Are Heat Pumps Better Than ACs?

You have numerous options if you're looking for a replacement for your Radford, VA, home's AC system. One of them is to trade your standard AC for a heat pump, which is gaining traction as the HVAC option of choice in our area. However, heat pumps cost significantly more than conventional ACs. Here's why that is and how you can decide if a heat pump is a better option than a standard AC.

What Is a Heat Pump?

Believe it or not, there aren't many differences between a regular AC and a heat pump. In fact, all air conditioners are types of heat pumps. The term "heat pump" describes a device that collects heat in one place and releases it elsewhere, using a refrigerant. You may not know it, but your refrigerator is a heat pump, too.

In an HVAC context, though, a heat pump is a system that can serve as both a heating and a cooling solution. They're bi-directional. That means they can capture heat indoors and remove it to cool your home. It also means they can capture heat from the outdoor air and bring it inside to warm your home.

It's the heating function offered by heat pumps that makes them so attractive. They're incredibly energy-efficient since they don't consume fuel to produce heat. Whereas gas furnaces are between 80% and 98.7% efficient, heat pumps can be up to 400% efficient. And since they don't emit any carbon, they're environmentally friendly, too.

How Heat Pumps Work

A heat pump isn't all that different from an air conditioner. The big difference is that heat pumps feature specially designed coils that can function interchangeably as condensers or evaporators. Additionally, they include a reversing valve that allows them to change the direction of their refrigerant flow. 

In cooling mode, a heat pump reduces the pressure and temperature of its refrigerant and sends it indoors. There, the refrigerant passes through the indoor coil and absorbs heat from your home's air as a fan circulates it. Afterward, the refrigerant exits to the outside, where the compressor increases its pressure and temperature, allowing it to release heat into the outdoor air, even on a hot day.

In heating mode, the process reverses. The cold refrigerant first passes through the outdoor coil, where it absorbs heat from the outdoor air as long as its temperature is lower than that of the incoming air. Once the refrigerant warms up, it passes through the compressor, which increases its pressure and temperature. From there, it travels to the indoor coil to release heat into your home's air.

Why Choose a Heat Pump Over an AC

If you only plan to replace your home's AC and not its heater, a heat pump may seem excessive. After all, they are significantly more expensive. However, there are some mitigating factors you should consider.

One is that installing a heat pump could help you save a significant amount on your home's heating costs. Even though electricity rates are typically higher than natural gas, most homeowners realize savings with heat pumps. There are also generous tax credits and rebate programs that apply to efficient heat pumps.

One of the programs is a federal tax credit worth up to 30% of a heat pump's total cost, up to $2,000. That alone can help make a new heat pump cost-competitive with a new AC. The other program is a point-of-sale rebate based on your income level.

This program should become available to Radford homeowners by mid-2025. It can provide a discount of up to $8,000 on a qualifying heat pump. Between the two, a heat pump could be a much cheaper purchase than you thought.

Your Local AC and Heat Pump Experts

Since 1986, New River Heating & Air has been a local leader in efficient HVAC solutions in Radford. We sell and install high-efficiency ACs, boilers, furnaces, and heat pumps. We work with brands like American Standard, Lennox, Mitsubishi Electric, and Carrier. Our team of HVAC technicians is NATE-certified, guaranteeing their skill and expertise. We also offer a complete satisfaction guarantee on all system installations.

This includes unlimited, no-charge service calls during business hours as necessary for 12 months after installation. If you're looking to install a new AC or heat pump in your Radford home, reach out to New River Heating & Air today!