Difference Between a Heat Pump & Air Conditioner
We are well into spring, and summer will be here before we know it! As the temperatures start to get—and stay—warm, keeping cool and comfortable is a high priority. Perhaps you’ve even had an inspection for your cooling system (it’s smart to do this early, before it gets hot and HVAC companies get booked up).
Do you need a new air conditioning system? Have you been thinking about installing different equipment? Many homeowners are curious about the difference between the two main central cooling systems—air conditioners and heat pumps.
Heat Pumps vs. AC Systems
So, what is the difference between an air conditioner and heat pump? Let’s start with how each system works.
Air Conditioners
An air conditioner uses three main parts:
- Condenser
- Compressor
- Evaporator
These parts work together to cool your home by moving the refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator and back again. Learn more about how an AC works »
Heat Pumps
A heat pump works by transferring heat energy from one source to another. For instance, in the winter when your heat pump is acting as a heating system, it extracts heat energy from the outside air (even in near-freezing temperatures), and transfers it into the air in your home. When summertime rolls around, it’s reversed to cool your home by pulling heat out of it. In the winter, you’ll want to have a backup heating system, like a furnace, kick on for when the temperatures drop too low (and here in New Jersey, it can get extremely cold). Learn more about how a heat pump works »
The Difference
Heat pumps and air conditioners actually perform virtually the same, with very similar energy efficiency levels. The main difference is that a heat pump can be used all year long—for both cooling and heating. This can reduce the number of systems that require maintenance, repairs, and replacements. But all in all, both systems are very similar!
Cooling System Services in Central NJ
No matter what kind of HVAC equipment you have, the team at Arctic Air Conditioning can inspect it and make any tune-ups—or recommend AC or heat pump replacement if necessary—before summertime rolls around. If you want to switch to a new system, we can help with this too. Since 1977, we’ve been providing cooling system repair, replacement, and maintenance throughout Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, and Ocean counties.
Contact us today and see why families in New Jersey rely on us to keep them cool and comfortable season after season!
