you choose a new cooling system that fits your home and budget. In business since 1959, we’ve seen our fair share of change in the industry and continuously stay ahead of it. We know the demand for greater comfort and more efficient systems continues to rise, and our team always goes above and beyond to provide our customers with smart AC design, solid installation, and exceptional customer service.
We never consider a job complete until our customers give their approval. Whether it’s furnace maintenance, AC repair, or new heating and cooling installation, like a heat pump, we treat every job with the utmost consideration. We spend time with you listening to your needs and determining which system fits your budget and comfort levels. For all your cooling needs in Shreveport, call Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. today!
