Having a heat pump in your home is a great way to provide efficient heating and cooling. However, some homeowners wonder if they still need a separate air conditioner if their home has a heat pump system.
The answer depends on several factors, but in most cases, the answer is yes.
If you need a new air conditioner or a second unit installed, call HVAC 911 and speak with our affiliated HVAC contractors, who can determine what type of AC unit will best suit your needs.
Variables impacting your cooling needs
Several factors influence your home’s cooling requirements and impact whether an additional AC unit is necessary to pair with a heat pump:
- Climate – Homes in extremely hot southern climates have greater peak cooling demands, which may overtax a heat pump.
- Home size – Larger homes typically need extra cooling capacity compared to the capability of most residential heat pump systems.
- Efficiency level – Older, less efficient heat pumps may not cool adequately compared to upgrading your AC unit to a newer, high-efficiency model.
- House layout – Homes with additions or separate wings often require zone control with multiple AC units for comfort.
- Sun exposure – Homes with lots of south and west-facing windows experience greater heat gain from the sun, increasing cooling loads.
Signs you may need a separate air conditioner
Here are some signs that your heat pump system could benefit from a supplementary air conditioner:
- Your home feels uncomfortably warm during peak summer heat despite the heat pump continually running.
- Your heat pump runs all the time but has difficulty keeping your home below 75°F on hot days.
- Some rooms are too hot because of poor air distribution from a single system.
- You have high indoor humidity levels that are difficult to control with just the heat pump’s dehumidification.
- Your summer energy bills are very high from running your heat pump so much.
When a separate AC Unit is necessary
In many cases, a heat pump alone is sufficient to both heat and cool a home. However, there are a few situations when you may still need a separate air conditioner:
- Your heat pump cannot keep up with peak cooling demands on extremely hot days. Adding a supplementary AC unit will increase cooling capacity.
- You have an older heat pump that is not very efficient at cooling. Upgrading your AC unit will likely be cheaper than replacing the entire heat pump system.
- Your home layout makes a single system inadequate. Separate AC units in different zones can improve comfort.
- You require additional dehumidification that your heat pump cannot provide. A separate AC unit may be equipped with better humidity removal.
Call HVAC 911 if you think you need a new or additional air conditioner
If you believe your home’s heat pump system is not keeping your home cool enough by itself during hot weather, contact the HVAC 911 referral service and get connected to one of our local affiliated contractors who can evaluate your home’s cooling needs and determine if adding a new or separate AC unit is the right solution.
HVAC 911 is a referral service affiliated with the best local licensed, bonded and insured HVAC contractors in the area. They employ highly qualified service technicians who receive over 10,000 hours of training and undergo rigorous background checks. Call HVAC 911 today!
