If it’s time to upgrade your air conditioner to a new model, you may be considering a heat pump. Replacing your central air conditioner with a heat pump is a wise choice and can benefit your home in many ways.
You can stop searching for HVAC replacement near me, because you found us! We have a local team of certified professionals who are experts in the industry and we are ready to help. In the meantime, you can keep reading to learn more about why a heat pump might be a great option for your home.
Comparing Operation
Traditional central air conditioners and heat pumps are actually very similar. They have nearly identical operation aside from one thing. A heat pump has a reversing valve that allows it to work as both an air conditioner and a heater. A central air conditioner is limited to cooling your home without heating capabilities.
If you have a central air conditioner, you also need heater for the winter although both are connected to your thermostat. A central air conditioner and heat pump each use refrigerant to provide cooling. A heat pump does use refrigerant to cool the air down, but primarily relies on transferring heat outside of your home as a method of cooling.
Energy Efficiency
Because of the way a heat pump transfers heat into or out of your home, this particular type of unit tends to be more energy efficient. However, technology for central air conditioners has grown a lot in recent years. Heat pumps are known to be slightly more energy efficient than a central air conditioner. Still, no matter which type of system you choose, you’ll enjoy top-notch energy efficiency.
Maintenance
One key difference between air conditioners and heat pumps is the required maintenance. With an air conditioner, you only need to schedule maintenance once per year. But with a heat pump, you need to schedule maintenance twice per year, once for the heat pump as a heater and once for the heat pump as an air conditioner.
Keep in mind that either way you are still scheduling maintenance twice per year for your HVAC systems. When you have a stand-alone air conditioner, that means you have a separate heater and you’ll still have to schedule maintenance for that system each year as well. With a heat pump, the only difference is that you’re scheduling maintenance twice for the same unit instead of separate units.
Just remember that the care and upkeep you put into your AC will go a long way in maintaining energy efficiency for its lifespan. No matter which type of system you use, remember to complete homeowner maintenance tasks each month, including:
- Changing the air filter
- Pouring vinegar into the condensate drain line
- Checking the outside unit for dirt and debris
- Watching and listening for signs of AC problems
Lifespan
Both central air conditioners and heat pumps have an average lifespan of around 15 years. With proper care, either type of unit could last even longer. However, they could also have shorter lifespans if you do not complete homeowner maintenance steps monthly and prioritize annual maintenance with our team of experts.
The team at Climate Masters has been serving St. Johns County since 1988 with quality, hometown service. Schedule an appointment with our team today for AC maintenance.
