Heat Pump vs Air Conditioner
Heat pumps and air conditioners share all internal components, but their mode of operation is quite different. The mode of operation for heat pumps is known as the reverse refrigeration cycle, whereas air conditioners operate on a regular vapor compression cycle.
However, there’s a host of other factors that differentiate the two.
Use
Air conditioners are mainly used for cooling purposes, and maintaining conditions of comfort during high temperatures. As for heat pumps, their main function is to keep a room heated during very low atmospheric temperature conditions. However, the key difference between their uses is that a heat pump can be used for both heating and cooling purposes, while an air conditioner is strictly used to cool; although, if you are conscious about energy consumption, then an air conditioner will do better as its more energy efficient.
The condenser’s main function in a heat pump is to generate heating for the room, and it is put inside the room to be heated. The room is kept heated when air blows over the condenser and absorbs the heat, and then flows back into the room. However, the condenser in an air conditioner is used to expel heat into the atmosphere, and it is put outside of the room to be cooled.
The cooling effect provided by air conditioners is produced by the cooling coil, which is also the evaporator. This is the main functioning component in an air conditioner, and while it is located within the room to be cooled, in a heat pump it is located outside the room to be heated, and here it is used to absorb heat from the atmosphere that is at a lower temperature.
Performance wise, the coefficient of performance of a heat pump will always be more than one, whereas that of an air conditioner can either be one or less than one depending on the atmospheric temperature and the room conditions.
Comparing general use, heat pumps are ideal for year round use in places with moderate temperatures, for instance, in Mid South United States. It can be tuned for cooling during the hot summers and re-tuned for heating during Spring and Fall. For places that are fairly hot throughout the year, like South Florida and California, heat pumps would have little use, and it is best to invest in a more energy efficient air conditioner.
Summary:
Heat pumps use a reverse refrigeration cycle, while air conditioners use the regular vapor compression cycle.
Heat pumps primarily heat rooms, while air conditioners cool rooms.
Heat pumps use the condenser to generate heat, while in an air conditioner it is used to expel heat.
The coefficient of performance is always greater than one for a heat pump, while for an air conditioner it can be one or less.