About central air conditioner?

Question

I have 30 year old central air conditioning unit. I want to or I will have to replace it pretty soon.

Mine has furnace.

Now I'm thinking about heat pump unit instead air conditioner. I read the article about heat pump and I felt it is just good for me.

Since I have never used it, I need the opinion from the other people who actually used it.

I live in southern california and the temperature in my area never or seldom drop below 40.

Heat pump is good choice? I need your advice.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Yes, it is likely the cheapest form of heat if the temperature doesn't fall below 40 much or at all. Around 45 degrees heat pumps have a hard time heating and use electric heat but if that is rare then it is great to go with just a heat pump.

Up here in Washington I tell people to keep the furnace as a backup instead of the electric strip heat that comes with the heat pump air handler because we do far more heating here.

Answer 2

It is very important that a Manual J load calculation be performed along with Manual S and Manual D guidelines be followed. What works for your 30 year old unit may not work for a new unit.

I would recommend staying with a gas furnace for back-up heat to keep installation costs down. Your home may not have enough power fed to it if you switch to electric back-up heat. You may need to have your electrical service rebuilt if you go with the electric furnace.

Make sure you find a contractor that will perform the calculations listed above and also calculate your thermal and economic balance points to determine what temperature to switch your heat source from the heat pump to the back-up heat source. Mearly throwing out a number because it works ok is an incorrect method. You are considering a heat pump to save you money. Get it done right.

Answer 3

Heat pumps do very well in Southern California. The only things you really need to weigh are 1. The initial installation cost, and 2. The price difference in paying for the electric to run the heat pump, or the gas to run the furnace. That just requires a little homework. Either way, you'll get a very efficient unit compared to your 30 year old antique. P.S. check with the Gas & Electric companies in your area for possible rebates. That might also factor in to your decision. Good luck.