What is the difference between air conditioning and a heat pump? Simply put, an air conditioner cools, while a heat pump heats and cools. Aircon uses a refrigerant, which removes heat from inside to cool the air. The fan sucks in warm air from your home and directs it to the evaporator coils, which cool it down before returning it back to your home. A heat pump can simply reverse this process to heat your home. Thanks to the reversing valve in the outdoor unit, even at extremely low temperatures, the heat pump can absorb the thermal energy of the outdoor air and transfer the heat to the indoors, transferring the heat to the air.
Both are great options for controlling the temperature needs in your home. While the cooling modes are almost the same, the heating modes are completely different. Aircon doesn’t provide heating, but the heat pump does. Here are some things to consider when choosing your home’s heating and cooling system.
While a heat pump system has an inexpensive indoor unit, an outdoor unit can have a higher initial cost than an air conditioner. When considering costs, it is important to understand the total cost of installing a system that can adequately heat and cool a home. Fonko will happily talk you through the process and expenses of either.
At moderately low outdoor temperatures, the heat pump system uses only electricity to provide energy efficient heating. Under these conditions, they may be less expensive to operate than systems using more expensive heat sources such as natural gas, oil or propane. When temperatures drop below freezing, heat pumps require more energy to keep a room comfortable, which reduces efficiency and increases your energy bill. So your location will help dictate the right system for you.
Both our heat pumps and air conditioner units come with energy-efficient systems that deal with Auckland’s ever-changing weather conditions.
Whether it’s replacing an existing HVAC system for your home or buying one for the first time, there are a few important differences to consider when choosing between a heat pump and an air conditioner. In addition to choosing the best system for your situation, you will need to determine the size of the unit and its heating/cooling capacity. A proper assessment of your home’s heating and cooling needs by a qualified HVAC professional is the best way to determine the ideal option for you. Local Carrier HVAC specialists are ready to help you evaluate your situation and choose between a heat pump system and an AC system.
If you’re interested in installing a heat pump or aircon in your residential or commercial property, you can book a free measure and quote with Fonko. We can advise on the best products and most suited system for you. Get in touch with us today.