Although most homeowners have HVAC systems in their homes, very few of them can tell the difference between a heat pump and air conditioning. Often, these two systems are used interchangeably. Although there are certain similarities between a heat pump and an air conditioner, it is good to know the difference so as to fully understand how your HVAC system functions.
Galmiche & Sons is a St. Louis HVAC company that has been serving local home and business owners for over 60 years. For all your HVAC related inquiries including heat pump vs. air conditioning questions, contact us at 314-993-1110. We will be more than happy to put all your heating & air conditioning questions to rest.
Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioning: Here’s What You Need to Know
Both a heat pump and air conditioner are designed to cool the interior of your home when it is hot. They both use a closed loop cycle whereby the refrigerant is circulated continuously through the heat pump or air conditioner. Thanks to this cycle, the systems remove hot humid air and instead circulate cooler air.
Here’s how they work:
- A motorized fan pulls in hot air from the inside of your home to the ductwork. The air is then cooled by passing it through the evaporator coil inside the heat pump or air conditioner.
- The refrigerant vaporizes as it absorbs the heat from the air. The cooled air is then circulated throughout the house by a series of ductwork.
- The refrigerant, now in gaseous form, is passed to the outdoor unit of the heat pump or air conditioner. Here, in the condenser, it changes back into liquid form and is taken back to the indoor unit.
- The compressor assists in moving the refrigerant between the units and changing its pressure.
- This cycle continues until the desired temperature is reached, at which point the air conditioner or heat pump stops. The process begins again when the temperature of the indoor air gets too high.
Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioning: Where’s the Difference?
You are probably wondering, “If they both work in the same way, what’s the difference?” The difference between heat pumps and air conditioner units lies in a small part of the heat pump known as the valve.
The valve, when flipped, will change the direction of the refrigerant and therefore result in warm air being released. This reversing valve is usually automatic and when it changes to heat mode, the cool refrigerant is often cold enough to capture heat from outdoor air, which is then released through the ductwork. As a result, the air in your house becomes warm. Just like in cooling, the process continues until the desired temperature is reached before the heat pump stops.
While heat pumps are efficient for heating and cooling your home, they have limitations when it comes to heating in extreme temperatures. Therefore, it is also often necessary to use a supplemental heater on very cold winter days.
Call Glamiche & Sons to Learn More About Your Heat Pump or Air Conditioner
While a heat pump and air conditioner are similar in their operation, each requires different steps for care and maintenance. With either system, proper maintenance and service is crucial to keep the system running efficiently. Call Galmiche & Sons today at 314-993-1110 to schedule annual maintenance service or for more answers to all your heating & air conditioning questions.
