Heat Pump vs. AC

Stephen G Sheldon · 08-26-2009, 11:46 AM

Recently inspected a house that had a heat pump for one level and a conventional AC unit for the remaining two levels. Just wondering why two different systems were installed by the builder. And if so what are the advantages/disadvantages to a heat pump?

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**Jim Luttrall** · 08-26-2009, 11:57 AM

Heat pumps and Air conditioning units are nearly identical in the A/C mode, it is the heating mode that the difference comes to light.
What was the heat source in the unit with A/C only? Upstairs, summer room, etc. all plays a role.

Stephen G Sheldon · 08-26-2009, 12:26 PM

The heat pump services the top level only (about 700 s.f) and the other heat source is a gas furnace (about 2,000 s.f.)

Ted Menelly · 08-26-2009, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by Stephen G Sheldon

The heat pump services the top level only (about 700 s.f) and the other heat source is a gas furnace (about 2,000 s.f.)

Cheaper for a small heat pump system for the small second floor area. A gas fired unit would have cost a grundle. Also you need less heat on in the winter on the second floor than you do the first floor. What they should have done was zoned the first floor system they would have cut a few grand off the price and it would have been more economical to run.

Stephen G Sheldon · 08-26-2009, 02:02 PM

Thanks for the info

**John Dirks Jr** · 08-27-2009, 02:06 AM

Most of the dual zone systems I see are this way.

The heat pump units are usually physically bigger than an equal capacity AC unit. Why is that?

**Vern Heiler** · 08-27-2009, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by John Dirks Jr

Most of the dual zone systems I see are this way.

The heat pump units are usually physically bigger than an equal capacity AC unit. Why is that?

To catch more of those little BTU's floating around in the winter!

**Wayne Carlisle** · 08-27-2009, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

Cheaper for a small heat pump system for the small second floor area. A gas fired unit would have cost a grundle.

Ted....how much is a grundle?

Ted Menelly · 08-27-2009, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Wayne Carlisle

Ted....how much is a grundle?

Well....that would be a little more than a bundle

They should have zoned the unit on the first floor and saved thousands. Like I said. In the winter the heat on the second floor would hardly been on in the and to pay for another complete system for it is nuts.