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Central Air vs. Heat Pump

Central air is the most common form of home cooling today. However, many people choose instead to use a heat pump to cool their home. There are arguments both for and against both, and both have their benefits and drawbacks. Let’s take a look at the choice to use central air vs. installing a heat pump in your home.

Central Air

Central air was once derided as being environmentally unsound and extremely expensive. This is no longer the case. Modern central AC system replacements are extremely safe for the environment and can be exceptionally efficient. The efficiency of your AC unit is expressed as a SEER number; the larger this number, the more efficient the system. Thus, a 20-SEER system is more efficient than a 10-SEER system.

While higher efficiency models are more expensive on the outset, the cost savings can be significant. However, if you live in a cooler region, this cost may be less worthwhile, since you will use your AC less often than in a warmer clime.

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Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are an alternative to central air. They are also very efficient in the way they work. Instead of filtering and blowing cool air into the home, heat pumps work by pumping air into and out of the home from outside. During the hot summer months, they pump the heat out of the house. In the colder, winter months, they pump warm air into the home.

Heat pumps work the best in climates where the temperature is mild and never gets extremely hot or cold. In such environments they are exceptionally efficient in both heating and cooling a building. The downside of a heat pump comes in environments that routinely get very hot and/or very cold.

A Combination

In climates where it gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter, a heat pump is generally combined with a furnace and air conditioner. In this setup, the heat pump helps to make the entire HVAC system far more efficient. By helping to regulate temperatures, the AC will run less in the summer and the furnace less in the winter.

However, the additional cost of installing such a setup is often high and may not be worthwhile as it can be some time before any true savings result after the cost of equipment is considered.

How to Know

Heat pumps are great for some areas, and traditional HVAC units using a furnace and central air are better in others. If cost savings are the goal, it is best to sit down and consider the costs of their options. Determine how much you will save each month, and how much the installation will cost. Comparing the two will show how long it will take before you start saving money.

If you are in doubt as to what the best options are for you, use our quote form to get connected to a qualified HVAC contractor. They can recommend the best choice for your home, and they can get it installed for you as well.

 

 

Are you in the market for a new heating and air conditioning system? Click here to get free custom quotes from reputable HVAC contractors. You’ll receive upfront pricing without having to invite a contractor to your home or even enter your contact information!

 

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