Buyer's Guide to Heat Pump Replacement

It’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed with a heat pump replacement task. At AC Southeast®, we work with HVAC contractors throughout the southeastern U.S. and are here to help you sort through the information available.   After you read this blog, use our search tool to locate a qualified local HVAC contractor to help you with your heat pump replacement or installation.

A Heat Pump is One of Three Types

Air Source

The most common, an “air source” heat pump extracts heat from the air outdoors and brings it inside to heat your home in the winter. In the summer, it extracts heat from the air indoors and exhausts it outside, to cool your home. It also removes humidity from your air in the summer to reduce the indoor temperature.  

Split Ductless

A ductless heat pump, also known as a mini-split, uses a small indoor unit connected to a larger compressor unit outdoors. These units are mounted on the ceiling or wall and are independent of any existing ductwork.   The lack of ductwork makes them ideal for renovated or newly-finished spaces. They also work well for older homes or buildings with complicated architecture. Ductless heat pumps address uneven temperatures with a boost of heating and cooling as needed.   They also open up zone heating and cooling options for households with diverse temperature preferences. They work just like the air source heat pumps except the larger condensing unit, the “loud” one, is outdoors.   It’s possible to attach multiple indoor units to a single outdoor compressor. A small, three-inch hole to connect electrical and refrigerant lines is the only opening required. This alleviates many security concerns consumers have had with window units in the past.  

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Geothermal, or “ground source” heat pumps also transfer heat from one source to another. In the case of geothermal, it’s not from the outdoor air. The source is the ground, or in some cases, water, such as a pond or well on the property.   These require some digging to bury the ground loops. A large plot of land isn’t absolutely necessary, however. Some ground loops can be dug horizontally while others are more vertical, such as in smaller, city lots.   If you’re interested, don’t rule it out based on your property. It’s best to get a professional opinion. Geothermal is better for the earth and the equipment has an incredible lifespan.   Indoor units last approximately 25 years and the loops around 50 years. Installation is higher than a traditional system but incentives are often available, which bring down the cost. Energy savings frequently make up for the initial expense.  

How to Choose the Best Heat Pump for You

Use AC Southeast® to search for a local HVAC contractor. Any of them will happily visit your home to take the necessary measurements and assess your property to provide the most appropriate equipment recommendation.   It’s important the equipment, regardless of whether it’s a heat pump, air conditioner or furnace, the unit is the correct size for your home or business.   If not, your equipment could short cycle, cost you more in utilities and wear out early. A heat pump is a great choice for most homes and businesses in the southeastern United States, due to the mild winters.  

Find Heat Pump Experts through AC Southeast®

When it comes time to replace your heat pump, AC Southeast® matches you with local certified HVAC professionals.   We only work with trained and certified professionals who provide outstanding customer service. When you choose AC Southeast®, you are guaranteed a certified, trained professional to assist your HVAC needs.