Heat Pump vs Air Conditioner: Which Works Better?

Heat Pump vs Air Conditioner

Both systems work to keep your home cool when temperatures rise outside. A compressor uses refrigerant to cool the air. A blower motor or fan pushes the air into your central AC or heat pump ductwork and distributes it throughout your home. 



They work by collecting the heat inside your home and transferring it outside. This cools the indoor air in the same way whether you’re using an air conditioner or a heat pump. While the way they operate is a little different from a technical standpoint, they essentially do the same job when it comes to cooling. There will be little difference in efficiency or energy costs.

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Heat Pump

If you’re comparing a heat pump system vs a central AC system for your home, however, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

Heating & Cooling

A heat pump uses a reversing valve to change over from cooling to heating so all your climate control is handled by the heat pump system. Your air conditioner can’t do that. However, if you’ve already got an energy-efficient furnace  to heat your home, you may not need a heat pump.

Costs

A heat pump will cost you more upfront. Assuming you already have the ductwork in place, you can expect a heat pump to cost about 1.5 to 2 times the cost of whole-house AC. A big part of the cost differential is that your heat pump handles cooling and heating.

Longevity

AC units typically last longer than heat pumps. They’re only used for part of the year during the cooling season while heat pumps are used for both cooling and heating. You’ll need to balance that out against the cost of maintaining both a separate heating and cooling system.

Heating & Cooling Efficiency

If you’re wondering whether heat pumps cool as well as air conditioners, the answer is yes - if you buy the right one. When you’re considering a heat pump vs AC, you’ll want to check the Seasonal Energy Efficient Rating (SEER).  As long as the numbers are the same, you’ll get the same efficient performance out of a heat pump that would from a stand-alone air conditioning system.

Heat pumps will see diminished efficiency for heating when it drops below freezing. They’ll use more energy to draw heat out of the cold outside air. Many heat pump systems in colder climates include an auxiliary electric heater to maintain heat in extremely cold weather. This can also add to costs. That’s why some homeowners use a furnace and a heat pump.

Air conditioners can sometimes struggle when the outdoor temperatures are extremely hot while heat pumps can handle the higher temperatures better.

AC vs Heat Pump: Which Is Better For My Home?

Which is better: a heat pump system or central AC? The answer will depend on your situation. You’ll pay more upfront for a heat pump but it will handle your heating and cooling efficiently. If you live in a cold climate, you may need auxiliary heat which can increase the initial cost.



If you just need to cool your home and don’t need the heating element or you’ve already got an energy-efficient heating solution, AC is probably the way to go. If you have to replace your furnace, you’ll want to evaluate whether a heat pump is a better solution.