Does a heat pump serve as both the AC and the furnace?
Both my AC and furnace are 20 years old. I am trying to determine if I should replace each individually or consider a heat pump; however, I am not entirely sure I understand how a heat pump works or what it is.
2006-06-11 12:03:34 · 5 answers · asked by Tracy T 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It is probably best to stay with a system like your old one except that you should opt for higher efficiencies this time around. Especially if you live in an area with cold winters. A l3 seer A/C and a 95% AFUE furnace would be a combination that would be so efficient that it would eventually pay for itself (If you live in an area with cold winters especially). Also the cost of the initial installation may well be cheaper with furnace/A-C than with a heat pump. The heat pump's compressor , in most cases, does double duty in that it runs summer and winter. Whereas the central A/C compressor would only run in summer. Also , quite often, heat pumps in winter often require auxiiliary heating by means of a second-stage electrical heating-element. And we all know that electric heating can be expensive. Another positive to a standard system is that service calls can be less frequent because heat pumps are more complicated. Good luck in choosing.
2006-06-12 04:02:40 · answer #1 · answered by Huero 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a heat pump works by burying a long coil of pipe in the ground (the depth depends on your region) the pipe has water or sometimes water and a type of gas. the heat pump circulates this through the pipe. since the ground stays a near constant temperature usually around 68 degrees depending where you live it only takes a little energy to heat your house or cool your house. you set your thermostat to the desired temp and the heat pump will take what temp. the ground is and add or subtract to get you your desired temp. they are very efficent in areas like the midwest where the ground temp stays fairly constant.
2006-06-11 23:02:59 · answer #2 · answered by deathdealer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AC is the Air conditioning and Heat pump is for heat....If the average temp in your region is below freezing in the winter stay away from Heat pumps.....
2006-06-11 12:05:35 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
replace each individually--then if it beaks down you still have one that works. buy a spilt ductless a/c system-they are cheaper and last longer than central. heat pumps will work down to 8 degrees but they dont work as well as above freezing(32).you need to contact a local hvac contractor--he can help you!
lic.hvac tech.
2006-06-11 13:50:57 · answer #4 · answered by ric5397 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a heat pump is both a/c and heat. a gas pack or split unit gas has both heat and a/c. i prefer gas pack or split gas unit.
lic. gen. contractor
2006-06-11 13:01:45 · answer #5 · answered by bigg_dogg44 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋