Heat Pump vs Air Conditioner – What’s Best For Your House?

6 Factors to Consider

This isn’t just about what your uncle in Arizona says. The choice between installing a heat pump or a traditional air conditioner is not a simple one, though it is a costly one. And it’s not something you can undo easily, so make sure you consider all the variables, including:

yard space affects choice of heat pump vs air conditioner

  1. The size of your home – this affects the size of the unit you’ll need, and which kind will be more efficient and less costly
  2. The climate of your region – extreme temperatures affect which system will perform better – it’s not just about SEER and HSPF ratings
  3. The spacing outside your home – some units require more space than others. Also, property setbacks from neighbors can limit where you can put the unit.
  4. The duct system in your home. Is there one?
  5. Your current system. If it’s already pretty efficient, this will influence the savings (or costs) from your new system
  6. Your budget

As you read the reasons below in favor of either an air conditioner or a heat pump, keep all these factors in mind. Then, call us if you need to talk to a professional who can help you better understand your options.

Why You Might Want a Heat Pump

A heat pump has two modes of operation. It can move warm air from outside into your house, and it can move warm air from inside your house to the outside. So, it does the work that a furnace and an air conditioner do separately.

Advantages of a Heat Pump over an Air Conditioner:

  • More energy efficient – in the right climate. The more extreme heat or cold, the less efficient the heat pump becomes, and the lower its ratings.
  • One system that heats and cools. AC just cools. No need for separate units. Simplicity.
  • Less cost to operate – again assuming a moderate climate
  • Far more efficient than an oil heating system. If you’re planning to replace an inefficient heating system of any sort, the heat pump will likely produce large enough savings to make the air conditioner question a non-issue. Here’s a PUD report on energy efficiency that compares a variety of systems

Also, if your house has no duct system, you can install ductless heat pumps that have all the same advantages. A disadvantage of ductless systems is that they operate one room at a time. But they are less costly to operate.

Disadvantages of a Heat Pump over an Air Conditioner:

  • Energy efficiency drops with increasing extreme heat or cold temperatures. And the operating costs rise. Your uncle in Arizona loves his AC. But that doesn’t mean it’s right for you.
  • Higher upfront costs. If budget is an issue, you may decide that longer term savings aren’t worth it, especially if you might not live in your home long enough to realize them.

Why You Might Want an Air Conditioner

air conditioner inner partsAn air conditioner is essentially “half” a heat pump. But if you already have an efficient, well-running furnace or air handler, pairing that with a highly-rated air conditioner may be the way to go.

Advantages of an air conditioner over a heat pump:

  • Lower upfront costs – and remember, if you live a hot climate, your heat pump’s efficiency advantage over an AC goes down with each degree of higher temperatures
  • Handles extreme heat better and more efficiently. A heat pump will let you down on the hottest days.

Disadvantages of an air conditioner over a heat pump:

  • Generally more expensive to operate
  • Less energy efficient – especially in moderate climates
  • Separate systems increase overall costs. If you want to redo your whole heating and cooling system, you have to buy both an air conditioner and a heater. With a heat pump, you may only need one system.

What Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners Have in Common

Both systems are outdoor units. But they both work by transferring heat using similar methods. It’s all about removing the warm air from the house in the most efficient way.

Both systems also act as dehumidifiers, because part of the process of removing the warm air results in the removal of moisture. Humidity is a major cause of heat, so reducing it also reduces the temperature.

Both systems have duct-based versions and ductless versions. And in both cases, the ductless systems are wall-mounted units that operate in specific rooms.

You may want a ductless system if your house is small enough or if your house doesn’t have ducts, or if you only care about cooling one room, such as a bedroom. The ductless versions of both systems are less costly to operate.

Have More Questions?

Contact us today and we can answer your heating and cooling questions.

Or, schedule an appointment for a free consultation about installing a heat pump, air conditioner, or heating system.

Please note: We don’t quote prices over the phone, in part because of the six factors listed above. We need to see your house to make these decisions and give you appropriate recommendations.

Supported Manufacturers

We sell and install these manufacturers, but we repair all brands.

  • Heat-n-Glo: Nobody Builds a Better Fire
  • Napoleon Quality Fireplaces
  • Kingsman Fireplaces
  • Enviro Gas Fireplace
  • RH Peterson
  • Firegear Outdoors
  • American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning
  • HEIL Heating and Cooling Products
  • Daikin

Bonded & Insured

B & C Comfort, LLC is bonded, licensed, insured and also a better practices business.

  • B & C Comfort, Heating & Air Conditioning, Monroe, WA
  • B&C Comfort is part of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association

Regions Serviced

We serve these areas within King County and Snohomish County

King County postal codes

  • Baring - 98224*
  • Bellevue - 98004, 98005, 98006*, 98007, 98008, 98009, 98015
  • Bothell - 98011, 98041
  • Carnation - 98014
  • Duvall - 98019
  • Fall City - 98024
  • Issaquah - 98027*, 98029
  • Kenmore - 98098
  • Kirkland - 98033, 98034
  • Medina - 98039*
  • Mercer Island - 98040*
  • North Bend - 98045*
  • Preston - 98050
  • Redmond - 98052, 98053
  • Sammamish - 98074, 98075
  • Shoreline - 98133*, 98155*, 98177*
  • Skykomish - 98288*
  • Snoqualmie - 98065
  • Woodinville - 98072, 98077

We do not service within Seattle

Snohomish County postal codes

  • Bothell - 98012, 98021
  • Edmonds - 98020*, 98026*
  • Everett - 98201*, 98203*, 98204*, 98205*, 98207*, 98208*
  • Gold Bar - 98251*
  • Index - 98256*
  • Lynnwood - 98036*, 98037*, 98046*, 98087*
  • Mill Creek - 98012, 98082
  • Monroe - 98272
  • Mountlake Terrace - 98043*
  • Mukilteo - 98275*
  • Snohomish - 98290*, 98291, 98296
  • Start Up - 98293*
  • Sultan - 98294

Not in our service area: Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Renton

*(Additional trip charges may apply)

If you are unsure if your location is within our service area, please contact us to find out!