Determining what heating and cooling system to use in your home isn't always as simple as picking out an AC and a furnace to install. It's important to know what systems are available in your area and how they differ from more familiar choices. Heat pumps have a lot in common with ACs, but they are very different in a couple of crucial ways. Below are some important differences to be aware of. 

What's the Difference Between an AC and a Heat Pump?

While operating in cooling mode, an AC and a heat pump function very similarly. They both pull air from inside your home, extract heat from it, and then route it back into the house at a cooler temperature. The exact technology each unit uses to extract heat varies, but the process is the same. In extreme heat, heat pumps tend to run more efficiently than an AC unit, but under normal conditions, they achieve similar energy efficiency. 

The real difference becomes obvious in cooler months. While an AC can only cool your home, a heat pump excels at both heating and cooling. 

How Does a Heat Pump Work?

The ability to offer heating and cooling in one unit is a unique trait of heat pumps and is their biggest advantage over traditional AC technology. When a heat pump switches into heating mode, it effectively reverses the process used to cool an area. The pump draws warmth from outside, uses it to heat a liquid, then sends that liquid through your home where it releases its stored heat. The unit is even able to extract heat from outside when it's cold. There are two main types of heat pumps, which draw heat from different sources: 

• Air source pumps: use the outside air as their heat source. These units work best in areas where temperatures only rarely drop below freezing.
• Geothermal pumps: use heat from the ground or from a water source. Geothermal units tend to produce heat more efficiently than air source pumps and require the installation of a ground loop.

To discuss what heating and cooling options are right for you, contact Lenox Heating & Cooling today. Serving the communities of Chillicothe and Ross County, this team of HVAC professionals has over 20 years of experience providing installations and repairs for everything from water heaters to geothermal heating systems. Contact them about their services online, and call (740) 702-2665 to schedule an appointment.