Anyone thinking about buying a new cooling system for their home will inevitably arrive at an impasse. The two main choices available are an air conditioner system or a heat pump, and they both work in very different ways. Let’s take a closer look at how these two methods of cooling work, so that you can make an informed choice.
How Do These Systems Cool Your Home?
The Heat pump cools the home by taking heat out of your home and transferring it outside to be dissipated. The air conditioner works similarly, and as a result, the home feels cooler. The method of cooling, in either case, works the same way and the result is a more comfortable home. The differences between these two methods of cooling becomes more obvious as you look closer and find they actually deviate in other ways.
How Do These Systems Heat Your Home?
The Heat pump can automatically reverse during the colder months of the year. This will take heat energy from outside the home and transfer it into the home. The result is a home that feels much warmer and more comfortable. This may seem like a strange method that would not work in practice when it’s very cold outside. In fact, even at lower temperatures, there is heat energy available to be transferred indoors.
An air conditioner cannot be used to heat your home in isolation, without some other kind of system. Another source of heat will be required, such as a boiler, a furnace or an electric heater. The heat generated by one of these methods can be distributed by the air conditioning system. The heat can be blown through the ducts to heat the home as required.
Which System Should You Choose?
This is quite a hard question to answer as every home has different needs based on a variety of factors, but here are some important considerations:
A heat pump would be a good choice for a home in milder or more temperate areas. It uses more energy to heat a home, especially in areas where the temperature frequently falls below 40 degrees F. It should be noted, that some recent advancements in heat pump technology have improved energy efficiency so that heating in colder climes is now a more viable option.
An air conditioning system will have differing operation costs and efficiency based on the kind of heating system that it’s being used with. An air conditioning system is also far easier and cheaper to install. When compared to the more complex heat pump, an air conditioner is a less complex piece of equipment, and it typically has a longer life span.
Some Final Thoughts:
As you can see, there are significant differences between a heat pump and an air conditioning system. The system that you choose needs to suit your needs, but it also has to be the right choice for your location. If you have any remaining doubts, it’s a good idea to contact a local heating company to offer some advice. Many heating and cooling specialists offer a complimentary in home estimate to help you in making the right choice.