Converting an Air Conditioner to a Heat Pump Can I convert my air conditioner to a heat pump? Yes you can do this if you:
I get this question a lot in my emails and wanted to address it. The time and materials it would take to change an air conditioner into a heat pump are not worth it. You would be better off having a new heat pump installed replacing the old air conditioning unit. For me, or another HVAC technician, this would be a pet project for teaching students how to braze for refrigeration and wire heat pump controls for the proper sequence of operation.
It would be a good lesson in metering devices for air conditioners and heat pumps. It would also be a good lesson in finding all the appropriate parts for the size and model number of the air conditioner equipment.
Basic Heat Pump Maintenance - A good heat pump maintenance plan will include a thorough check of the refrigeration system, the electrical system, the heat pump controls, and the air filter system of the heat pump. Heat pump maintenance is as important as maintenance on your vehicle. If we fail to take good care of our vehicle then it is more prone to breakdowns whereas if we keep it in good condition with proper maintenance it is more reliable and repairs usually cost less when repairs are needed.
Of course, if you take good care of the heat pump with regular maintenance major repairs will likely never occur and it is possible you will repair free with a good maintenance plan in place for your heat pump. Basic maintenance adds life to the equipment, keeps the equipment running longer adding to the lifespan, and during the overall life will keep the heat pump more efficient.
Heat Pump Components - Heat Pumps are similar to air conditioners with a few extra components. Components added to allow the heat pump to offer both heating and cooling. The two major differences between a heat pump and an air conditioner are the controls and the refrigeration circuit.
While there are many different types of heat pumps and air conditioners the methods and means these two types of heating and cooling systems use are basically the same. (more…)
Heat Pump Types - There are different types of heat pumps available on the market today. A heat pump is an air conditioning unit that cools when the temperature is hot and heats when it is cold. There are many different types of these heat pump systems available. There is the geothermal heat pump. It can either utilize a series of closed-loop water pipes buried in the ground or other methods of heat exchange. This process removes or absorbs heat for heating and cooling.
Air source heat pumps can be configured differently. One type of air source heating will utilize electric heating for backup heating while another may use a gas furnace for backup heating. These types of systems can also be split systems or package units and nearly all share a similar heat pump sequence of operation. A description of the various types of systems and how they work is below in this article on heat pump types. These systems utilize similar heat pump components but differ in how the heat pump works.
HVAC Tip - Air Conditioner & Heat Pump Tips: Additional Helpful Hints:
Always change your air filter on a monthly basis
Make sure all your supply vents are open and unobstructed
Keep area clean around indoor unit especially the return grills
Keep outdoor units free of leaves, grass, and debris including trash cans and/or children's toys or playthings like small plastic pools or playhouses.
Additionally your service technician will appreciate you not planting holly bushes near the outside unit
Lastly have system serviced every six months - once for heating and once for cooling before the season starts
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