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wait I didn't know I could replace my AC with a heat pump, can I replace my noisy AF condenser that's always grinding and hissing or do heat pumps make the same

wait I didn't know I could replace my AC with a heat pump, can I replace my noisy AF condenser that's always grinding and hissing or do heat pumps make the same noises

twiceaday 3y ago
No, it's actually worse. The heat pump will make that same compressor noise when cooling in the summer AND heating in the winter.
lolinder 3y ago
A heat pump is just an air conditioner that can be run in reverse. Replacing your air conditioner might help if it makes the noise because it's old and broken, but if you just really dislike the sound of an air conditioner it probably won't help much.
- modeless 3y ago
  Maybe one of the new variable speed ones would help?
- ericd 3y ago
  The variable speed inverter ones tend to be much quieter than the old single-stage ones that most people have, fwiw.
  - lolinder 3y ago
    Ah, right! I actually have a variable stage regular AC unit, so that's not a benefit unique to heat pumps, that's something you can get by replacing your AC unit in general.
SOLAR_FIELDS 3y ago
A heat pump is the same technology as what your condenser is doing, just in reverse. So you could otherwise just think of an air conditioner as one half of the heat pump in this case. So no
jlawrence6809 3y ago
A heat pump is just an AC that can move heat in either direction so you should be able to.
wtallis 3y ago
AC is just a heat pump that doesn't give you the option of running it backwards. There can be good and bad implementations of either.
- czbond 3y ago
  New to heat pumps. Can I replace sub-components of an existing AC system with a heat pump for benefits of both?
  - jvanderbot 3y ago
    You have just constructed a heat pump. Heat pumps have the benefits of both.
  - briffle 3y ago
    I'd be very interested as well. My gas furnace is only a few years old, but my AC system is probably 10 years old. If I could replace just that with a heat pump, and leave my gas furnace in place as a backup, that would be ideal.
    - nixgeek 3y ago
      You can do that. It’s very common in New England to go this way because the heat pumps generally only work down to -15F and then you need to switch to furnace for heat.
    - turtlebits 3y ago
      You can install non ducted mini splits, which is what I did. I left my oil furnace intact and added 4 high wall units (each bedroom and living room) with 2 outdoor condenser/compressors. I still use my oil furnace when it gets below 40.
  - widdakay 3y ago
    I'm surprised this isn't more common. The only difference between a heat pump and standard air conditioner is a reversing valve. These are usually $50-$100, and just require one more wire to the thermostat. In colder weather, defrost and fancier controllers are needed, but for mild climates the reversing valve is really all that is needed.

wait I didn't know I could replace my AC with a heat pump, can I replace my noisy AF condenser that's always grinding and hissing or do heat pumps make the same noises

twiceaday 3y ago

No, it's actually worse. The heat pump will make that same compressor noise when cooling in the summer AND heating in the winter.

lolinder 3y ago

A heat pump is just an air conditioner that can be run in reverse. Replacing your air conditioner might help if it makes the noise because it's old and broken, but if you just really dislike the sound of an air conditioner it probably won't help much.

modeless 3y ago
Maybe one of the new variable speed ones would help?
ericd 3y ago
The variable speed inverter ones tend to be much quieter than the old single-stage ones that most people have, fwiw.
- lolinder 3y ago
  Ah, right! I actually have a variable stage regular AC unit, so that's not a benefit unique to heat pumps, that's something you can get by replacing your AC unit in general.

SOLAR_FIELDS 3y ago

A heat pump is the same technology as what your condenser is doing, just in reverse. So you could otherwise just think of an air conditioner as one half of the heat pump in this case. So no

jlawrence6809 3y ago

A heat pump is just an AC that can move heat in either direction so you should be able to.

wtallis 3y ago

AC is just a heat pump that doesn't give you the option of running it backwards. There can be good and bad implementations of either.

czbond 3y ago
New to heat pumps. Can I replace sub-components of an existing AC system with a heat pump for benefits of both?
- jvanderbot 3y ago
  You have just constructed a heat pump. Heat pumps have the benefits of both.
- briffle 3y ago
  I'd be very interested as well. My gas furnace is only a few years old, but my AC system is probably 10 years old. If I could replace just that with a heat pump, and leave my gas furnace in place as a backup, that would be ideal.
  - nixgeek 3y ago
    You can do that. It’s very common in New England to go this way because the heat pumps generally only work down to -15F and then you need to switch to furnace for heat.
  - turtlebits 3y ago
    You can install non ducted mini splits, which is what I did. I left my oil furnace intact and added 4 high wall units (each bedroom and living room) with 2 outdoor condenser/compressors. I still use my oil furnace when it gets below 40.
- widdakay 3y ago
  I'm surprised this isn't more common. The only difference between a heat pump and standard air conditioner is a reversing valve. These are usually $50-$100, and just require one more wire to the thermostat. In colder weather, defrost and fancier controllers are needed, but for mild climates the reversing valve is really all that is needed.