First off, an AC and a heat pump are virtually the same thing.
Their only difference is that heat pumps can provide heating while air conditioners can’t.
Because AC’s can’t provide heating, you must use resistance heaters in the winter.
So, when given the option between an AC paired with resistance heaters or heat pumps, we always suggest heat pumps for Sarasota-area Florida homeowners.
Heat pumps are more energy efficient than resistance heaters. They can warm your house using half the energy a resistance heater needs. They also work best in Florida’s moderate winter temperatures.
Let’s take a closer look at how heat pumps are more efficient than resistance heaters.
Yes, a heat pump cuts electricity costs because they use less energy to produce more heat.
How?
Heat pumps move heat. Resistance heaters create heat.
And heat transfer requires less energy than heat creation.
Heat pumps are able to take a small amount of electrical energy and use it to move up to 3 times that amount of heat energy into your home. This is called being “300% efficient”.
Learn more about how a heat pump moves heat.
Resistance heaters, on the other hand, are only 100% efficient. This means 100% of the electricity they consume is converted into heat energy.
Which sounds good...but it’s not really that efficient.
Put simply:
Resistance heaters: 1 kWh energy yields 1 kWh of heat.
Heat pumps: 1 kWh of energy yields 3 kWh of heat.
So, heat pumps are much more energy efficient and provide huge savings in electricity costs compared to resistance heaters.
The cost to install a heat pump can vary depending on the size of your house, the brand of pump, the AC contractor you choose for installation, etc.
But, in general, heat pumps have higher installation costs than air conditioners.
Learn more about heat pump installation price factors and ranges.
Now that you know a heat pump is a better solution for the Florida climate, you’re probably wondering how much it would cost you to install one in your home.
Schedule a free estimate online with Cool Today to get a quote on your heat pump installation. We have locations in Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando, Dunedin and Naples.
In the meantime, check out the 4 biggest factors you should consider before buying a heat pump to get a better idea of what kinds of heat pumps are available.