Although heat is included in the name, you can use a heat pump for AC. It works by moving heat instead of making it (unlike furnaces) which is why it is used as a heating and cooling appliance. It's true that heat pumps can be very efficient, but most air conditioners are similar in terms of SEER rating. Just examine these two top of the line systems from Lennox.
XC25 Air Conditioner
up to 26 SEER
ENERGY STAR® Qualified
XP25 Heat Pump
up to 23.5 SEER
up to 10.2 HSPF
ENERGY STAR® Qualified
What is SEER and HSPF?
SEER is an efficiency guideline for air conditioning systems, and the larger the number, the more efficient it is. The difference between 23.5 and 26 is not crazy though, and the efficiency differs depending on the model. On the other hand, HSPF is another scale that stands for "heating seasonal performance factor" and is unique to heat pumps. It tells you how efficient the unit is at heating. You can tell from these examples that as far as energy effiency goes, air conditioners are almost equal, if not a little better depending on the model you choose. The largest difference between them 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 hotter 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 pro who has experience in your area before deciding on a heat pump. If the equipment just isn't right for your home, you could have very high electric bills. Once the temperature drops too low, it's difficult 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 might end up running your heat pump non-stop or switching on emergency heat 24/7 during cold snaps which drives your energy consumption up.
How does a heat pump stack up against a furnace?
A furnace is a
stronger heating system and is essential for certain colder climates. That’s because a heat pump has issues when the temperatures hit about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. As strange as it may seem, during heating season, a heat pump is intended to remove heat from the air outside and use it to warm the inside air. Just because the air outside feels cold, there is still a sufficient amount of heat for the heat pump to function well, but at extremely low temperatures there is not enough heat available outside to warm the inside air to higher temperatures needed to stay warm. So while a heat pump may be great during the heating season for someone in Tampa, someone living in upstate New York with a heat pump may also need a furnace for the more extreme temperatures. If you don’t have a furnace that kicks in when the freezing temperatures hit, the heat pump can run for hours trying to keep your home warm enough.
How to achieve maximum efficiency with your heat pump
In certain areas, heat pumps can be used with geothermal systems, and the heating source is better for the environment since it is not burning fossil fuels and, instead, uses the Earth’s native temperature to heat and cool. This is a fantastic alternative for specific northern climates, but extra land must be available in order to install the correct piping for a geothermal system.
Just what you needed – one more thing to think about when it comes to your home comfort; but, remember, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each heating and cooling system so you don’t end up investing in a system that doesn’t work when extreme temperatures hit, or investing in multiple systems when one would suffice.
If you can’t decide which system would best fit your needs, call Eveready Service Experts to
schedule a free in-home quote. We are here to answer any and all of your questions to ensure you make the right choice for your home.