You might know that an air conditioner and a heat pump are similar. But they can’t be exactly the same, can they? What does that mean for their care? Do they require the same maintenance? Do heat pumps and air conditioners show the same signs of problems? Do they need the same repairs? Mostly, yes, but there are some details to be aware of.
Heat Pump and AC Similarities
Both an air conditioner and a heat pump have an outdoor unit that houses the compressor. This is the most critical (and most expensive!) component of the system, and it pressurizes the refrigerant. Under pressure, that refrigerant flows through coils into the house, through the indoor unit, and back outside in a continuous loop.
Neither a heat pump nor an air conditioner actually creates or generates hot or cold air. They simply move heat from one place to another, soaking it up with the refrigerant in one area and allowing it to be released in another. The use of a fan and a motor keeps the air of your target temperature evenly distributed through your ducts and vents, and thus throughout your home.
Alternatively, both heat pumps and air conditioners are compatible with ductless systems. If you don’t have ductwork in your home, or it’s in poor condition, you might choose a ductless system. Also known as a mini split, this system has one outdoor unit, but the refrigerant lines split. They travel to several individual indoor units or air handlers throughout the home.
Heat Pump and AC Differences
The one critical thing that separates a heat pump from an air conditioner is the component called the reversing valve. This is how a heat pump can switch between modes, offering both heating and cooling for your home. The reversing valve changes the direction that the refrigerant flows, allowing it to either carry heat out of your home, like an air conditioner, or carry it in, working as a heater.
Heat Pump and AC Repair Needs
Both of these systems require repair when you notice they are behaving oddly. If you hear an unfamiliar sound (banging, rattling, hissing, bubbling, grinding, clicking, etc.) or you smell a strange odor (burning, chemicals, mildew, vinegar, etc.) you should have a professional take a look at the system right away. Unsatisfactory performance or rising electric bills are other warning signs.
Heat Pump and AC Maintenance
While an air conditioner mostly runs during the summer, and is granted some months of rest each year, a heat pump runs all year long. This means that an air conditioner needs annual maintenance, generally in the spring, and a heat pump needs maintenance twice a year, generally in the spring and fall.
Special Heat Pump Repairs
The one thing that can happen with a heat pump that can’t occur when you have an air conditioner is a problem with the reversing valve. This component relies on accurate signals from the thermostat, a solid electrical connection, and a solenoid (a type of electromagnet) to trigger the reversing of the refrigerant flow. If your heat pump is stuck in one mode and won’t switch between the two, you need heat pump repair in Tucson, AZ.
Contact Picture Rocks Cooling, Heating & Plumbing today with any questions or to schedule an appointment with our professionals.