The Main Differences Between A Heat Pump And An Air Conditioner

For those who are not quite familiar with how air conditioners and heat pump work, this article is for you. Basically, these two perform the same tasks. In HVAC systems, you can either opt for the conventional air conditioning unit or a heat pump. What’s different between the two? If you’re wondering what the difference is between the two, you should continue reading this article.

Air conditioner vs. heat pump

First up, let’s talk about heat pumps. In general, heat pumps work both ways. They can provide cool or warm air into different areas of the house. On the other hand, an air conditioning unit can only provide a cooling effect and not the other way around. As you may see, heat pumps seem to have the upper hand. However, let’s not be too hasty. Let’s learn about the different types of heat pumps and on what variant fits your needs. Air source – these types of heat pumps run on electricity. Basically, what they do is take the air from the outside and run it through a refrigerant cycle which provides hot or cold air into the house. That’s heating and air in one machine. Unlike ground units, the air-source unit is more cost-efficient. On the other hand, they are not that effective for installation in areas where temperatures normally dip below freezing. Geothermal – this type of heat pump generally operates under the same principle. However, instead of relying on the outside air, it harnesses the natural heat of the earth. Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat to or from the ground. This type of heat pump is perfect for areas that are normally exposed to below freezing temperatures. You would also need an HVAC contractor in Florence to set up, service, maintain, and or upgrade this type of system. Gas-powered heat pumps – basically, these systems are air-source units that run on natural gas. These heat pumps are used in areas where natural gas is a more favorable option than electricity. Ductless heat pumps – these heat pumps basically provide hot or cold air through a hose connected to the compressor. These units basically run without the need for ducts, hence the name. Air conditioning units As you might have already known by now, air conditioning units can only provide the cooling aspect and not the heating part. However, this does not mean they are not good for the job. Air conditioning units are cheaper and are easier to maintain. There are three common variants that you can choose from. Central air conditioning – by far, this is the most efficient system among the three variants. The cooling process happens in a central location. The cool air is then transferred to different areas of the home through ducts and commonly used in HVAC systems. Window type air conditioners – these air conditioners are what you might normally see in small homes and similar applications. Window type ACs are easy to install, remove, and upgrade. Due to their size, window type air conditioners are normally limited to cooling a single room. Split type air conditioners – unlike a window type air conditioner, split type units come in two sections. The inside unit and the outside unit. Regardless of the heating and cooling system, you have at home, it is always best to have a professional maintain, upgrade, and or repair the system. Hiring professional contractors like Florence HVAC Experts is one of the best things you can do.

Call Florence HVAC Experts if you need help in anything related to heating and cooling.

Florence HVAC Experts Florence, SC 29501 843-636-3260 http://florencehvacexperts.com/

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