AC Vs. Heat Pump

Choosing a new HVAC system for your home isn’t something you do every day, and the prospect of making a major decision that will impact your household’s comfort, energy efficiency, and budget for many years can feel daunting. At SWK Mechanical, we understand this 100%, and whether you’re replacing an existing HVAC system or installing a brand-new one for the very first time, our friendly and knowledgeable team is here to help.

One of the most common questions we receive from customers is: Is an air conditioner or a heat pump a better choice for my home?

The answer is: It depends—on a variety of factors, including the layout of your home, your HVAC and efficiency goals, your budget, and more.

In this post, we’ve taken a look at how air conditioners and heat pumps actually work (don’t worry, we didn’t get too technical) as well as the similarities and differences between them. Still have more questions after reading the information below? Contact us at SWK Mechanical today to tell us about your specific HVAC needs and learn more!

Understanding The Basics

What Is An Air Conditioner (AC)?

An air conditioner (AC) is a type of cooling system. Air conditioners cool spaces by extracting heat and humidity from indoor air and transferring it outside.

Air conditioning can be set up in your home through a central system (ducted) or a mini-split system (ductless). Either way, your air conditioning system will need to be paired with a heating system for the winter months, as standard air conditioners do not have a heating function.

What Is A Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a type of HVAC system—a system that regulates indoor temperatures in both warm and cold weather conditions. Heat pumps cool spaces when it’s hot outdoors, just like air conditioners—by extracting heat and humidity from indoor air and transferring it outside. In addition, they warm spaces when it’s cold outdoors by extracting heat from outside air (even in chilly conditions) and transferring it indoors.

Like air conditioners, heat pump systems can be central (ducted) or ductless (mini-splits). The two main types of heat pump systems available in Canada are:

Air Source Heat Pump Systems – Air source heat pump systems release heat into the outdoor air in cooling mode and absorb heat from the outdoor air in heating mode.
Ground Source Heat Pump Systems – Ground source heat pump systems use the relatively consistent temperature of the ground or a water source to heat and cool your home. In heating mode, thermal energy is transferred from the ground or water source to your home via a system of buried or submerged pipes that connect to your heat pump. In cooling mode, thermal energy is released from your home into the ground or water source via the same pipes.

How Are They Different?

The primary difference between air conditioners and heat pumps is that, while air conditioners are only cooling systems, heat pumps are both cooling and heating systems. Air conditioners are usually paired with a furnace, while heat pumps may effectively cool and heat a home on their own, especially in more temperate climates. In colder climates (like Winnipeg), a heat pump can be paired with a furnace to supplement heat production in frigid temperatures as needed. This is known as a hybrid heating system.

How Each System Works

Cooling Function

Contrary to what some people believe, air conditioners do not actually produce cold air. Rather, they cool spaces and keep them comfortable by removing heat and humidity from indoor air and transferring it outside. The heat transfer process is facilitated by a refrigerant (coolant) and is known as the refrigeration cycle.

Like air conditioners, heat pumps also contain coolant and cool indoor spaces using the refrigeration cycle. In fact, in terms of cooling function, air conditioners and heat pumps are very similar—so much so that it would probably be challenging for the average person to tell them apart.

Heating Function

When it comes to heating, a heat pump does a very simple yet elegant thing: It reverses. A reversing valve is activated when the heat pump’s thermostat drops below a certain point, and just like that, the heat pump begins transferring heat from the outdoors in instead of the indoors out.

It may seem counterintuitive that a heat pump can extract warmth from cold outdoor air, but the truth is that, even at cold temperatures, the air contains enough thermal energy to heat (or partially heat) your home. With recent advancements in heat pump technology, some cold-climate heat pumps can function with exceptional efficiency even in extreme frigid temperatures. In many cases, however, a secondary heat source, such as a furnace, is used to supplement heat production during the coldest weeks or months of the year.

Cost Comparison: Installation And Long-Term Savings

The cost of an air conditioner or a heat pump depends on a variety of factors, including:

The type and brand of the system
The size and layout of your home
Your personal preferences for air filtration, energy efficiency, etc.

With that in mind, here are some financial considerations to keep in mind:

Upfront Costs

All else being equal, heat pumps tend to cost more upfront than air conditioners (which is perhaps not surprising when you consider that they do twice as much—heating and cooling vs. just cooling). At SWK Mechanical, we can help you narrow down your options based on your HVAC goals, the type of system you are interested in, and the specifics of your home. We’ll also be happy to provide a free in-house consultation and estimate. Call us today to learn more!

Operating Costs And Energy Bills

Heat pumps are highly efficient and don’t rely on fossil fuels. For these reasons, they can represent a long-term investment that will help you significantly reduce your energy bills over time. The cost of operating an air conditioner is similar to that of operating a heat pump in the summer, but when winter rolls around, you’ll likely still be paying to run a furnace that burns fossil fuels as your primary heat source.

Rebates And Incentives In Manitoba

Manitobans may be eligible to receive several rebates or incentives if they choose to install a heat pump:

Efficiency Manitoba offers rebates for air source and ground source heat pumps.
The Government of Manitoba offers a Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit for property owners who install a geothermal heat pump system.
The Manitoba Hydro Home Energy Efficiency Loan is available to eligible Manitobans looking to make efficient upgrades to their home, including the installation of a geothermal heat pump system.
The Canada Greener Homes Initiative helps Canadians transition from heating their home with oil to heating their home with a heat pump system.

Environmental Impact

Energy Efficiency Ratings

When you’re considering the energy efficiency of various models of air conditioners and/or heat pumps, you’ll want to look at SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) ratings: The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the unit. If investing in a high-efficiency system is important to you, we also recommend looking for a product that is ENERGY STAR certified. Both heat pumps and air conditioners are available in a range of efficiency ratings. Discuss your efficiency goals with our team to learn more!

Emissions And Carbon Footprint

When it comes to lowering your home’s emissions and carbon footprint, a heat pump system is the clear winner. While air conditioners and heat pumps may consume a similar amount of electricity during the summer months, homes with air conditioners typically still heat with a furnace that burns fossil fuels during the winter. Homes heated with a heat pump system, on the other hand, are powered by electricity year-round, and even with a hybrid heating system setup, significantly reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.

Government Push For Electrification In Canada

The government of Canada is actively pushing for the electrification of various sectors with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net-zero by the year 2050. The electrification of heating systems, including the installation of heat pumps, is a major area of focus.

Comparing Performance In Winnipeg’s Climate

Air conditioners and heat pumps tend to perform comparably during Winnipeg’s summer months (depending, of course, on the specific model and system type). During our frigid winters, many heat pumps may lose efficiency and need to be paired with a furnace as a secondary heating source. That being said, some manufacturers are now marketing cold-climate air source heat pumps that can remain efficient and effectively heat your home at temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius or below. The efficiency of heat pumps in extreme cold conditions is expected to continue improving with ongoing advances in technology over time.

When To Choose A Heat Pump Vs. An AC

Choosing a heat pump unit over an AC unit may be the right choice for you if:

You’re looking for a year-round heating and cooling solution
You want to reduce your home’s emissions and carbon footprint
You’re aiming to reduce your energy bills and consumption over the long term

Final Thoughts

Is a heat pump or an air conditioner the better choice for your home? That really depends on your goals, budget, preferences, and the specifics of your indoor space. Ultimately, both can be a good long-term investment and contribute to the safety and comfort of your household. Speak with our team at SWK Mechanical to further explore your options.