Difference between AC and heat pump?
#1
04-13-07, 02:35 PM
Difference between AC and heat pump?
Hi,
I am not sure whether I have an AC or a heat pump in my house. The unit sits outside of my house. How can one tell the difference between them by watching the unit itself? Can I just replace the current unit by a heat pump regardless of whether it is an AC or a heat pump? Thanks.
Kwh
I am not sure whether I have an AC or a heat pump in my house. The unit sits outside of my house. How can one tell the difference between them by watching the unit itself? Can I just replace the current unit by a heat pump regardless of whether it is an AC or a heat pump? Thanks.
Kwh
#2
04-13-07, 05:20 PM
Group Moderator
Okay, what a heat pump does is essentially work the ac in reverse. Think of it this way. In the summer when the ac is running if you stand next to the outside unit you feel warm air, right? Well, in the winter, if the unit runs in "reverse" that heat goes inside instead of being lost to the atmospherre. It's a little more complicated than that, but that's the general principle.
Yes, you can replace the existing unit with either a heat pump or one that is a straight ac unit with "resistance" heating - one that has an electical heating element to provide the heat.
Hopefully an ac pro will come by for the info I've missed.
Yes, you can replace the existing unit with either a heat pump or one that is a straight ac unit with "resistance" heating - one that has an electical heating element to provide the heat.
Hopefully an ac pro will come by for the info I've missed.
#3
04-13-07, 05:54 PM
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Not knowing where you are from. but in the snow area, most heat pump are raised up on a stand for the water to drain away when it's in defrost. otherwise, non-snow area, they are on the ground like most A/C.
so You can't really tell by just looking at it. What do you have for heating equipement in the home now? some time on a t-stat, you will have a switch saying "Heat, off, cool, Aux/Emrg" that can tell that you have a heat pump.
If you want to go heat pump, chances are you will need a new coil inside to match the system.
so You can't really tell by just looking at it. What do you have for heating equipement in the home now? some time on a t-stat, you will have a switch saying "Heat, off, cool, Aux/Emrg" that can tell that you have a heat pump.
If you want to go heat pump, chances are you will need a new coil inside to match the system.
#4
04-13-07, 08:38 PM
Just put the tstat on heat and push the tstat up. Then go out side and see if the condenser is running . If so you "gots" a heat pump Yes you will have to change the inside and outside units to have a heat pump. So they match for you to get the higher SEER and HSPF.
#5
04-17-07, 11:53 AM
Difference between AC and heat pump
Hi,
Thanks a lot. I live in MD. Now I know I have an AC because there is no Emergency Heat setting on the T-state and the outside fan does not run in heat mode. I only have electricity bill so the heat must come from heating the furnace.
Question: the AC is about 20 years old and thinking about replacing the AC unit only. Do you think it is okay to leave everything else alone and replace only the outside AC unit?
Thanks again.
Kwh
Thanks a lot. I live in MD. Now I know I have an AC because there is no Emergency Heat setting on the T-state and the outside fan does not run in heat mode. I only have electricity bill so the heat must come from heating the furnace.
Question: the AC is about 20 years old and thinking about replacing the AC unit only. Do you think it is okay to leave everything else alone and replace only the outside AC unit?
Thanks again.
Kwh
#6
04-17-07, 02:16 PM
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Do you know if your furnace is gas or electric?
If you don not have gas, and it's electric heat, then you are by far better off getting a heat pump, you will save a lot on your electric bill.
If you don not have gas, and it's electric heat, then you are by far better off getting a heat pump, you will save a lot on your electric bill.
#7
04-17-07, 02:59 PM
I only have electricity bill so the heat must come from heating the furnace.
Then you must have a electric furnace with the Ac on top of it. At 20 years old . A lot of them where put in that way. you want to put in a new blower coil with a V/S blower and electric elements for back up heat with a new heat pump condenser. Be sure and get 3 bids for the job
Then you must have a electric furnace with the Ac on top of it. At 20 years old . A lot of them where put in that way. you want to put in a new blower coil with a V/S blower and electric elements for back up heat with a new heat pump condenser. Be sure and get 3 bids for the job
