Different Operations of Heat Pumps & Standard HVAC

A heat pump combines HVAC furnace and air conditioner functions.

A heat pump combines HVAC furnace and air conditioner functions.

Homeowners looking to replace an existing heating, ventilating and air conditioning system face different choices when it comes to replacement HVAC systems for your home. One choice is whether to install a standard HVAC system or go for a device known as a heat pump. The choice you make will depend on your climate, energy prices and cost of the units themselves.

Heat Pump Operation

A heat pump moves heat from one location to another through a process similar to how a refrigerator works, only in a heat pump the process is reversible. In hot months, the heat pump acts like an air conditioner, moving heat from the indoors to the outdoor atmosphere. In cool months, the unit’s action reverses to move heat from the outdoor atmosphere to the indoors. This one device can both cool and heat your home for year-round comfort.

Standard HVAC

A standard HVAC system uses a furnace to heat the home in the cool months and a separate central air conditioner to cool the home during the warm months. The furnace burns a fuel to provide hot air or hot water. A central blower or pump moves the heat around the house. The central air conditioner uses an electric-powered compressor to move a refrigerant between the indoors and outdoors, absorbing heat with an evaporator coil to cool indoor spaces and moving the heat outdoors to be dumped into the atmosphere through a condensing coil. An indoor blower and outdoor fan move air through the coils.

Climate Factor

A heat pump is most effective in temperate climates without extremes of cold or hot weather. When temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, there isn’t enough heat in the atmosphere to warm the rooms. Some heat pumps come with a built-in gas furnace for heat during extreme cold snaps. If it gets too hot outside, the heat pump will be hard put to transfer indoor heat to the atmosphere and may not cool effectively. A standard HVAC system can handle climate extremes because its separate heating and cooling units are each optimized to heat or cool.

Cost Considerations

A heat pump runs on electricity only. A standard HVAC system runs on fuel oil or on propane or natural gas during the cold months, and runs on electricity during the warm months. The respective costs of electricity and heating fuels in your area can affect your choice. If electricity cost is high compared to fuel prices, the standard HVAC system may be the better way to go. But if electricity cost is low compared to fuel prices, you could be better off with the heat pump. Purchase cost is another consideration. With a heat pump you need to buy only one unit but with standard HVAC you must buy separate units to heat and cool.

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