Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioner: Which is Better for Energy Efficiency and Year-Round Comfort?
Cooling Systems Heating Systems
Indianapolis summers are no joke, and neither are those soaring energy bills. When the outside air heats up, you want to know that your indoor air is going to stay comfortably cool… without breaking the bank. So what is the most reliable and energy efficient home cooling option? Many homeowners scratch their heads over the difference between a central air conditioner and a heat pump, and wonder which might be better in extreme and moderate climates.
After all, heat pump and AC units look very similar and both provide indoor cooling. So what’s the difference, and which is right for your home? Read on to learn about what makes air conditioners and heat pumps unique, the advantages of each, and how to choose the best option..
All About Heat Pumps and AC Systems
When it comes to heating and cooling your home, heat pumps and air conditioning (AC) units are two popular options. While they may look similar and share some functions, they operate differently and serve different purposes.
How Air Conditioners Work
An air conditioning (AC) unit is designed to cool your home by removing heat from the indoor air and expelling it outside. AC systems consist of an indoor air handler (typically part of a furnace or air handler system) and an outdoor condenser unit. The process works as follows:
- Heat Absorption: Warm indoor air is drawn over evaporator coils filled with refrigerant.
- Heat Transfer: The refrigerant absorbs heat and carries it to the outdoor unit.
- Heat Release: The outdoor unit releases the heat into the outside air.
- Cooling Cycle: The cooled refrigerant cycles back inside, repeating the process.
Since AC units only provide cooling, they are usually paired with a furnace or other heating system to keep homes comfortable year-round.
What Is a Heat Pump and How Does it Work?
A heat pump works similarly to an air conditioner in cooling mode, but it can also provide heating by reversing the process. This makes it an energy-efficient option for both cooling and heating. A heat pump consists of:
- Cooling Mode: It operates just like an AC unit, removing heat from your home and releasing it outdoors.
- Heating Mode: In colder months, the process reverses. The system extracts heat from outdoor air (even in cold temperatures) and transfers it inside to warm your home.
Heat pumps can work efficiently in moderate climates but may need supplemental heating in extremely cold weather. Some homeowners pair them with electric or gas furnaces for more reliable heating in freezing temperatures.
How Heat Pumps are Similar to Central Air
When it comes to household cooling, a heat pump and AC are essentially the same machine. Both systems use the refrigeration process to extract heat energy and moisture from inside air, and then release the heat into the outside air, using refrigerant, copper coils, fans, and a compressor.
Moisture removed from the air drips into a condensate collection pan and then drains away. Both systems use a powerful fan indoors to circulate the cool air (which results from heat removal) through ducts and into rooms.
Heat Pump Advantages Over AC
You might be wondering if heat pumps and air conditioners are so similar, what makes us recommend one over the other? The answer is a little more complex than you might think, with both air conditioners and heat pumps having certain advantages and disadvantages.
Year-Round Comfort
Among all the heat pump advantages, the main one is that you get both cooling and heating with the heat pump. It provides high-efficiency cooling in the summer, and efficient heating in the winter. To warm your home, a reversing valve in the heat pump switches the flow of refrigerant.
As the inside and outside refrigerant coils flip-flop their roles in the process, heat energy is extracted from the outside air, brought inside and released into the interior air. This means with a single unit, you can keep your home at a comfortable temperature all year long.
Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings
A well-maintained air-source heat pump can deliver three times the heat energy as the electric power that goes into it. This is far more efficient than even the most efficient gas furnace, which can never do better than 100 percent efficiency.
Studies show that an average home in the US can save $370-1,000 a year by switching to a heat pump over natural gas.
Environmentally Friendly Operation
Using a heat pump is a more sustainable choice for heating and cooling your home, because it uses available resources (the air outside) to get the job done, rather than relying on fossil fuels. This reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and shrinks your carbon footprint.
Longevity and Low Maintenance Costs
Air conditioners and heat pump systems both require regular maintenance to operate at peak performance, but most of this upkeep is simple and cost-effective, and can be DIY’d. It includes changing filters every 90 days, cleaning coils, checking refrigerant levels, and having checkups by a qualified HVAC technician.
Heat pumps may require more ongoing maintenance since they are running year-round, but they also tend to have a longer lifespan than most traditional air conditioners and furnaces.
Where do Air Conditioners Have the Advantage?
Heat pumps are great, but there are still reasons you might prefer traditional air conditioning.
Extreme Heat Performance
If you live in a very hot climate, a heat pump may not have quite enough power to cool your home effectively. A traditional air conditioner often has more oomph and a higher ability to keep the air at a much lower temperature. The same is true when it comes to heat pumps vs. furnaces in very cold climates.
In cold weather, a heat pump will struggle to extract sufficient heat from the outside air to heat a home comfortably. But most heat pumps come with an emergency or auxiliary heating element (or backup gas furnace) to take over when outside temperatures fall below freezing for extended periods.
Lower Upfront Costs
If you opt for a central air cooling system and install a standard air conditioning unit, you can expect to pay significantly less than you would for heat pump installation. That’s because an AC unit only serves one purpose, while a heat pump serves two.
In most places, you’ll require a furnace in addition to an air conditioner, which would raise costs if you installed them at the same time. While air conditioners are generally less expensive, you could rack up additional costs if your home isn’t ready for central air.
In that case, a “mini-split” might be a better alternative. A mini-split is an air conditioner with an outdoor unit and one or more smaller indoor units to cool individual spaces. It’s a ductless system, so it doesn’t require as much money or work as installing a new central air conditioner, and it’s shown to be more energy efficient than a traditional AC.
Simplicity of Function
Many people view an air conditioner’s singular purpose as a good thing. It does one job, and it does it well. Some consumers prefer not to rely on one piece of equipment, like a heat pump, for their entire home heating and cooling. Especially in warmer regions, having a traditional central AC is often a better choice, as it has the power and purpose needed to keep your home cool, without capabilities you just don’t need.
Choosing the Right Option for Your Home
Deciding whether to install a heat pump or an air conditioning system depends on many factors. First, you’ll need to consider your environment. Heat pumps may be better for moderate climates that don’t get too hot or too cold. In hot areas, an air conditioner may be better suited for your needs.
You’ll also need to consider lifestyle. If environmental sustainability is important to you, you may choose something like a geothermal heat pump, which relies on the steady temperatures below ground to heat and cool your home. It is also a far more eco-friendly option.
Finally, you’ll want to think about cost. Heat pumps — especially geothermal units — come with a heftier pricetag upfront, though they may save you more down the road. Air conditioners are more economical at the start, but may lead to higher monthly electric bills.
Why Heat Pumps are Gaining Popularity
Because they are more energy efficient, heat pumps are being heavily promoted to homeowners ready for a replacement HVAC system. Tax incentives and rebates are being offered at the federal and state level to make them more attractive to consumers.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 offers a federal tax credit, and is valid through 2032. There are other residential and appliance rebates available, though many of those have a cap of around $2,000. You may even find your utility providers offer rebates or incentives for installing a heat pump, so be sure to check before you make a decision.
Get Expert Help with Airtron Today
In Indianapolis, our moderate climate means your home may be a perfect candidate for an energy efficient heat pump. While the summer heat may feel extreme, we’re a pretty temperate location that experiences all four seasons. However, depending on your home, your lifestyle, and your budget, a traditional air conditioner may make more sense.
There’s a lot to consider, but luckily, you’ve got your trusted partners at Airtron. You can count on us for advice and insights as you make the decision on how to cool your home, but most importantly, you can count on us for your and your family’s comfort. For help finding a quality heat pump or AC for your Indianapolis area home, give us a call or schedule a service appointment today!
