Heat pumps and air conditioners are HVAC tools that make your home’s temperature more livable. However, there are several key differences, and it’s good to understand them to make the most informed decision for your home’s HVAC system.
Paul Lambert, the founder and CEO of California home heating and cooling company Quilt, knows that choosing the right system for your home can be challenge=ing. Heat pumps operate as both a heat and cooling system, so they can be the perfect all-in-one system for year-round comfort.
“Despite the misnomer, heat pumps both heat and cool your home, meaning they can keep you cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and comfortable all year-round. For folks who live in warm places and never need heating, ACs can do the job. For those who prefer the ability to heat and cool with the same all-electric system, heat pumps are your best bet,” said Lambert.
Key takeaways
Heat pumps are often the better choice because they use less energy and can operate year-round.
Air conditioning systems cost less upfront and last longer than heat pumps.
Contrary to popular belief, heat pumps can still operate in colder climates but may do so less efficiently than in moderate temperatures.
If you already have central heating and cooling systems, you may be better off re-installing an air conditioner over a new heat pump to avoid paying for removing your entire HVAC system.
How air conditioners and heat pumps work
“Heat pumps and ACs function with the same technology of moving heat between the outside and inside,” said Lambert. Whether your home has ductwork or is ductless, you can install either an air conditioner or a heat pump.
Air conditioner
Air conditioners come in many shapes and sizes. But whether they’re window units, portable ACs, or central ACs built into your home’s ducted HVAC system, they all work the same.
A standard air conditioner removes heat and humidity from indoor air, transfers it outside and returns cooled air to the indoor space. It uses three primary mechanical components: a compressor, a condenser coil and an evaporator coil.
Working together with a specialized chemical known as a refrigerant, these components rapidly convert the refrigerant from gas to liquid and back to gas while moving the heat from inside your home outside and replacing it with cooled air.
A window AC unit and a central air system repeat the same process until your home has reached the desired temperature
Heat pump
Heat pumps work as their name suggests, but people often misconstrue the name to mean they only pump heat into the home. They do pump heat in, but they also pump heat out.
“There are many advantages to heat pumps when it comes to comparison to AC condensers,” said Drew Farrell, a comfort advisor at Spencer Home Services in Massachusetts. “The name ‘heat pump’ infers that it is for heating, but heat pumps actually heat and cool your home utilizing the same outdoor condenser unit. AC condensers will only cool.”
Heat pumps use a compressor and refrigerant to condition air. But where air conditioners remove heat and blow cool air, heat pumps extract heat from the surrounding air and move it to where it’s needed. A heat exchanger extracts heat, which moves on to a heat sink and then through another heat exchanger to amplify or transfer heat. When it’s hot outside in the summer, a heat pump pushes warm air from inside the home to the outside. In the winter, it takes air from outside, warms it up and pumps it into your home.
“Another advantage to heat pumps is that there are many configurations to be deployed to get the results wanted in conditioning your space,” Farrell said. “These configurations are ducted, non-ducted, and of course, mixed-ducted systems. This allows for conditioning your dwelling without the need for traditional ducting throughout your house. Some of the non-ducted systems used with heat pumps are in the form of mini-split-head units or low-wall units and ceiling cassettes.”
Key differences: Air pump and air conditioner
“Heat pumps and air conditioners both use refrigerant to cool a home… [but] ACs become pretty useless during winter when it’s colder outside and you need warm air in the house,” said Max Veggeberg, the CEO and Founder of Tetra — a tech-enabled home services company that helps homeowners adopt energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions and maximize the benefits of doing so.
If you can choose between an AC system and a heat pump, experts like Lambert recommend a heat pump every time due to its high efficiency and eco-friendly design.
“Twenty percent of U.S. global warming emissions come from homes. The largest driver of home emissions is burning fossil fuels for heat. Heat pumps are a magical technology – today they can reach 300% to 400% efficiency or even higher, meaning they’re putting out three to four times as much energy in the form of heat as they’re using in electricity, Lambert said. “Heat pumps are a no-brainer and are already outpacing furnace sales. The all-electric future is here and it’s an upgrade in every way.”
Heat pump vs. air conditioners
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Air conditioner
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|---|---|
| Best for | Cooling your home in warm weather |
| Cost | $100 - $20,000 |
| Lifespan | 15 - 20 years |
| Maintenance | $150 - $5,000 for repairs |
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Heat pump
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|---|---|
| Best for | Heating and cooling your home all year around |
| Cost | $1,300 - $35,000 |
| Lifespan | 10 - 15 years |
| Maintenance | $290 - $1,550 for repairs |
Pros and cons of air conditioners and air pumps
Because of their heating and cooling efficiency, heat pumps are nearly always a better choice for homeowners. Nonetheless, both air conditioners and heat pumps have pros and cons.
Air conditioner
One window AC unit might be enough to keep your home comfortable. However, large homes may require extensive modifications to cool the entire house, and ducted central AC systems will still need to be paired with a separate furnace to provide heating in the winter. That makes air conditioners more expensive to install and maintain.
Still, homes that already have a working furnace and ductwork can save money by installing just a central air conditioner to round out their HVAC system. Many homes already have working systems, and it may not be worth the time or money to get rid of the furnace and replace it with heat pumps.
Air conditioner pros
- Wide range of prices
- Can filter air to improve breathability and reduce allergens
- Often works quickly to cool a home
- Can cool your entire home (with ductwork)
Air conditioner cons
- Only cools air, doesn’t heat it
- Can use more electricity than heat pumps
- Can be more expensive to operate than heat pumps
- Central AC requires ductwork
Heat pump
The Department of Energy (DOE) has found that heat pumps can reduce your electric bill by as much as 50%, saving you an average of $500 a year.
Like air conditioners, heat pumps can work in homes with and without ducts. However, both ducted and ductless heat pump solutions are far more efficient than air conditioning counterparts. Even if a heat pump system is more expensive to install than an AC system, the need to install a furnace to complete your HVAC system, combined with the long-term energy savings, makes heat pumps considerably more affordable.
Despite a common belief, heat pumps are still more efficient in cold weather than traditional gas- and oil-powered furnaces, let alone electric heating systems. They’re also very efficient in warm climates, but if you’re comfortable in the cooler months in a well-insulated home, you may not need to spend the money to upgrade from AC to heat pumps.
“Heat pumps can work in most homes, including single-family homes, condos, apartments and even townhouses — with or without ductwork. Heat pumps are versatile and can be designed to heat and cool your entire home or just some rooms,” said Veggeberg.
Heat pump pros
- Both heats and cools
- Works efficiently with ductwork and without
- Uses less energy
- Versatile
- Minimal upkeep
Heat pump cons
- Becomes less efficient in cold temperatures
- More expensive upfront
- May have a shorter lifespan
Cost of air conditioners vs. heat pumps
Thanks to the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit and state incentives, heat pumps and air conditioners can both enjoy rebates or tax credits. Heat pumps may be more of an initial investment, but they can save you money on energy in the long run.
“Choosing a heat pump in lieu of a traditional AC unit is a way to cut long-term costs on utilities and provide their homes with reliable, steady performance in both hot and cold temperatures,” said Veggeberg. “Also, heat pumps run more efficiently and don’t burn fossil fuels, making them significantly safer, as there are no toxic fumes emitting from the unit. While a bit more expensive to install, heat pumps ultimately are the financially responsible choice, as they come with lower energy bills, tax credits and rebates that more than make up for the initial cost difference.”
Air conditioner
Price points for air conditioners vary as much as the styles and size (or BTU) of the units. A simple window or portable AC unit costs as little as $100, but the price of central and ductless systems can easily cost thousands of dollars to install.
If you have a small home and just need a few window air conditioners to keep it cool in the summer, you can save a significant amount of money upfront. Many window or portable units are also highly efficient, making them relatively inexpensive to run.
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Average cost
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|---|---|
| Portable AC | $100 - $500 |
| Window AC unit | $150 - $1,300 |
| Ductless mini-split | $600 - $20,000 |
| Central AC | $1,500 - $7,400 |
Heat pump
Like air conditioners, heat pumps come in a few varieties and prices. The cost largely depends on the size of your home but will usually be between $1,300 and $35,000 If you have existing ducts, setting up a new ductless mini-split heat pump system is less expensive than installing new ducts. However, installing new ducts will add to the cost.
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Average cost
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|---|---|
| Ductless mini-split | $1,300 - $14,500 |
| Dual fuel or hybrid | $2,500 - $15,000 |
| Gas-fired | $3,800 - $10,000 |
| Air-source | $4,500 - $14,000 |
| Geothermal | $6,000 - $35,000 |
Efficiency ratings of air conditioners vs. heat pumps
pro tip
- I recently installed a heat pump in my home and received an instant $10,000 rebate from the Massachusetts Save energy incentive program, cutting the project cost in half. Last year, my electric bills in winter topped $1,000 per month using electric baseboard heating. If the standard savings projections bear out, I’ll save over $300 monthly in the coldest time of the year.
Air conditioners and heat pumps enjoy significant recent efficiency improvements. Both are eligible for the Energy Star ratings program, and many companies make Energy Star-certified products that meet efficiency criteria set by the DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Air conditioner
HVAC efficiency is measured by SEER rating, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. “A SEER rating is the ratio developed when the cooling output of the system over an average cooling season is divided by the total energy used,” explained Veggeberg.
To meet Energy Star criteria, central air conditioners must have a SEER rating of 15.2 or higher. This rating calculates the heat from a conditioned space during the annual cooling season divided by the total electrical energy consumed by the unit during the same season.
A higher SEER rating is better than a lower one, and SEER ratings for central units typically exceed those of window and portable units. “Window AC units have a SEER rating of 13 to 20. Central AC systems can range from 14 to 26 SEER,” said Veggeberg.
Heat pump
Because they’re used for both heating and cooling, heat pumps have a SEER rating and a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF2). An HSPF2 rating measures the power a heat pump needs to heat a particular space in the fall and winter seasons.
Heat pumps must also exceed a 15.2 SEER rating for Energy Star certification and an 8.1 HSPF2 rating (8.5 for ductless systems). Veggeberg said, “Heat pumps can have SEER ratings of 13 to 33, but most high-efficiency options have SEER ratings 16+.” This makes them a more efficient option than air conditioners.
“In heating mode, a heat pump can offer up to 500% efficiency, meaning they produce [up to] five times as much heat energy as they use in electricity, depending on the climate. While heat pumps excel in warmer conditions, their efficiency slightly drops in the cold because it’s harder to extract heat from the outside air but many climate rated heat pumps can run in temperatures as cold as -13 degrees Fahrenheit,” said Veggeberg.
Lifespan of air conditioners vs. heat pumps
The one area where air conditioners have an edge on heat pumps is durability. Because they don’t run year-round, they have longer lifespans — between 15 and 20 years on average. Compared to heat pumps lasting 10 to 15 years, you’ll get nearly double the life out of a well-maintained air conditioner. The shorter lifespan of heat pumps can primarily be attributed to their year-round use.
Maintenance of air conditioners vs. heat pumps
pro tip
- Often, you can soften the blow of repairs and replacements if you contract with a company to perform annual or semi-annual checkups on your AC unit or heat pump. Tune-ups can save you money throughout the year in energy savings. Having a professional look at your HVAC system twice a year can clue you into potential problems before they occur.
Both air conditioners and heat pumps require professional maintenance to ensure peak longevity. Fortunately, most new HVAC products come with manufacturer’s warranties that include annual service. Even if a previous homeowner bought your unit, you may still have the warranty, so check your home purchase documents.
Air conditioner
Air conditioners require annual maintenance to continue working at peak performance. You can do some of this maintenance yourself on window or portable AC units by simply cleaning the filter.
Mini-splits or central ducted air conditioning systems, however, require a professional. To keep your air conditioner running well, schedule a service call at least once a year. Small AC repairs shouldn’t be too expensive, ranging from $150 to $550, but major repairs can jump to $5,000 with the many specialized components in today’s AC systems.
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Average repair cost
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|---|---|
| Air duct (cleaning) | $275 - 900 |
| Air duct (repair) | $500 - $2,000 |
| Capacitor | $100 - $250 |
| Circuit board | $110 - $635 |
| Compressor | $1,000 - $2,800 |
| Condenser coil | $715 - $2,100 |
| Evaporator coil | $515 - $2,135 |
| Expansion valve | $135 - $670 |
| Fan motor | $135 - $700 |
| Thermostat | $115 - $450 |
Heat pump
All air source heat pumps clean air, so you’ll want to clean the filter yourself a few times a year. In addition, since you’re using it year-round, especially in hot and cold seasons, it’s crucial to get two annual service calls — one before the summer, one before the winter.
Heat pumps may be more expensive to maintain each year, but they’re usually less expensive to repair or replace. A major repair to a unit usually won’t exceed $2,000.
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Average repair cost
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|---|---|
| Refrigerant | $100 - 300 |
| Capacitor | $150 - $250 |
| Line drier | $150 - $300 |
| Defrost control board | $200 - $650 |
| Condenser fan blade | $150 - $400 |
| Condenser fan motor | $250 - $650 |
| Condenser coil | $650 - $1,500 |
| Compressor | $800 - $3,500 |
Top air conditioner and heat pump brands
If you’re interested in installing an air conditioner or heat pump, we’ve done the research to identify the best brands in the market.
Air conditioner
Our top-rated air conditioner brands include York, Rheem, Friedrich and Lennox. Each brand offers a variety of air conditioner units, from central air to window air conditioning units. While York, Rheem, and Lennox earn high marks for durability and maintenance costs, Friedrich excels in making remarkably quiet AC units. Depending on your budget and home’s needs, you find a reliable AC solution from any of these brands.
Heat pump
Our top-rated heat pump brands include Lennox, Bryant and Ruud. Like air conditioner brands, each heat pump brand offers a variety of ducted or ductless systems to accommodate your home’s needs. All three brands earned high marks from us for their durability and efficiency ratings. While other brands offer excellent efficiency, our top choices provide reliable operation, reasonable maintenance costs, and strong customer testimonials.
Bottom line: Which you should install?
Heat pumps are the clear winner when it comes to efficiency and versatility. They operate at up to 500% efficiency in certain climates and can be installed in homes with and without ducts. While they come at a higher price tag, the experts agreed they are worth the investment.
However, that doesn’t discount air conditioners. The cost is hard to beat if you already have an AC unit installed and want to replace it. Plus, they last nearly twice as long since you only use them in summer. If you are among the lucky homeowners who get mild winters and don’t need a heating system, then an AC system is the obvious choice for the initial cost savings.