When it comes time to install a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system – comparing heat pumps vs. air conditioning systems for Auckland homeowners can help them make the right decision. Comparisons can be based on heating capabilities, energy efficiency, and cost implications.
Operational Differences
There are numerous misconceptions about how air conditioners work. Many people believe they produce cool air. In actuality, its process is more straightforward: it just transmits heat from one location to another.
The process of a heat pump is reversed. Heat is extracted from the external air by the condenser coils and absorbed by the refrigerant. The evaporator coils emit heat energy, which mixes with the air moving through the system. This procedure warms the air inside your home.
Heating Requirements
During the summer, the air conditioning system is helpful on its own. However, homeowners turn off air conditioners and rely on heating systems like furnaces to keep warm as the temperature drops. Basically, air conditioners are only for cooling. With a heat pump, you get a system for heating and cooling as one.
Cost Implications
An HVAC dealer can assist you in determining all of the costs involved. While the indoor unit of a heat pump system is less expensive, the outdoor unit, when compared to an air conditioner, can be more expensive upfront. When it comes to cost, it’s crucial to examine the total costs of installing a system that can heat and cool your home.
Air-source heat pumps and air conditioners are cost-effective solutions but can range in price dramatically depending on the model.
A geothermal heat pump system is the most expensive cooling system. On the low end, geothermal systems cost around $10,000, while on the high end, they cost $30,000 or more.
When you upgrade your home’s HVAC systems, you’ll either have to pay for backup heating equipment or a primary heating system, or select a system that can handle a combination of heating and cooling.
Energy Efficiency
Heat pump systems provide energy-efficient heating using electricity instead of other energy sources in moderately cold outdoor temperatures.
In temperatures below freezing, the heat pump uses more energy to maintain indoor comfort, reducing efficiency and increasing your power bill. This can be solved by combining a heat pump and a furnace to form a hybrid heat system. But note that a hybrid system can be more expensive than the combination of an air conditioner and a furnace.
Under ideal outdoor conditions, the efficiency of an air conditioner vs. a heat pump is almost identical. However, When heating is required, there is a significant difference in energy efficiency.
Ready To Choose?
If you’re building your dream home, now is the time to think about your heating and cooling needs.
At Vartech Air, we specialise in the installation of heat pumps and air conditioning in Auckland.
Our heat pump installation experts collaborate with you to design and retrofit the best heat pump systems. We examine your home’s architecture and insulation to determine the most effective heat pump solution.
We also provide residential air conditioning services in Auckland. While we specialise in commercial and industrial air conditioning, we also have domestic experience and can recommend the most popular and effective air conditioning units and solutions for New Zealand homes.
Contact us for an obligation-free quote today!
