UPDATE March 2020
Our district in California has put a restriction on furnace emissions, so now is the time to convert to a heat pump with 0% gas emissions.
In an effort to lower greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030, some areas of California are regulating the nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions of residential gas furnaces. In addition, several communities are encouraging electric only or electrification mandates for all new residential construction.
While this may sound confusing, the good news is Hydes has a solution that can meet these environmentally friendly regulations and could lower your energy costs over time compared to traditional gas furnaces.
Find out how California’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions can impact your home heating and cooling choices and what energy-saving options are available to you.
What is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump is an HVAC system that heats and cools your home with just one unit. During the summer, it performs exactly like an air conditioner to remove heat from your home and expel it outside. During the winter, it acts like an air conditioner in reverse – taking heat from the air outside and bringing it indoors to heat your home.
Heat pumps offer a different solution for heating and cooling your home and have been quickly growing in popularity, especially in warmer climates like here in Southern California. Because heat pumps only use electricity as their power source, they allow you to avoid spending money on the natural gas that would normally be used to power a furnace during the winter.
One Appliance that Heats & Cools Your Home
So what exactly is a heat pump and how is it used to heat and cool your home?
When you hear the phrase “heat pump,” you might not immediately think of a system that can cool your home. But the unique thing about heat pumps is that they can provide both heating and cooling for your home using the very same system.
So now that we’re settling into our warmer season here in the Coachella Valley, you might be wondering about the difference of a heat pump vs. an air conditioner when it comes to cooling your home.
We’re going to take a look at the difference between the two systems and how to choose which one is right for you!
Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioner: How They Work
When it’s in the cooling mode, a heat pump cycles refrigerant between an indoor and outdoor unit in order to take heat from a home and move it to the air outside. Does that sound familiar? Maybe because that’s just how an air conditioner works!
The main difference (as you’ll see later) is that a heat pump can also reverse its process to provide heating for your home as well.
The truth is that air source heat pumps and air conditioners work almost exactly the same way.
Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioner: Measuring Efficiency
So if heat pumps and air conditioners work the same way, does that mean they use the same efficiency ratings? Actually, yes! Heat pumps and air conditioners both use SEER and EER ratings to measure how efficiently they operate.
- Heat pumps are more energy-efficient than air conditioners and furnaces because moving or transferring heat is easier than making it.
The higher the SEER rating, the more efficiently the unit will cool your home.
Heat Pump vs. Air Conditioner: Installation
If you decide to install an air conditioner, you’ll also need to install a separate heating system for your home.
- If you decide to install a heat pump, you’ll only have to install a single unit that will keep your home comfortable year-round.
Keep in mind that heat pumps are typically more efficient than any other heating option for your home, also your cooling bills will be relatively the same with a heat pump. This is especially true in our warm climate where a backup heat source is generally not required.
Where You Live Matters
A heat pump is right for you if you live in a mild climate. If your winters average around 30-40 degrees F, heat pumps are the perfect fit for your home. A climate, like the Coachella Valley, that has milder winters works well for a heat pump.
If you’re having trouble deciding between a heat pump and an air conditioner, feel free to contact Hydes online or call (760) 360-2202 and we can help you make the most informed decision possible!
You’ll get a customized recommendation based on your preferences and the specific needs of your home.
