Choosing Between Heat Pumps and Air Conditioning Systems

Nowadays with energy costs soaring and peopledissipate the heat.
being more conscious about the environment,The refrigerant then passes through a
choosing a cooling system for your home or placehigh-pressured device that converts it to a low
of business is a big decision. When it comes totemperature liquid. When the refrigerant becomes
choosing a cooling system, there are primarily twoa liquid it then returns to the indoor coil where the
main options. Those options are either an aircycle starts all over again.
conditioning system or a heat pump. Both can doHeat pumps are more than just a cooling system.
the job effectively and efficiently, but it isThey actually operate as both a heating and a
important to know the difference between thecooling system. They work similarly to air
two to determine which one is right for you.conditioners but require less energy. Heat pumps
Air conditioners have three main parts - awork by transferring heat from one location to
condenser, a compressor, and an evaporator.another. Heat pumps pull heat form the outside air
Both the compressor and the condenser areor ground and transfer it to heat a home or
normally located in the outdoor unit of thebuilding. This process is reversed to cool a building.
system. Air conditioning systems manufactureThe heat is taken from inside and transferred
cool air by evaporating a refrigerant product suchoutside.
as Freon.Although heat pumps use less energy, they are
The refrigerant receives and releases heat. Thismore efficient in moderate climates. If you live in
both raises and lowers temperature in thea placed that has a moderate climate, a heat
refrigerant causing it to change from a liquid to apump could save you money on energy costs.
gas and then back to a liquid again. When theHowever, if you do not live in a place that has a
refrigerant first begins to travel through an insidemoderate climate, an air conditioning system may
coil it is very cold. As warm air is pushed againstbe your best option.
the coil, the refrigerant absorbs the heat. OnceBoth air conditioners and heat pumps have one
enough heat is absorbed, the refrigerant turns intoprimary purpose and that is to keep you cool and
a vapor, travels to the compressor where it iscomfortable. To choose the best system for
pressurized and then moves to the outside coil.your home or building, you should consult with a
Once it is in the outside coil, the heat ip forcedheating and air conditioning specialist in your area.
out. A fan located in the outside unit helps to