The world is currently struggling with the ongoing energy crisis whilst it continues to battle against climate change. As everyone looks to do their bit and reduce their carbon footprint, new technologies and upgrades are being unveiled at a rapid rate to help households all over the world become more energy efficient.

As part of this work, heat pumps have started to become utilised as an alternative household heating and cooling method to rival boilers and air conditioning units. Additionally, air source heat pump costs in UK homes have been reducing over time as the demand for the units is continuing to increase.

However, like any new invention, it is understandable that people are dubious about the reliability and predictability of heat power pumps. In order to provide you with greater peace of mind, and perhaps influence you that this is a change for the better, below we have outlined our top six reasons as to why heat pumps are more efficient than air conditioners.

 

6 Reasons Why Heat Pumps Are More Efficient Than Air Conditioners

 

1. Compared To Air Conditioners, Heat Pumps Are More Energy Efficient

Whether you are using your heat pump to create hot air or cold air, they are more energy efficient than an air conditioning unit. This is because, compared to air conditioning units, heat pumps will pump out more cold or warm air compared to the volume of energy it takes to complete the task, according to Forbes.

As the weather gets warmer, heat pumps only become more energy efficient compared to air conditioning units which have to work harder during hotter conditions while heat pumps do not. Additionally, heat pumps have improved dehumidifying features compared to air conditioners, ensuring that they use even less energy.

 

2. Heat Pumps Are Environmentally Friendly

Compared to conventional central heating systems, heat pumps are considerably more environmentally friendly. This is because your boiler requires fossil fuels in order to work, like natural gases, propane, or oil. Whereas heat pumps only require electricity, which is considered more environmentally friendly compared to the alternative. If you are looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint, the Energy Saving Trust believes installing a heat pump is an effective method.

 

3. Heat Pumps Can Both Heat And Cool Your Property

Instead of installing both a boiler and air conditioning unit, why not just get one device that can do both? Heat pumps can create both cold and warm air, making it the perfect temperature regulator in both the winter and the summer. And we know how difficult it is to keep your home warm during the winter.

Another major benefit of heat pumps is that it is not constrained by outside temperatures, as they can still pump warm air into your home even when the outside temperature is -28°C. On the other side of the spectrum, if the outdoor temperature is around 40°C, your air pump could still help produce cold air in your home. However, it is important to note that in extreme temperatures a heat pump will not be as efficient as it will require more power to pump the air.

 

4. Heat Pumps Work To Provide A Consistent Temperature Inside Your Home

Most heat pumps include variable-speed settings that help them maintain a consistent temperature in the house they are pumping air into. This means that they are able to provide a constant temperature more effectively, which air conditioning units cannot do as they do not feature the same settings - as they typically target a specific temperature before turning off. Most central heating systems also feature this setting, meaning that heat pumps can keep a consistent warm temperature in a better way than your boiler.

 

5. Heat Pumps Are No Louder Than Air Conditioning Units

One of the common misconceptions of heat pumps is that they are louder than alternative technologies. However, the typical noise level produced by a heat pump is between 40 and 50 decibels. While indoor air conditioners will produce noise around 19 to 50 decibels, with outdoor units making around 46 to 50 decibels of noise. Even a modern boiler isn't quieter than a heat pump, with your combi boiler typically making between 40 and 60 decibels of noise. With heat pumps, noise concerns are largely irrelevant if you can cope easily with indoor air conditioning units and boilers.

 

6. Heat Pumps Do Not Require Ducts

Finally, if your house doesn't feature ductwork, then heat pumps may be perfect for you. Similar to mini-split air conditioners, mini-split heat pumps do not require ducts to be operational, making them just as accessible as a central heating system or air conditioning unit. By opting for a mini-split heat pump, you can also just heat or cool specific rooms, which makes heat pumps even more energy efficient.

 

Why Are Heat Pumps More Efficient Than Air Conditioners?
Summary

As the world continues its battle against climate change, we are all looking for ways to become more environmentally friendly, sustainable, and energy efficient. One of the newest technological advancements making waves in the industry whilst hoping to help us achieve these goals are heat pumps. But are they more efficient than well-known air conditioner units? Heat pumps have a variety of benefits, and we've summarised them for you below:

• Heat pumps are more energy efficient than air conditioners.
• Heat pumps are more environmentally friendly.
• Heat pumps can both cool and warm up your home, whereas air conditioners can only cool them.
• Heat pumps can provide a consistent temperature, something that your boiler or air conditioning unit cannot do as effectively.
• Heat pumps are no louder than an air conditioning unit or boiler.
• And mini-split heat pumps do not require ducts in order to work.