Heat Pumps vs. Air Conditioning for MN Homeowners
Like everything else in your home, your cooling system will eventually need to be replaced. When it’s time to decide on a new cooling system, the air conditioner vs. heat pump question will arise for many Minnesota homeowners, not least of all because installing central air for our relatively short and mild summers can feel like overkill.
And, on the flipside, who doesn’t feel like they could use a little extra help heating their home during a Minnesota winter?
The truth is, both air conditioners and heating pumps have benefits and drawbacks.
Let’s take some time to examine these pros and cons, because understanding the difference between the two cooling systems will allow you to make an informed choice that best fits your family’s home cooling (and heating) needs.
How Does Each System Work?
To make a smart decision about whether to install an air conditioner or a heat pump, you need to know how each system works. Many homeowners mistakenly believe air conditioners actively chill the air inside your home. In reality, the process is much simpler than that; air conditioners move heat from one area (indoors) to another (outdoors).
Here is a quick look at the air conditioning process:
● Warm air circulates in the indoor AC unit and passes over the evaporator coil.
● Refrigerant within the coil pulls heat from the air.
● Refrigerant moves to the outdoor component and is pressurized by the compressor.
● The condenser coil releases the heat into the surrounding outdoor air.
So, all an air conditioner does to cool your home is move heat out of your living areas and place the excess heat outside.
Now that you know how air conditioners work, we’ll let you in on a little secret: heat pumps work the same way!
They also move heat from inside your home to the areas outside the house and through largely the same process as air conditioners. The difference is that they also contain a reverse function, which means that they can transport warm air from outside and use it to heat your home in the winter.
Heat pumps do this by:
● Extracting heat from the outdoor air, which is absorbed through the refrigerant
● Transporting heat into the indoor system components to the evaporator coils
● Emitting heat from the evaporator coils and mixing with air circulating through the system
The Takeaway: Air conditioners and heat pumps use roughly the same process to cool your home in the summer. But heat pumps also heat your home in the winter, while air conditioners do not. While heat pumps are generally not able to heat a home in Minnesota without a backup furnace on really cold days, heat pumps largely function as a two-in-one system.
How Much Does Each System Cost?
Of course, cost will factor into the decision you make about your next home cooling system, and, when comparing similar models, the price of air conditioners and air source heat pumps tend to be comparable, although this depends on the model and installation process.
Both air source heat pumps and air conditioners range from a few thousand dollars to several thousand dollars to install, depending on the model, process, and heating/cooling system already in place.
It is worth noting that, although heat pump technology is constantly improving, they still tend to have a slightly shorter lifespan than an air conditioner, and therefore may need to be replaced sooner.
Also, note that if your home already has a furnace installed, a heat pump is likely a good option for you because it will reduce the number of days that you need to use your furnace to heat your home. If you install an air conditioner, you will still need to use your furnace throughout the fall, winter, and early spring.
The Takeaway: When comparing similar models, air source heat pumps and air conditioners tend to be comparably priced. Air conditioners generally last slightly longer than heat pumps, but heat pumps also generally mean less furnace use, particularly during unseasonably mild winters.
What About Energy Efficiency?
Air conditioners and heat pumps measure efficiency using SEER, which stands for “seasonal energy efficiency ratio.” Air conditioners and heat pumps with the same SEER rating use equal amounts of energy to cool homes under ideal conditions.
However, air conditioners can run into problems when outdoor temperatures are extremely high. Air conditioning systems are designed to cool your home when the difference in indoor and outdoor temperatures is no more than about 20 degrees. When temperatures climb higher, your air conditioner is unable to run optimally.
Heat pumps, on the other hand, run efficiently regardless of the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. However, in the winter, when temperatures drop below about 25 to 30 degrees, heat pumps cannot adequately heat a home, and a backup furnace is needed.
Heat pumps are more energy efficient than furnaces, however, so it might make sense to heat your home with a heat pump on warmer winter days.
The Takeaway: Heat pumps and air conditioners both come in energy-efficient models, but heat pumps operate more efficiently in extreme hot weather. Also, heat pumps reduce the number of days that you need to turn on your furnace to heat your home.
Every home and family are different, and while air conditioners make sense for some Minnesota homeowners, heat pumps are a great option for others.
If you would like to discuss the pros and cons of air conditioning vs. heat pump installation in your home or business and are located in the Twin Cities Metro Area, we here at Quality Systems Heating and Cooling would love to talk you through the process of selecting your next cooling system.
Contact us today for an honest assessment of your options and a free quote. We bring three generations of experience to our HVAC business and are leaders in the installation of air conditioners AND heat pumps in Minnesota. Financing options are available, and we guarantee kind and responsive customer service and expert workmanship.