If you’re ready to upgrade or replace your current HVAC system, you may be struggling to choose between a heat pump and AC. There are advantages and disadvantages to having either type of system in Wheat Ridge, which can make it tough to decide which is better. A fuller understanding of both systems can help you better evaluate the benefits and drawbacks in relation to your own home, priorities, and needs.
Heating and Cooling: The Big Difference Between a Heat Pump and AC
The biggest difference between these two options is that a heat pump can both heat and cool your house. An air conditioner, of course, only cools. This means that, essentially, the option you are really looking at is between a heat pump and an air conditioner plus an existing or new heating system.
If you need a way to heat as well as cool your house, your immediate assumption might be that a heat pump is the right choice. If you already have a furnace or another source of heat that you’re happy with, you might decide you should go with just the AC. However, there are a few other considerations you should keep in mind before you make that decision.
What Are the Options for Cooling Only?
All air conditioners do the same thing. They remove heat from the indoor air and release it outside, cooling your house. However, there are several different types for your home.
- Window units
- Portable air conditioners
- Ductless mini-splits
- Central air conditioning
The first two are less efficient, but they can be good options for renters, people who need a temporary solution, or people seeking a budget-friendly option. They may also be a viable option if you only plan to use your air conditioner sparingly, like when a heat wave makes your home unbearably hot.
Central air conditioning is the main option for people who own homes with existing forced-air systems. They are a permanent and cost-effective way to keep your home cool, no matter how hot Wheat Ridge summers get.
However, installing central AC in a home that doesn’t have ductwork is an expensive prospect. It can even be more complicated and disruptive in older homes where retrofitting ducts may involve tearing into walls or ceilings. Ductwork also requires ongoing maintenance and can lead to energy losses if there are leaks or poor insulation. In fact, the Department of Energy estimates that the average homeowner may lose up to 20% of their conditioned air through faults in their forced-air system.
These drawbacks are why many homeowners choose ductless mini-split systems to cool their homes instead. Mini-splits include an outdoor compressor and one or more indoor air handlers mounted on the wall or ceiling. Each air handler cools a specific zone in the home. This means you can save money by not cooling rooms you aren’t using. They’re also known for being energy efficient and quiet.
Heat Pumps: A Year-Round Option
In order to understand whether a heat pump is a good choice for your Wheat Ridge-area home, it’s important to understand how a heat pump works and how it’s different from other HVAC systems.
In the summer, a heat pump cools by drawing out the warm air from your home and releasing it outside, just like a central air conditioner. In cooling mode, their efficiency is comparable to that of most quality central air conditioners on the market.
In the winter, a heat pump can warm your home thanks to its reversing valve. This component allows the system to switch direction, pulling heat from the outdoor air and transferring it indoors. Even when it’s cold out, there’s still enough thermal energy in the air for the system to extract and move into your home. Because heat pumps move heat instead of generating it through combustion or electrical resistance, they can be significantly more energy-efficient than traditional furnace installation or even baseboard heating.
In the past, though, heat pumps were considered a poor choice for a climate like Colorado’s because they struggled to extract enough heat on very cold days to heat a house. This often meant homeowners had to rely on backup heating sources or switch to a furnace entirely during the coldest months.
However, heat pump technology has advanced substantially over the past decade. Modern cold-climate heat pumps can operate at temperatures well below freezing and still provide reliable, comfortable heat. Many newer models also include variable-speed compressors and intelligent controls that help maintain consistent temperatures while using less energy.
For homeowners in Wheat Ridge looking for a system that provides both heating and cooling in one unit, a heat pump offers a versatile, efficient solution. Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or lower your utility bills, today’s heat pumps are worth considering.
What Is the Downside of a Heat Pump?
There are some potential disadvantages to a heat pump. The initial purchase price and installation can be expensive. Depending on the layout of your home and whether you need ductwork modifications or electrical upgrades, the upfront costs can be higher than those of traditional systems.
Another consideration is performance during extreme cold. While cold-climate heat pumps have come a long way and are now designed to function well below freezing, their efficiency can still drop as outdoor temperatures approach zero or below. Some homeowners choose to install a backup heat source, such as a gas furnace, to supplement the heat pump during particularly cold snaps to reduce overall heating costs.
Heat pumps also don’t heat a home as quickly as a furnace. A gas furnace produces a high volume of warm air rapidly, which can make a noticeable difference in a short time. In contrast, a heat pump gradually increases the indoor temperature over a longer period. For homeowners who are used to the immediate warmth of a furnace, this slower heat delivery can take some getting used to. For instance, if the temperature drops rapidly at the beginning of an overnight cold snap, you may wake up to a chilly home that takes several hours to reach the temperature you set on your thermostat.
In addition, heat pumps tend to have a shorter lifespan than furnaces. While a well-maintained furnace might last 20 to 25 years, heat pumps generally last around 15 years due to their year-round use. Because they handle both heating and cooling, the components experience more wear and tear.
Despite these drawbacks, many homeowners find the long-term energy savings and dual-function capabilities of a heat pump system make it a worthwhile investment. This is especially true when federal rebates or incentives from utility companies or state energy programs defray initial installation costs.
Contact Your Local Professionals
At Fox Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we are a locally owned heating and cooling services company that has been serving the residents of Wheat Ridge, CO since 2018. We install heating and cooling systems, including heat pumps and ductless mini-split systems. You can also count on us for all your other HVAC needs, such as repairs and annual HVAC maintenance service. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced technicians.
