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Heat Pumps vs. Central AC

Published by Melanie Riggs

Central AC unit

Certain decisions for your home aren’t cut and dried. The decision about whether to invest in an air conditioning system or a heat pump is definitely one of these. Because of the mild climate in the Southside Hampton Roads area, both choices are a great option to cool your home, and the team at Mechanical Service Company wants to ensure you are fully informed about what is the right choice for your specific needs.

Heat Pumps

Benefits

The primary benefit of a heat pump is the lower operational cost. Truthfully, heat pumps and air conditioners cost about the same to run in the cooling season, but a heat pump can double as a heating system. It’s significantly cheaper to heat your home with a heat pump as compared to an air conditioner-furnace combo, and this makes it the wiser choice.

A second benefit is tied to the first, and this is the fact that a heat pump will replace both your air conditioner and your furnace, because it does the job of both heater and cooling system. As long as the climate doesn’t dip below freezing often, it allows for you to heat your home without relying on fossil fuels. This means a heat pump is a much more environmentally-friendly heating system.

Drawbacks

The main drawback of a heat pump is the cost. It typically costs more to install a heat pump than to install a traditional HVAC system. Also, if your home doesn’t need a new furnace, the cost of the heat pump will be much higher than an air conditioner alone. Another drawback is the fact that it will shut down in frigid temperatures, and so an auxiliary heating source is necessary. In those rare winters when the Virginia Beach area experiences many freezing spells, the auxiliary heating system can derail the cost savings of the energy savings.

Air Conditioners

Benefits

In Virginia Beach, a traditional air conditioner is a great choice as well, particularly if your home already has a functional and efficient furnace. They’re cheaper to install and require less maintenance than heat pumps.

Drawbacks

The main drawback is that you will still need a furnace, as an air conditioner can’t do both jobs. This, in turn, makes the total HVAC system less environmentally friendly and more costly to run.

Which Is Right for You?

When it comes to choosing a cooling system for your Virginia Beach area home, the reality is that both can serve your family well. Determine what your ultimate goal is for your cooling system, then contact the MSCO team to help you determine which one will meet your needs well. Whether you choose an air conditioner or a heat pump, you will have reliable cooling all summer long with a newly installed system.

Find Out What Our Clients Say About Us

Read Our Trusted Reviews

Technician Rick did an outstanding job of completing my annual service check, correcting minor problems and cleaning my system prior to the summer season. What impressed me most is that he took the time to point out other issues in my attic (loose fitting at the hot water heater) and even outside (water spigot leaking) and fixed both on his own since they were easy fixes. What a great service professional and so rare to find someone honest and willing to take a few extra moments to help out. Thanks for a great experience!

- Mark B.

Technician Rick did an outstanding job of completing my annual service check, correcting minor problems and cleaning my system prior to the summer season. What impressed me most is that he took the time to point out other issues in my attic (loose fitting at the hot water heater) and even outside (water spigot leaking) and fixed both on his own since they were easy.

- Mark B.

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