Thinking about installing a new cooling system? Whether you’re replacing a dying central air conditioner, upgrading from window units, or installing air conditioning for the first time, you have two main options: a traditional central air conditioner or a heat pump. Both have their benefits, so how do you know which is the best choice?
At New England Smart Energy Group, we’ve been helping Connecticut homeowners choose the right HVAC upgrades for their homes since 2009.
Here’s a quick, clear breakdown to help you decide.
What’s the Difference Between a Heat Pump and Central Air?
At first glance, heat pumps and central air conditioners seem similar. But there’s one major difference: heat pumps can heat and cool your home. When you install a heat pump, you’re getting double the benefits from a single HVAC upgrade.
How Central Air Conditioning Works
A central AC cools your home by removing warm air and venting it outside, using a refrigeration cycle. The cool air is distributed through a system of central air ducts. It can only provide cooling and needs to be paired with a furnace or boiler for heat during the winter.
How a Heat Pump Works
A heat pump works almost exactly the same way an air conditioner does, except that it can reverse the process. In the summer, it pumps heat out of your home. In the winter, it pulls heat from the air outside, warms it further using a refrigerant cycle, and brings it into your home.
There are two types of heat pumps: ducted and ductless. Ducted heat pumps deliver heated and cooled air to your living spaces using a central air duct system, the same way a central AC does. Ductless heat pumps deliver heated or cooled air directly into the room they’re installed in, no air ducts needed.
Pros & Cons of Heat Pumps vs Air Conditioners
Energy Efficiency
Modern heat pumps are extremely energy efficient. If you’re replacing an old, outdated AC or window air conditioners, you will see a major energy efficiency improvement by installing a heat pump, which could lead to lower summer energy bills.
Rebates & Incentives
Heat pumps and energy efficient air conditioners can both qualify for incentives and financing opportunities, but you’ll save a lot more if you install a heat pump.
Rebates
All Connecticut homeowners can receive rebates through Energize Connecticut™ for heat pump installations. Standard “market rate” rebates typically range from $1,000–$2,000, while income-eligible homeowners may qualify for no-cost heat pump installation statewide.
If you live in New Haven, additional rebates are available through a city grant. Even if you don’t qualify as income-eligible under EnergizeCT, you might still meet the city’s lower income threshold, and stacking both incentives could fully cover your heat pump installation, potentially worth up to $35,000. The grant can also cover related upgrades like electrical work to get your home heat pump-ready.
Tax Credits
Heat pumps are also eligible for a federal tax credit worth up to $2,000. Energy efficient central air conditioners qualify for a much lower, $600 tax credit. Both of these tax credits will expire at the end of 2025—schedule your AC replacement soon to claim them before they’re gone.
Heating & Cooling vs Cooling Only
A central AC will cool your home effectively in the summer, but that’s all it can do. A heat pump, on the other hand, is a two-in-one system that provides both AC and heating. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, a heat pump is the better option.
Installation Considerations
Central air conditioners and ducted heat pumps both connect to air ducts. If your house already has air ducts that are in good shape, you shouldn’t have a problem installing either one.
If you don’t have air ducts, it will be easier and likely more affordable to install a ductless heat pump. Ductless systems are great for older houses without air ducts, houses with baseboard heating, and rooms your ducts don’t reach, like a new addition or a finished basement.
So… Which Is Right for You?
Every house is different, but for most, the benefits of a heat pump outweigh the benefits of a central air conditioning system. You get more from your investment thanks to its heating and cooling capabilities. Plus, you’ll qualify for rebates and incentives that can bring down the cost significantly.
At New England Smart Energy Group, we’re committed to helping you make the best choice for your home and budget. If you’re not sure which type of cooling system is the right fit, we recommend an energy assessment. As part of your assessment, we’ll receive your current cooling system, provide personalized recommendations for its replacement, and walk you through the rebates you qualify for.
