As the summer heat begins to rise, your electric bill usually follows right
along with it. Most cooling systems use electricity, so making sure your home is
running as efficiently as possible can help you spend less to operate cooling
systems.
First, do some general upkeep to your living space to make sure you’re ready
to go for the summer months. Make sure to seal any leaks in windows or
doors,which keeps both the hot air out and the cold air in.
People can also save energy by limiting the use of appliances that raise the
temperature in your home and make it harder to cool in the summer. That could
mean setting dishwashers to air dry, line-drying laundry, using smaller
appliances to cook individual meals and even forgoing gas stoves. In addition,
you should keep blinds closed, especially in areas of your house that get direct
sunlight.
Heat pumps and air conditioners are two popular home cooling methods. Both
use electricity to circulate air and refrigerants to cool air inside a house.
The main difference between them is how they operate. Heat pumps move heat from
one area to another, whereas air conditioners only remove heat from a room by
forcing warm air outside.
Is heat pump a undisputed better option than an air conditioner? Let’s make
an comparison between them to explore which option is wiser.
Cost
Heat pumps are typically more expensive than air conditioners up-front.
Average installation costs for a heat pump—including equipment and labor—range
from $4,200 to $7,600*, depending on the size of your home and the complexity of
the system. If you don’t have ductwork in place, you’ll have to pay an
additional $3,000 to $7,500 to install 300 linear feet of ductwork.
Air-source and mini-split heat pumps are the least expensive to install. If
you opt for a geothermal or solar heat pump, costs increase to $18,000–$34,000.
While up-front costs can be steep, heat pumps provide efficient heating and
cooling, often making them a worthwhile investment in the long run. Besides,
don’t forget the government incentives. Different countries offer different
incentive and subsidy programs, generally including special loans, tax
subsidies, direct subsidies, etc. For example, some state governments in the US
also provide additional incentives by offering subsidies to users who install
heat pump systems to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. For example, the
Ohio heat pump replacement program offers a subsidy of up to $5,000 for
businesses or households to replace heat pumps.
Central air conditioning has slightly lower installation costs, ranging from
$3,800 to $7,500. Air conditioners are good for cooling but not heating; you’ll
have to invest in additional equipment to heat your home during colder months,
which will increase your overall energy costs.
Ultimately, when choosing between a heat pump and an air conditioner,
consider your budget as well as your long-term energy efficiency needs.
Energy Efficiency
A cooling system’s energy efficiency is measured by its seasonal energy
efficiency ratio (SEER). SEER is calculated by dividing the total heat removed
from your home by the total electrical energy consumed by the air conditioner or
heat pump. A higher SEER rating means a more efficient system. The more
energy-efficient your system is, the more money you save.
Heat pumps are more energy-efficient than air conditioners as they don’t
consume as much electricity. They dehumidify the air better than standard AC
units, resulting in less energy use. Heat pumps are also more efficient than
electric resistance heating sources. Heat pumps can reduce your electricity use
for heating by about 50% compared to furnaces and baseboard heaters.
The cost to operate a heat pump will depend on its size, location, and the
climate you live in. In general, heat pumps function cleanly in moderate
climates but are not as efficient in cold climates.
Longevity
The life span of your heat pump or air conditioner depends on several
factors, including how often you use it and how well you maintain it. The
climate you live in can also affect the life expectancy of either system.
Note that both systems require professional maintenance every year to perform
at maximum efficiency, so make sure you have a qualified technician inspect them
and make any necessary repairs or adjustments. With proper maintenance and
usage, both systems can provide you with many years of reliable cooling and
heating performance.
Heat pumps have been making several advances in different areas including fan
motors, refrigerants, compressors, coils, and the use of dual sources---ground
and air. Dual source heat pumps (DSHP) can draw heat from either the air or the
ground, depending on which is most efficient at the time, making it much more
effective than traditional heat pump models. New heat pumps are also built with
“dual-speed” or “variable-speed” motors to maximize comfort and electricity
savings.
As you have seen, what defines air source heat pumps is the versatility to
cool your home in warmer months, and provide heating from renewable energy
through the same system during colder months. An air conditioner is not such a
dwarfed choice when cooling your house, but heat pumps are worth considering
with electricity efficiency and versatility taken into account.
Heat Pump Market size surpassed USD 50 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to
grow at 12.5% from 2023 to 2032. In addition, high energy efficiency, low carbon
footprint, availability of financial incentive schemes, and quiet operations are
some of the key factors bolstering the industry landscape. SMAD air-to-water
heat pump system, which offers heating, cooling and/or domestic hot water all in
one. The range has been praised for having the best COP and best EER on the
market. If you want to know more, please leave us a message.