Heat pump or air conditioner? If you are in the process of searching for the perfect air conditioning system for your home, it is very likely that you have wondered if they are the same thing or if, on the contrary, they have characteristics that make them different.
Misinterpreting any of these terms is more common than you might think. However, although their characteristics are so similar, it is possible to establish a dividing line between the functions of one and the other.
In order to choose which of these components is ideal for the office, the main room of your home, the living room or a small condominium, it is mandatory to establish a list of priorities.
How to choose the perfect heating system?
Comparing heat pumps with other heating systems, such as air conditioning, is a common practice. In fact, it is a good way to determine which option is of most benefit, depending on each customer’s particular needs.
A detailed study of their characteristics will also allow you to establish a cost/benefit comparison, not only at a monetary level, but also in the quality/efficiency sense.
If you are thinking of changing the way you air condition your home, are in the process of building a house or need ventilation accessories, Climatisation Plus is the right place for you.
If you also want to have a complete parameter of the characteristics and differences of the devices mentioned at the beginning, continue reading this article.
Difference between air conditioning and heat pump
In appearance, both the operation of the air conditioner and the heat pump are quite similar. Both work with a compressed refrigerant, which allows air to be transported from the inside to the outside.
Moreover, when you simply compare these devices on an aesthetic level, you will soon realize that it is very difficult to establish a difference between them.
Some claim that it is their ability to energy level and develop each of these cooling processes, which distinguishes them. That is to say that the difference of the two would fall on the power of each device. Apart from that, the processes in general would be difficult to differentiate for a person who does not have specialized knowledge.
The air conditioner extracts thermal energy from your home, office or apartment and expels it to the outside of the house to cool it. The heat pump is reversible, which will allow you to have a dual functionality that we will see later.
A system of this type can last in perfect condition for up to ten years. Of course, to make this possible, always try to follow the practical advice of your locality.
Central air conditioning vs. heat pump
However, there are several mechanisms to make this possible. Although both systems work thanks to a compression cycle, heat pumps collect energy from the air even in extreme climates, to transform it into heat.
Originally, air conditioning systems were designed only to “cool” inside a room. However, nowadays there is the possibility of incorporating a heat pump, which allows the temperature to be adjusted according to the requirements of each season of the year.
How efficient are heat pumps?
The efficiency of both systems is comparable. However, heat pumps show a relatively significant drop in efficiency when temperatures fall below freezing.
However, this is a solvable issue. Many of these systems are supported by a parallel mechanism that allows them to operate normally, even in extreme climates. This is to make up for any possible energy shortages.
In order to establish a real comparison between the efficiency of the heat pump vs. the temperature and conditions generated around it, remember to request the support of a team of experts.
Efficiency in air conditioning pumps.
It is important to recognize that, to ensure the effectiveness of any of these systems, should be analyzed in depth all the accessories that come together for the proper functioning of each of them.
Air conditioning pump
When it comes to air-conditioning products, a new accessory is the air-conditioning pump. Since the old air conditioning systems transported the water resulting from condensation processes through pipes, it was much more frequent that this part of the system was affected. When the container used to collect the water was filled, it had to be disposed of manually.
This does not happen with air conditioning pumps. It is an accessory for air conditioning that in addition to having a simple installation, will allow you to collect water automatically. The container intended for this purpose is able to detect when it has exceeded the limits and consequently, dispose of them through a drain.
Evaporator vs Condenser
In air conditioning systems, these two elements constitute the mechanism of air exchange between the inside and the outside. Through the thermodynamic processes that originate from the process, it is possible to transport thermal energy from one space to another.
Evaporator
The energy absorption process causes the refrigerant to cool the rooms through evaporation. Its main functions: to maintain a constant and efficient flow, and to control the refrigerant pressure levels of the devices.
Condenser
The gaseous state of the refrigerant becomes a liquid and thus, the resultant of the evaporation process is released to the environment. However, the resulting liquid is known as saturated liquid. This means that it is able to remain in the same liquid state until a new cycle is started.
Air conditioning with reversible heat pump
It is one of the most efficient models of air conditioning, mainly because of its ability to deliver more energy than it consumes. It takes energy from the environment, which to some extent makes it a sustainable device, apart from the fact that the reduction of toxic gas emissions into the atmosphere is evidently lower than other systems.
You can save a large percentage of your annual energy consumption with a device like this. This makes it a favorable and efficient system.
This ability to generate both heat and cold is achieved through the installation of a reverse cycle valve system. That is, to generate cold, the indoor unit should trap the heat to expel it to the outside. To obtain heat inside, it would only be necessary to reverse the process.
Expert advice
Choosing the right device will always be a challenge, especially when we do not have the necessary technical knowledge, to do it on our own. To learn more about the most suitable air conditioning system for your needs, please contact us by phone or email.
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We are Climatisation Plus, experts in heat pumps and air conditioning.
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