If you’re thinking about upgrading your cooling system this summer, you might be asking: AC vs. heat pump – which is better for your home? With rising energy costs and changing HVAC technology, it’s a valid question.
At Ignite Heating & Air Conditioning, we help homeowners in Edmonton, Sherwood Park, and surrounding areas find the most energy-efficient and cost-effective solution for their comfort. Let’s dive into the AC vs Heat Pump debate and help you decide what’s best.
Understanding the Basics
Traditional Air Conditioner (A/C):
An A/C unit is designed to cool your home during hot weather by removing warm air and circulating cool air. It works alongside your furnace, which handles heating in the winter. Air conditioners don’t generate cold; they remove heat. The system uses refrigerant to absorb heat from your indoor air through an evaporative coil and releases it outside via the condenser.
Heat Pump:
Think of a heat pump as an A/C that can run in reverse. It uses the same technology to cool your home in summer, but it can also heat your home in the winter. It does this by reversing the flow of refrigerant to absorb heat from outside and bring it in. With modern cold climate models, heat pumps are now viable even in Edmonton’s colder months.
AC vs Heat Pump: Efficiency & Energy Savings
Heat pumps:
They are known for their high energy efficiency, especially in temperatures between -15°C and +15°C, exactly the kind of range Edmonton and Sherwood Park experience in the shoulder seasons. Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps (CCASHPs) can even perform efficiently down to -25°C.
Air conditioners:
While efficient at cooling, it relies on a separate furnace, typically gas, for heating. This can result in higher energy use and maintenance for two separate systems.
AC vs Heat Pump: Cost Comparison
- Upfront Costs: Heat pumps typically cost more than Air Conditioners. Expect to pay $2,000–$4,000 more for the upgrade.
- Ignite Bonus: Get $300 off when you install a Napoleon air conditioner or heat pump, or save $800 when you install both a Napoleon furnace and an AC or heat pump together.
- Operational Costs: Over time, heat pumps save money by reducing natural gas use and offering year-round comfort.
If you’re replacing both your A/C and furnace, a heat pump offers superior long-term value.
Year-Round Comfort & Versatility
The biggest benefit of a heat pump? It heats AND cools your home. In the summer, it functions as a high-efficiency air conditioner. In cooler months, it can reduce your reliance on natural gas by handling mild to moderate heating demands, perfect for our Alberta shoulder seasons.
Paired with a gas furnace, this hybrid heating system offers the best of both worlds: electric efficiency and gas-powered reliability when the temperature drops below -25°C.
Edmonton HVAC Solutions: What Works Here?
In Edmonton and Sherwood Park, heat pumps are a growing solution, especially with cold-climate models now capable of high performance even during deep freezes. That said, a hybrid system is typically the best approach:
- Ideal for homeowners with or planning to install solar panels, making heat pumps a smart, future-ready choice over traditional A/C.
- A great option for those looking to reduce their reliance on natural gas and make a more environmentally friendly home upgrade.
Still Not Sure Which is Best?
While heat pumps cost more upfront, they provide energy-efficient cooling, supplemental winter heat, and access to rebates, making them a forward-thinking choice for Edmonton and Sherwood Park homeowners.
Not sure what’s right for your home? Let’s talk.
Call Ignite Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule your free consultation. Our team will assess your home, comfort needs, and energy goals to recommend the best solution for you.