Heat Pump vs AC: Which Is Best For Your Home?

Are you considering installing a heat pump vs. AC to cool your home? Heat pumps and air conditioners have a lot in common. They provide cool air using efficient refrigeration systems; most styles are electric. They even look alike to the untrained eye. However, heat pumps and air conditioners are different.

The chief advantage of heat pumps is they can operate in reverse to heat homes, but this feature is only practical for some homes. Heat pumps differ from air conditioners in cost, performance, maintenance, and lifespan. Understanding the nuances of each device will ensure you purchase the ideal unit for your needs.

A heat pump is a heating and cooling system that transfers heat outside in summer and inside in winter. Unlike most HVAC equipment, heat pump systems don’t require separate units for heating and cooling. Heat pump systems work year-round to provide homes with comfortable temperatures.

Homeowners looking at heat pumps have many styles to consider. Each design operates differently and carries advantages and disadvantages. Five types of heat pumps are installed in homes today: air-source, water-source, ground-source, absorption, and hybrid. The key distinction between each is the source they exchange heat with, air, water, or ground. Air-source heat pumps are the most common, but the ground and water-source heat pumps are more efficient.

There are other differences among heat pump types. All heat pumps transfer heat with refrigerants, but they might use Freon, water, antifreeze, ammonia, or a combination. Most heat pumps are electric, but alternative fuels power some styles. Particular heat pumps can be paired with gas furnaces for backup heating in cold climates.

An air conditioner is a cooling unit that uses refrigerants to remove humidity and heat from indoor spaces. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the home’s air, transfers it outside, and blows freshly cooled air into the house.

Air conditioning is possible for every home and budget due to the many styles on the market today. You’re sure to find an air conditioning unit that works for you whether you’re cooling an entire home or a single room, a small house or large house, or a home with ductwork or without.

Four types of air conditioners are commonly used in buildings today:

• Central air conditioners

• Mini-split air conditioners

• PTACs

• Window and portable units

Every style is electric and uses refrigerants to remove humidity and heat from indoor air, but each type contains distinct components, installs differently, and has individual requirements. Air conditioners also vary in efficiency and cost.

The way air conditioners operate is similar to how heat pumps work. Both air conditioners and heat pumps transfer heat using refrigerants and coils. Central air conditioning systems and split-system heat pumps operate identically. Refrigerant flowing through the system absorbs heat from the home’s air at the indoor evaporator coil, and the air handler’s fan blows the cooled air through ductwork and into the house. Then, the refrigerant containing the home’s heat flows outside to the compressor to be pressurized and heated. Next, the compressor pumps the refrigerant through the condenser coils. The condenser’s fan blows air that cools the refrigerant and releases the stored heat. Finally, the refrigerant enters the expansion valve to be depressurized and further cooled. The refrigerant flows back to the indoor coil to repeat the cycle.

Heat pumps and air conditioners operate alike, share many of the same components, and have other things in common. But heat pumps and air conditioners are different. The chief distinction between the two units is that heat pumps include a reversing valve that reverses the refrigerant’s flow to deliver heat to the home in winter. Air conditioners don’t have this component, so they can only extract heat from houses to cool them. Therefore, homes with air conditioners require separate units for heating, and places with heat pumps don’t. Heat pumps and air conditioners also differ in cost, installation, energy efficiency, performance, maintenance, and lifespan.

HomeGuide says heat pump installation costs $3,800 to $8,200 on average. Heat pump type, size, efficiency, and brand affect the total cost. Heat pump equipment typically runs $800 to $4,500, and installation labor costs $1,200 to $3,500. Heat pumps cost $40 to $160 per month to run. Electricity rates, climate zone, heat pump efficiency, and other factors determine operational costs.

HomeGuide says air conditioner installation costs $2,500 to $7,500 on average. Air conditioner type, size, efficiency, and brand affect the total cost. Air conditioner equipment typically costs $1,000 to $5,000, and installation labor runs $1,000 to $2,500. Air conditioners cost $80 to $200 per month to run. Electricity rates, air conditioner efficiency, and other factors determine operational costs.

Heat pumps must be professionally installed. Heat pump installation is slightly more expensive than air conditioner installation. Split-system heat pumps require ductwork, significantly increasing installation costs if no ductwork exists in the home.

Professional installation of air conditioners is essential. Air conditioner installation is less expensive than heat pump installation. Central air conditioners deliver treated air through ductwork. New ductwork installation significantly adds to the overall installation costs.

SEER ratings measure heat pump cooling efficiency, and HSPF ratings measure heating efficiency. Units with higher ratings are more efficient and use less energy. Heat pumps are more efficient than air conditioners, dehumidify better, and use less energy.

Heat pumps are most efficient when cooling and use five times less energy than heating. Standard heat pumps perform best above 40°F. Some heat pumps are too inefficient in low temperatures to provide adequate heat.

SEER ratings also measure air conditioner efficiency. Units with higher ratings are more efficient and use less energy. Air conditioners are less efficient than heat pumps, don’t dehumidify as well, and use more power.

Heat pump maintenance includes filter changes every one to three months; regularly removing vegetation, debris, snow, and ice around the unit; coil cleanings; and biannual professional inspections if the unit is used year-round. Heat pumps that are used for cooling and heating require more maintenance than air conditioners.

Air conditioner maintenance includes filter changes every one to three months, coil cleanings, regular removal of vegetation and debris around the unit, and yearly professional inspections. Air conditioners require less maintenance than heat pumps that are used year-round.

Heat pumps don’t typically last as long as air conditioners. Heat pumps get more usage and sustain more wear and tear when they are used for cooling and heating. How long do heat pumps last? The average heat pump lifespan is 15 years, but you might get more or less time out of your heat pump depending on your climate, region, and level of maintenance.

Air conditioners last longer than heat pumps because ACs are used for only part of the year. The average air conditioner lifespan is 15 to 20 years. Maintenance and other variables determine how long HVAC systems last.  

There are advantages and disadvantages to installing a heat pump vs. an air conditioner. Both units provide cooling, but heat pumps also provide heating. Air conditioner equipment and installation costs are cheaper, but heat pumps free you from furnace equipment and installation costs because they cool and heat. On the other hand, heat pumps used year-round for cooling and heating have shorter lifespans than air conditioners.

Heat pumps are more efficient, dehumidify better, and use less energy than air conditioners, but they can be inefficient heaters in cold climates and might require backup heating.

Heat pump and air conditioner maintenance during the cooling season are similar. Heat pumps that are also used for heating require additional care. However, all heating systems require maintenance.

Heat pumps and air conditioners come in wide varieties to suit any home. Whether you’ve decided which is best for your home or are still debating, an expert can give you additional details and advice to assure you make the right decision.