Is a Heat Pump Better than Central Air Conditioning?

Both heat pumps and central air conditioning systems can keep your Sarasota FL home or business cool and comfortable even when the weather outside is scorching. The best cooling system is the one that offers you optimal energy-efficient performance at the best price. When it comes to purchasing a cost-effective HVAC system, however, the sticker price is less important than the savings that you’ll accumulate through lower energy bills over the life of the system. The specific construction and layout of your structure are important considerations as well, as are your individual cooling needs.

Defining Cooling Technology

The two most common types of heat pumps are air-source and ground-source units, also called geothermal pumps. Both types include models designed to provide cool air, warm air or both. All pumps operate using the same basic technology as conventional air conditioners. Refrigerant loops through the system, changing from a liquid to a gas and back again. As the refrigerant evaporates into its gaseous form, heat is extracted from the surrounding environment and is moved outside of your home or business. The cooled air is then delivered throughout the structure through ductwork or air handlers.

Determining Your Specific Cooling Needs

Air-source and geothermal pumps typically contain control systems that allow them to reverse operation, cooling your home or business in the summer and heating it in the winter. This dual capability makes them an economical choice if you’re looking for a product that will both heat and cool your environment. If your existing heating system is an effective, high efficiency model, then purchasing a conventional central air conditioning system may be a more practical option.

Split Decisions

HVAC systems are available in either packaged or split systems. The structure of your home or business may influence which option is best for you. Packaged systems house all of the system components in a single outdoor unit and deliver conditioned air through ductwork. Most cooling systems are engineered as split systems. In a split system, the bulk of the equipment is housed in a single unit outside. Refrigerant tubing links the outdoor equipment to an indoor unit that houses the evaporator and connects to the air delivery and recovery system. If installing a new central air conditioning system, the indoor equipment is typically connected to the existing heater’s air distribution system. For systems that both heat and cool, the equipment is housed inside a blower unit.

Installing an energy-efficient heat pump as your primary heating and cooling system is an investment that will pay off in savings on your monthly energy bills. Because pumps move heat rather than generate it, they consume far less energy than conventional heating systems. If you already have a well-performing heater, installing an energy-efficient air conditioner requires less of an upfront investment. At Custom-Air Heating and Cooling, our goal is to keep you comfortable in Sarasota FL without sending your energy bills skyrocketing. We’re pleased to provide information on all of your cooling options to ensure that you enjoy a cool and comfortable environment for many years to come.