How Do You Know If You Have a Heat Pump or an AC?

Moving into a new building comes with many challenges, including knowing which kind of heating and cooling system the property uses. Unfortunately, many property owners don’t know details about the type of HVAC system they have, even after years of consistent use. So how do you know if you have a heat pump or an air conditioning unit?

A1 Mechanical’s skilled HVAC contractors in Louisville, KY, can help you find out which system your home or business uses. Continue reading our guide for more information about distinguishing air conditioners from heat pumps.

The Difference Between Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners

Knowing the difference between air conditioning systems and heat pumps starts with understanding how each system works. These systems can both cool your home, yet they don’t have identical functions. 

An air conditioning unit only generates cool air by removing heat and excess moisture from indoor air and dispersing them outside by circulating refrigerant through its outdoor and indoor units. Since air conditioners only chill indoor air in the summer, you’d need a separate furnace or boiler to warm your property in the winter.

Heat pumps also cool indoor air the same way air conditioners do. Yet, they also generate warmth by reversing the flow of the refrigerant to remove heat from outdoor sources and bringing it inside the building. These systems also have defrost cycles to melt snow and ice on frozen coils and auxiliary heat to ensure properties stay warm if outdoor temperatures drop too far. 

Tips for Determining If Your Property Uses an Air Conditioner vs. a Heat Pump

How do you know if you have a heat pump or air conditioner? Here are several ways to tell what HVAC system is keeping your home cool and comfortable. 

Look for a Reversing Valve on the Outdoor HVAC Unit

Heat pumps and air conditioners have indoor and outdoor unit operations. The indoor air handler absorbs the heat and disperses conditioned air, while the outdoor component removes the excess heat and moisture. As such, knowing for sure if the interior and exterior components are for air conditioning or heat pump operation can be confusing. 

Still, you can check if your system is a heat pump by looking for a reversing valve on the outdoor unit. Only heat pumps have reversing valves, which are responsible for changing the flow of the refrigerant when the thermostat switches between its heating and cooling modes. 

To inspect the outdoor unit for a reversing valve, turn off the HVAC system to stop the fan inside the equipment. Look inside for a brassy component with three fittings. That’s the reversing valve for your heat pump. 

Inspect the Outdoor Unit

Air conditioners and heat pumps will look alike from the outside unless you know what to look for when inspecting your system. You can tell if your equipment includes a heat pump if the outdoor unit has a metal cabinet-like component with a fan on top. That feature is the heat pump’s compressor unit.

You can also manually check your system to see if it’s an air conditioner or heat pump. Go inside and turn your thermostat to its “Heat” setting, then return to the outdoor HVAC unit. If it turns on after adjusting the thermostat, you have a heat pump; an air conditioner wouldn’t turn on under those circumstances. 

Check Your Thermostat for an Emergency Heat Setting

You don’t have to go outside to answer, “How do you know if you have a heat pump or air conditioner?” You can simply look at your thermostat. 

Thermostats controlling air conditioners and furnaces or boilers will have a “Cool” and “Heat” setting. Yet, you might notice an “EMER” or “EM” setting in addition to the others on some thermostats, representing an emergency heat function that’s exclusive to heat pumps. 

Emergency heating is a heat pump function that allows you to switch to a secondary or auxiliary heating source. This option is necessary for heating a property in case the outdoor temperatures are too low for the heat pump to work correctly. 

Read the Labels on Your Equipment

Labels on your HVAC equipment can also indicate whether it’s a heat pump or air conditioner. Most heat pump manufacturers either have “heat pump” on their labels or a model number starting with “HP.” If you’re still unsure whether your HVAC system is a heat pump or a conventional air conditioner, write down the entire model and search it online to see which equipment is in your home or business.

Energy efficiency labels can also indicate HVAC type. For instance, a bright yellow energy efficiency sticker on the system’s outdoor unit may have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio rating, which explains the energy efficiency of air conditioners and heat pumps. Yet the latter option may also have a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor rating, which reflects the system’s ability to heat and cool a building efficiently. 

Call Your Local HVAC Contractor

Sometimes, distinguishing heat pumps from air conditioners can be tricky to handle alone. Nevertheless, you can contact an experienced HVAC company in Louisville to provide details about your system. 

A1 Mechanical and our crew of certified technicians know how to inspect HVAC equipment regardless of its type, make, or model. We can accurately identify heat pumps and air conditioners thanks to our industry expertise and years of experience. 

Let A1 Mechanical’s HVAC Experts Care for Your Heating and Cooling System

Now that you understand the answer to, “How do you know if you have a heat pump or air conditioner?” you’ll need quality HVAC services to keep your system in great condition. At A1 Mechanical in Louisville, Kentucky, our technicians undergo an extensive training and certification process to ensure they can accurately assist with any system. 

It doesn’t matter if your property has an independent air conditioner and furnace or a heat pump for heating and cooling. We’re the professionals to call if you need HVAC service. Make your appointment with us today — call (502) 708-2247 today.