Month: March 2019

Whether you have a new construction or remodel, or it is simply time to replace your HVAC system’s components, you will eventually need to make the decision about installing a heat pump or air conditioner/furnace system.

The question begs to be asked: What is the difference between a heat pump and a traditional air conditioner/furnace system?

In warm weather, the function of an air conditioner or a heat pump is essentially the same––to cool your home. Both function by pulling heat out of the air, leaving you with cooler air inside your home.

The biggest difference between an air conditioner and a heat pump is that as the weather cools down, a heat pump can be reversed so it takes heat from outside the home and moves it inside, effectively warming up your house. A heat pump does two jobs––warms and cools. In general, a heat pump uses less energy, since you have one appliance doing two jobs.

In colder, northern climates, often a heat pump may only work as supplemental heating for a furnace in larger homes. In warmer, southern climates, a heat pump is usually the only appliance you need to keep your home comfortable all year long.

In northern states, a furnace is usually the primary source of heat for a home. As temperatures fall below 40 degrees, a heat pump can get strained because its primary function is pulling heat from one place and transferring it to another. The colder the air and ground become, the less heat there is for a pump to transfer.

A heat pump is always environmentally friendly, particularly a geothermal heat pump. It uses the ground as a heat source rather than burning fossil fuels or natural gas. It uses the earth’s natural temperature to heat and cool.

There are a number of things to consider when choosing to install a heat pump or a traditional air conditioner/furnace system. At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we can help you decide what is best for you. The size and location of your home, as well as the climate, are all factors in finding the right system for you. Call ACS Air Conditioning Services at 520-230-5668 or request service online. We are here to help you find the most cost-effective option we can.

A heat pump is a device that transfers heat from one place to another, from inside to outside or from outside to inside. In the winter a heat pump works like a heater, extracting heat energy from outside and transferring it inside—instead of generating its own heat like a furnace. In the summer the process reverses, and it removes heat from your home and transfers it outside like an air conditioner.

At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we would love to talk to you if you need service or maintenance on your current system or if you are considering installing one. Many of your Tucson, AZ, neighbors are already enjoying the versatility and energy efficiency of their systems, making it a popular option here in our region.

The Differences Between Heat Pumps

There are many different names and types of heat pumps, but they can all be categorized as one of three different types: air source, water source, or geothermal.

Air Source

An air source heat pump (ASHP) transfers energy in the air from one place to another. It uses an outdoor heat exchanger coil to extract heat from the air and an indoor heat exchanger coil to transfer the heat into air ducts, radiators, or a hot water tank. This process can also be reversed, so it may be used as an air conditioner as well.

Water Source

A water source heat pump (WSHP) operates similarly to the air source but uses water instead of air to transfer heat. These types of pumps are not available to everyone because of the resources needed, but if you live near a well, lake, or other natural resource, this can be a viable option. A water source heat pump cycles water through a series of pipes laid out in water. As the water cycles, it collects the heat and transfers that energy into your home. Again, this process reverses in the summer and carries heat out of your home by way of the water in the pipes.

Geothermal

A geothermal heat pump is also called a ground source heat pump (GSHP). In this system, the pump uses the earth as its heat source. Conceptually, a geothermal heat pump is the same as an air source or water source heat pump.

There are two different methods for its installation:

• Horizontal ground-coupled system—a horizontal ground-coupled system buries horizontal piping four feet or more under the ground and circulates a fluid, like antifreeze or water, through it.
• Vertical ground-coupled system—a vertical ground-coupled system has the same process as its horizontal counterpart, but the pipes are buried vertically.

The geography and climate around your home are important when deciding which kind of heat pump is right for you. If you have questions about which type is optimum for your home please request service, request estimate, or call ACS Air Conditioning Services today at 520-230-5668 and speak with one of our professionals.