Air Conditioners, Home Comfort, HVAC
When it comes time to upgrade your home cooling system, how do you know what to choose? In this blog the Home Comfort Advisors at Action Furnace will go over the pros and cons of both heat pumps and air conditioners, helping you make a more informed decision.
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Looking to upgrade your home comfort system this year?
As temperatures continue to rise, and energy conservation and efficiency becomes increasingly important, one question remains at the forefront: Heat Pump vs. AC, which should you choose?
In today’s blog, the Home Comfort Advisors at Action Furnace will explore both heat pumps and air conditioners. The features and benefits of each, and a brief installation and cost analysis. Helping you make the best decision for your home. Whether you’re looking to save money on your monthly cooling bills, or increase your cooling performance, we’ve got you covered!
Understanding Your Options
Heat pumps and air conditioners both cool your home, so what exactly is the difference between the two?
What Is A Heat Pump
A heat pump is a versatile, two-in-one option for heating and cooling your home.
In heating mode, it extracts heat from the outside air, ground, or water—even in cold conditions—and compresses this heat to a higher temperature before releasing it inside a building. In cooling mode, it reverses this process, extracting heat from the interior of the building and releasing it outside, thereby cooling the interior space. This cycle is facilitated by an outdoor unit (containing a compressor and a condenser coil) and an indoor unit (with an expansion valve and an evaporator coil), connected by a circuit of refrigerant.
Heat pumps also come in a variety of different types, suitable for various applications including: ground-source, ductless, electric and cold climate heat pumps.
What Is Central Air Conditioning?
Central air conditioning works by drawing hot air from your home, passing it through an evaporator coil cooling it, and then distributing the cold air through your ducts and vents.
High-efficiency air conditioners are just that, more efficient than basic or older AC models. A SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) of 13 or higher is necessary for a high-efficiency AC. And higher-efficiency means significant cost savings!
Central air conditioners can even improve energy efficiency in your home by reducing the need to use portable air conditioners or window units, which require more energy and result in higher electricity bills.
Heat Pump Advantages
High Efficiency
As briefly discussed above, heat pumps are known for their high efficiency because they transfer heat rather than generate it. This can result in lower energy bills and less environmental impact compared to traditional cooling systems.
Dual Functionality
One of the biggest advantages of choosing a heat pump is its ability to both heat and cool your home. This means you only need one system to effectively manage the temperature in your home, simplifying installation and maintenance.
Environmental Benefits
Heat Pumps come in a variety of different types and renewable energy sources such as ground source, making them a more environmentally friendly option. They also emit fewer emissions than traditional home comfort systems.
Consistency
Heat pumps maintain a more consistent temperature, providing reliable comfort without the fluctuations often experienced with other heating and cooling systems.
Heat Pump Disadvantages
Higher Upfront Cost
The initial cost of purchasing and installing a heat pump is higher than traditional cooling systems. And ultimately the price of a new heat pump system will depend on the size of the unit you choose and the complexity of the installation process.
Complexity & Maintenance
Being a more complex system, maintenance, installation and repair costs can be more than traditional systems, and regular inspections and maintenance are crucial to their ongoing performance.
But you don’t necessarily have to let that dissuade you.
Our heat pump technicians are highly trained and qualified to ensure you get the best out of your furnace.
Our multi-point point service includes:
- Inspect thermostat filter
- Clean and inspect evaporator coil
- Check fan speed
- Inspect all drain lines
- Check capacitor and motor amp draw
- Ensure proper subcool/superheat settings
- Check refrigerant levels
Once your tune-up is complete we’ll make recommendations for items that could increase efficiency, improve indoor air quality, and improve overall home comfort. At Action Furnace our goal is to provide you with a comfortable home all year long.
Air Conditioner Advantages
Effectiveness in High Temperatures
Central air conditioners are super effective at quickly cooling indoor spaces, making them ideal for our hot and dry Alberta summers.
Lower Initial Cost
AC equipment and installation costs are typically less than heat pumps, making them an attractive option for homeowners on a budget, or who need a more immediate home comfort solution.
The cost of installing an air conditioner will vary depending on the size of your home or building, the type of system you want, and the condition of your existing ductwork.
On average, it can cost between $3,000 and $10,000 to install an air conditioner—but you can get a precise quote for your AC installation when you contact Action Furnace and trust our No Surprise Guarantee on pricing.
Easy Installation
Central AC installation is relatively easy and requires less specialized installation requirements.
Air Conditioner Disadvantages
Higher Overall Energy Consumption
Unlike heat pumps, air conditioners can only cool your home, meaning you have to rely on two systems to keep your home comfortable year round. This could lead to higher overall consumption and energy costs.
Environmental Impact
AC units use refrigerants that can negatively impact the environment and your health if not properly handled by our professionals. Thankfully, the most harmful refrigerants like R-11, R-12 and R-22 are being phased out. Which means if you purchase a new AC, it will be equipped with more environmentally friendly options.
Making The Right Choice For Your Home
Making the choice between a heat pump and an AC ultimately comes down to your budget, home size and personal preferences. And the experienced Home Comfort Advisors at Action Furnace are here to help!
We take the stress out of choosing your home comfort system! We offer comprehensive equipment recommendations and ensure your new heat pump or AC is properly sized for your home.
No Matter What You Choose, Get Trusted Installation in Calgary, Edmonton & Red Deer
Our Comfort Advisors and install technicians are the best in the business. And we’re dedicated to providing you with the best installation service possible. Here’s what you can expect should you decide to move forward with a new heat pump or air conditioner install.
What To Expect
When you book your cooling system installation with Action Furnace, your personal Home Comfort Advisor will come to your home to begin the evaluation process.
Home Analysis
When you book your AC installation with Action Furnace, your personal Home Comfort Advisor will come to your home to begin the home analysis process.
During your assessment, your expert advisor will evaluate your current system (if applicable), assess your home’s size, and estimate your cooling needs to determine the best solutions.
They’ll take precise measurements of your home’s square footage, inspect windows, and check all registers and ductwork for efficiency.
Recommendation
As Alberta’s premier comfort dealer, we take the time to fully explain all our recommendations, ensuring you have the information needed to make the best decision for your home.
We’ll provide a detailed overview of our most popular air conditioning models, highlighting key differences in performance, energy savings, and reliability. If you’re interested in advanced features such as smart thermostat compatibility we’ll walk you through how these upgrades can enhance your comfort and lower your energy costs.
Our goal is to help you find an air conditioner that delivers optimal cooling, efficiency, and long-term value, keeping your home comfortable all summer long.
Installation
Our professional technicians go through a careful process when installing your new air conditioner. This may include:
- Installing indoor coil
- Installing the outdoor condenser
- Complete all applicable electrical work
- Ensure the unit is properly charged and balance the refrigerant
Then we will test the unit for comfort within your home.
Our team prioritizes cleanliness and professionalism, ensuring the process is smooth and causes minimal disruption to your daily routine. Plus with our exclusive Two Year Trial Guarantee, we guarantee that if, after 2 years, the equipment and service that we provided do not meet your expectations, we will remove the equipment and return 100% of your investment, plus interest.
The Importance Of Ongoing Maintenance
As we briefly mentioned above,our cooling system tune-ups are the most thorough in the business! Our technicians are highly experienced to ensure you get the best performance out of your new heat pump or air conditioner. You’ll enjoy:
- Inspect thermostat filter
- Clean and inspect evaporator coil
- Check fan speed
- Inspect all drain lines
- Check capacitor and motor amp draw
- Ensure proper subcool/superheat settings
- Check refrigerant levels
Regular tune-ups are great for preventing major repairs and damage. As well as increasing the lifespan of your new equipment, ensuring reliable cooling this season and beyond!
Ultimately, the choice between a heat pump and an air conditioner depends on your specific needs and priorities. By considering factors such as energy efficiency, cost, and climate, and by consulting with the Home Comfort Advisors at Action Furnace, you can make an informed decision that ensures optimal comfort and savings for your home.
Why Choose Action Furnace?
Why choose our team to help you with cooling system installation? Simply, we have the most thorough process out there! Our team of continuously trained technicians will examine your space and recommend the best unit for your needs, ensuring everything is installed properly and as efficiently as possible.
We also pride ourselves on straight-forward pricing, our fully-stocked service trucks, and our 5-Star customer service. Our commitment to quality doesn’t end after your service, this is why we have thousands of 5 star reviews from happy homeowners in Calgary, Red Deer and Edmonton.
Other Questions Our Customers Are Asking About Cooling Systems
How long does each system last?
When properly maintained heat pumps will typically last 15-20 years, while central AC will last 10-15.
Do I need ductwork for either option?
Yes both central AC and heat pumps will require ductwork to help move the chilled air throughout your home. If you’re in an apartment or a small home that doesn’t have connected duct work, window units or mini-split air conditioning might be a better option.
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