Air to air heat pump doesn't cool the house as much as an AC unit?

happyindebt

I am about to have an air to air heat pump installed in a room of my house, but the supplier said that in the summer it won't cool the room as much as an air conditioning unit would; in his words, the air to air heat pump will "only take the edge off" an extreme hot day, but not make the room cool.

Is that correct? I thought that air to air heat pumps were the same as AC units, with the added benefit that they can invert their mechanism to also provide hot air.
Grateful for any experience/advice. Thank you.

Ectophile

It all depends on the power of the units.  The principles of the two are exactly the same.  The only difference is that one allows you to reverse the flow of the refrigerant, and the other doesn't.

Rodders53

What make and model are you being offered and for what size room (w, d, h)?

My Fujitsu air to air heat pumps cool wonderfully when we need them to.  They also heat nicely but have been specced properly for the rooms.  NB Air to air heat pumps do output more heat kW than cooling kW for the same electrical input kW.

Get another supplier or two in to provide competitive quotes as the one you are talking to doesn't seem konwledgable enough?

aafiya

In the context of AC service, it's essential to understand the difference between air-to-air heat pumps and traditional air conditioning units, especially concerning cooling capabilities. While both systems use similar principles for cooling, they operate differently.

Your supplier's explanation is generally correct. Air-to-air heat pumps can indeed cool a room, but they may not be as effective as dedicated air conditioning units, particularly during extreme heat in the summer. Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one space to another, meaning they can remove heat from indoor air and expel it outside to cool the room. However, during scorching hot days, when outdoor temperatures soar, the heat pump's efficiency may decrease, making it challenging to achieve the desired coolness levels indoors.

Unlike conventional AC units, which use refrigerants to cool air directly, heat pumps rely on extracting heat from the air, which becomes less effective when outdoor temperatures are exceptionally high. While they can still provide some cooling, they may struggle to maintain optimal comfort levels in extremely hot conditions, as your supplier mentioned.

However, it's worth noting that modern air-to-air heat pumps often come with features like variable-speed compressors and enhanced efficiency ratings, which can improve their cooling performance to some extent. Additionally, as you mentioned, heat pumps can reverse their operation to provide heating during colder months, offering year-round comfort and energy efficiency, which traditional AC units cannot.

In summary, while air-to-air heat pumps can cool your room, they may not provide the same level of cooling as dedicated air conditioning units, particularly in extremely hot weather conditions. It's essential to consider your specific cooling needs and the climate in Dubai when deciding between an air-to-air heat pump and an AC unit for your home. Consulting with a professional AC service in Dubai can help you make an informed decision based on your requirements and budget.

doodling

Hi,

aafiya said:

In the context of AC service, it's ...

Most of that is wrong or irrelevant.  An air conditioning system is an air to air heat pump. 

It is possible that systems designed for both heating and cooling may be less effective at cooling that a system designed purely for it.  You need to read the specifications and design the system taking into account the performance you require given the temperatures you want to achieve, the size of the space you're heating /cooling and how well insulated it is.