How can you find out if you have a heat pump or an air conditioner (AC)? While this sounds like a straightforward question, there are a lot of commonalities between both types of units. Both rely on refrigerant to transfer heat, and they are both capable of cooling your home in the summertime.
But how do they differ and how can you tell if you have heat pump or ac?
Key Takeaways
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Heat pumps can heat and cool; AC units only cool.
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Look for “EM” or “Emergency Heat” on your thermostat — only heat pumps have it.
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If the outdoor unit runs in heat mode, it’s a heat pump.
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Heat pumps have a reversing valve; ACs don’t.
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Check the label — “HP” or HSPF rating means it’s a heat pump.
What Is a Heat Pump?
This HVAC device is made to transfer heat from inside your home to the outdoors during the summertime. In the winter, the refrigerant lines switch direction and bring the outside heat into the interior of your home. These units consume significantly less energy than an air conditioner, allowing you to save money each month. Plus, they produce less carbon dioxide than central air conditioners.
To operate, the refrigerant lines circulate refrigerant between your indoor air handler and compressor unit. This allows the unit to absorb all of the extra heat in the water, air, or soil around it.
There are four main types to look out for.
- Geothermal pumps: These absorb heat from layers of earth. No matter what time of year it is, the ground remains relatively warm. Because of this, a geothermal pump can be used to heat and cool your home.
- Water-source pumps: A water-source pump uses water from a pond or well to transfer heat.
- Air-to-air pumps: These pumps blow air over refrigerant tubes to warm up the refrigerant. This turns the refrigerant into a gas that can be compressed by your compressor, which warms up the refrigerant more. Then, this refrigerant can be piped into your home in the winter. In the summer, the refrigerant transfers heat in the opposite direction.
- Hybrid pumps: This kind of HVAC system uses one of the previous energy sources and an extra method, like a boiler. This alternative provides a backup way to heat your home, so you don’t have to worry about your HVAC equipment breaking down in cold temperatures.
How to Tell If I Have a Heat Pump
You may have this type of HVAC system installed in your home if any of the following situations are true. Additionally, pay attention to how many HVAC units you have.
AC units cannot heat your home, so you would also require some type of heater if you have an air conditioning unit installed.
However, heat pumps sometimes have backup heat sources, so you may possess two devices anyway. Because of this, counting the number of HVAC units is only a guaranteed method if you have a single HVAC device installed.
Look for the Emergency Heat (EM) Setting on Your Thermostat
If you have an emergency heat setting on your thermostat, then you don’t have a central air conditioner. Heat pumps have an emergency heat setting so that you can switch to a backup heat source if there is a malfunction with your normal system.
To find out if you have this setting, look at your thermostat for an emergency button. It may also be labeled EM or EMER. Digital thermostats will likely have these abbreviations on the actual screen.
Turn on the Heat Before Checking the Outdoor Unit
If you didn’t see an emergency button, try switching your thermostat to its heat mode. If the outdoor unit kicks on, then you have a heat pump. These pumps rely on an outdoor unit to transfer heat from one area to another. Because of this, the unit will switch on as soon as you turn your thermostat to the heat mode.
Check the Labels on the Outdoor Unit
If you are still uncertain about what type of HVAC equipment you have, you can always check the label. The outdoor unit will have an EnergyGuide label or a manufacturer label. The manufacturer label will include the unit’s specifications. If you have a pump, it will have an HP next to the model number. Alternatively, it may specifically say what type of device it is.
You can also see if your unit has an EnergyGuide label on it. If it is a pump, it will have one number that represents its energy efficiency. Another number will represent the unit’s Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF). These numbers are used to demonstrate how efficient an HVAC unit is at heating and cooling. Because air conditioners don’t heat your home, they would only have one number.
When in doubt, just write down the model number that you see. Then, try searching for that model number online to figure out what type of HVAC unit it is.
Look for a Reversing Valve Inside the Outdoor Unit
The last method to determine your unit type is to look for a reversing valve because AC units do not have them. ACs only have refrigerant flowing in one direction, so they don’t need a reversing valve to switch the direction of the flow.
To look for a reversing valve, wait until your fan is no longer spinning in the outdoor unit. Then, look inside. Reversing valves will have three fittings on one side. They will also be made of brass. If you don’t see this valve, then you have an air conditioner.
Get Help From Service Minds One Hour Clearwater
No matter what type of HVAC unit you have, routine maintenance is key for keeping your equipment in working order. With air conditioner and heat pump maintenance, you can increase your system’s longevity and avoid costly replacements.
If you aren’t sure what type of unit you have or how to care for it, we can help. For more information, reach out to our team of HVAC technicians today.