Here in the Philippines, having a cooling system is no longer a luxury but a necessity. However, purchasing an HVAC equipment is a large investment. For that reason, it is important that you choose the kind of cooling system that fits your needs but is also cost-effective. 

Since we are living in a tropical country, we need a cooling system more than a heating system. Air conditioners and heat pumps are the top choices.

But which one is best for your building? Let’s find out. 

To start, let’s look first at the similarities between the two. Both equipment have more or less the same components and use thermal energy to transfer heat from one place to another. Also, both systems are motorized by outdoor units. 

The major difference between the two is the function. Air conditioners absorb heat from the air that passes over the coil which results to cool air. Heat pumps work the same way and in reverse. Meaning, heat pumps can be used for both cooling and heating. 

One of the advantages of heat pumps is that it is useful all year round especially for places that have four seasons. It is environmentally friendly because it does not consume fossil fuels to produce heat. Moreover, you’ll have to worry less for your energy bill because it uses less energy compared to air conditioners. 

The upfront cost is high – this includes purchasing and installation. Also, during extremely cold weather, heat pumps can get coated with ice. Some units have  a “defrost mode” but if there’s an extended period of winter or a big storm, it might not be enough. Moreover, heat pumps cannot make their own heat, so if the surrounding is cold, it cannot produce enough heat for your building. 

Air conditioning is a lot less expensive compared to heat pumps. Also, since we are living in a tropical country, we need cool air more than hot air. 

However, air conditioning uses a lot of energy compared to heat pumps. Good thing technology is constantly improving and there are air conditioning equipment that makes you save energy like inverter types. 

When you are ready for an HVAC installation, don’t forget to ask advice from your equipment provider. Their expertise will help you decide what to buy. Remember, you’ll live with your choice for years to come, so make sure that you choose the best HVAC equipment that will suit your needs.