Quote:
Originally Posted by tuccillo
The difference between an "air conditioner" and a "heat pump" is essentially a reversing valve and circuitry for defrost mode. The difference in cost between using "heat strips" and the "heat mode" of a heat pump is approximately 3x. In other words, a heat pump will generate the same amount of heat as heat strips for 1/3 the cost. The incremental cost to install an air conditioner vs. a heat pump is minimal since most of the equipment is the same. I have not experienced repair of maintenance issues with the heat pumps I have owned. Your HVAC contractor should be able to tell you the cost difference and with some minimal research you should be able to determine whether a heat pump is cost effective based on the lower operating cost during heating season (compared with using heating strips).
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1. The instructor was simply telling the class that over the life of the equipment the service technicians would enjoy a greater revenue stream from the maintenance and repair of heat pumps than from conventional air conditioners with heat strips.
2. The A/C unit in my house in Tampa will accept 5 heat strips, but only has 3 installed because the winters are so mild that 3 is sufficient to warm the house. This IS Florida.
And the absence of the "reversing valve and circuitry" means one less thing to go wrong.
By the way, heat pumps have heat strips for conditions where it is so cold outside that the heat exchanger won't work and heat strips are necessary to warm the house. That is what that "emergency" setting on the thermostat is for.
I wasn't offering advice. Just giving information. It works for me.