You may not know which one you use…
If you are unsure which cooling system is in your home, Estes Services is here to help you. Whether you have an air conditioner or heat pump in your Georgia home, it’s a good idea to understand how each one functions and the benefits each offers.
There are at least two differences between them, and each has its own set of benefits. By knowing which unit is cooling your home, you can take proactive steps toward maintenance in the future and save yourself money on expensive HVAC repairs.
So, you may know there’s a unit outside generating noise when it operates and is controlled with the thermostat in your home. Not surprisingly, there is more to it. An air conditioner transfers heat from inside your home to the outdoors, moving heat only in one direction.
Tips to Determine the Difference Between an Air Conditioner and Heat Pump
A heat pump does the same thing as an air conditioner, and it goes one step further by also transferring heat from outside into your home during the colder months. There are three simple ways to find out which cooling system you have:
- Ask the Internet: Everyone turns to the internet when searching for information; the same is true for your cooling system. Locate the model number on the exterior unit and type it into a search engine, along with the brand name of your cooling system. This might provide you with the answer you need without too much effort in the process.
- Play Detective: If you want to find out the answer for yourself without the help of modern technology, go outside and look at the top of the exterior unit. When you look through the grill if you see a brass pipe, you will know you have a heat pump.
The pipe is the reversing valve, which allows heat to pump back and forth in both directions. If you don’t see a pipe, it doesn’t mean you don’t have a heat pump. It might be hidden behind the access panel outside the coil. - Investigate Inside and Out: Another way you can figure out whether you have an air conditioner or heat pump is by setting your thermostat to heat. Adjust the temperature until the heat kicks on inside your home.
Once it starts, go outside and check if the outside unit is making any noise or blowing air. If you hear noises and notice air, you probably have a heat pump.
Regardless of which you own, the best way to take care of the unit in your home is by calling Estes Services for preventative maintenance. Our NATE-certified technicians will clean and inspect your cooling system and answer questions how to maintain it in between visits.
Both systems cool your home by using the refrigerant process to pull heat energy and moisture from inside air and releasing it back outside. The heat pump offers both heating and cooling for year-round comfort and provides higher efficiency when heating and cooling.
Care for Your Air Conditioner or Heat Pump with Estes Services
If you are still unsure which cooling system you have, call a professional for help. Our NATE-certified experts will tell you whether you have an air conditioner or heat pump and provide you with tips for increasing efficiency this summer. Call Estes Services for maintenance on your current cooling system or to schedule installation for a new heat pump! Financing is available.
