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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFor cooling alone, neither technology always wins. Compare the equipment’s SEER2 rating, capacity, climate and installation quality. A heat pump with a SEER2 rating similar to a central air conditioner should use roughly comparable electricity for the same cooling load. Its larger energy advantage appears when it also replaces electric-resistance heating, because one electrically driven system provides both heating and cooling. A fair annual comparison must keep heating energy, backup heat, local rates and operating hours separate from summer cooling.
What “uses less energy” should mean
There are two different questions hidden in this comparison:
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- Cooling efficiency: How many watt-hours does the system use to deliver a season of cooling? Use SEER2 and compare similarly sized equipment under the same climate assumptions.
- Whole-house energy: How much electricity and fuel does the home use for both heating and cooling over a year? A heat pump can reduce this total when it replaces electric-resistance heat, but its heating consumption must not be counted as if it were air-conditioning energy.
A traditional central air conditioner only moves heat out of the house. It needs a separate furnace, boiler or electric heater for winter. An air-source heat pump reverses its refrigeration cycle: it removes heat indoors in summer and extracts heat from outdoor air in winter. Because the outdoor temperature, heating load and backup-heat controls differ by location, the lowest summer kWh system is not automatically the lowest annual-energy system.
SEER2 and HSPF2: the ratings that answer the question
SEER2 measures cooling
The U.S. Department of Energy defines SEER2 as seasonal cooling output, in British thermal units, divided by electricity consumed, in watt-hours, under the updated test procedure. A higher SEER2 indicates less electricity for a standardized cooling season, all else equal. Compare a heat pump’s cooling SEER2 with the SEER2 of an air conditioner that has the same capacity and is evaluated for the same climate assumptions.
#1 Best Overall
- Multi-Season Comfort – This Midea 12000 BTU air conditioner is more versatile than standard AC units, offering powerful cooling and dehumidification in the summer and reliable supplemental heat in the fall. Best for large rooms up to 550 square feet. Note: Heat pump function will not operate if outside temperature is below 41°F.
- Easy To Use – This air conditioner and heat unit is well-equipped with a digital LED display, 5 Modes, 3 speed settings, 24-hr Timer, and ECO energy saver. The Swing button adjusts the louvers up/down to direct the airflow. Wireless enabled, control your comfort from your smartphone and your smartwatch using the Midea SmartHome app or your voice via Alexa and Google Assistant. All functions can be set via the control panel, remote control, and app or voice assistant.
- Save on Energy Without Sacrificing Comfort – This UL Listed, Energy Star certified air conditioner uses inverter technology to quickly cool your bedroom or apartment while providing up to 35% energy savings compared to the Energy Conservation Standard. With 12,000 BTUs, a CEER of 13.3, and 115V operation, this ac unit is loaded with features like auto shutoff, defrost control, and a washable front filter to maintain peak performance.
- Ultra Low Noise Performance – This ac window unit operates at a noise level as low as 45 dBA. It’s such a quiet air conditioner that you will barely notice it, even when it’s on high. Enjoy your Zoom call, watch your favorite TV show, have a conversation. This ac unit for bedroom also creates just the right amount of white noise so you can get some rest.
- Install Specs – This window air conditioner is designed to fit double hung windows with opening widths of 24 to 38.5 inches. Lower sash must open sufficiently to allow a clear vertical opening of 14.5 inches. AC window unit measures 19.41"W x 22.17"D x 13.9"H. Included components: 12000 btu window air conditioner, remote control, installation kit. This ac heater combo window unit is as a close as you can get to a mini split a/c. You may like it so much you just might buy two!
The rating is seasonal, not a promise that the unit will draw a fixed number of watts every hour. Real consumption changes with outdoor temperature, indoor humidity, thermostat settings, airflow, duct losses, cycling and maintenance. A 24-SEER2 heat pump and a 23.5-SEER2 air conditioner are therefore close on the cooling metric; the small rating difference should not be treated as a guaranteed bill reduction.
HSPF2 measures heat-pump heating
HSPF2 is the corresponding seasonal rating for heat-pump heating. It belongs in an annual comparison because a heat pump uses electricity in winter as well as summer. Ask whether the quoted HSPF2 includes the type of operation expected at your design temperature and whether resistance or another backup heater will run during colder periods.
Current residential central air conditioners and heat pumps must meet federal energy-conservation standards, and manufacturers use the SEER2/HSPF2 test procedures under the updated federal nomenclature. Older listings may show SEER or HSPF rather than the current “2” ratings; do not mix the two test methods as though the numbers were directly interchangeable.
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The Department of Energy Federal Energy Management Program publishes regional examples using December 2024 efficiency levels. The heat-pump figures below include both heating and cooling; the conventional-air-conditioner figures include cooling only. They are useful for showing how climate and equipment tiers change energy use, but they are not an apples-to-apples cooling-only contest.
| Region and equipment tier | Equipment rating | Modeled annual electricity | Cost at 11¢/kWh | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast, best-available heat pump | SEER2/HSPF2 24/11 | 7,683 kWh | $845.13 | Heating and cooling |
| Southeast, ENERGY STAR heat-pump tier | SEER2/HSPF2 15.2/7.8 | 11,660 kWh | $1,282.60 | Heating and cooling |
| Southeast, best-available central AC | SEER2 23.5 | 5,222 kWh | $574.42 | Cooling only |
| Southeast, ENERGY STAR central-AC tier | SEER2 15.2 | 8,074 kWh | $888.14 | Cooling only |
| Southwest, best-available heat pump | Rating not stated in the example | 7,029 kWh | $773.19 | Heating and cooling |
| Southwest, best-available central AC | Rating not stated in the example | 2,450 kWh | $269.50 | Cooling only |
| Northern, best-available heat pump | Rating not stated in the example | 7,394 kWh | $813.34 | Heating and cooling |
| Northern, best-available central AC | Rating not stated in the example | 2,612 kWh | $287.32 | Cooling only |
DOE’s modeled electricity price is 11¢/kWh, the average federal-facility price assumption as of July 2024. The calculations above multiply each published kWh figure by that assumption; your tariff, demand charges and seasonal rates may be very different. The tables also assume modeled run hours, a 15-year heat-pump life and an air-conditioner life of 18, 24 or 25 years depending on region.
For example, the Southeast best-available heat pump’s 7,683 kWh cannot be declared “less efficient” than the 5,222 kWh air conditioner simply because the number is larger: the heat-pump total includes winter heating while the AC number does not. To compare cooling, use the two SEER2 ratings. To compare household energy, add the energy that the alternative heating system would have used and include its fuel price.
Rank #2
- Multi-Season Comfort - Midea 8000 BTU window air conditioner with heat is better than standard ac units. It will beat the heat in summer with powerful cooling and dehumidification and keep you warm through the fall with supplemental heat. Best for large rooms up to 350 square feet. NOTE: heat pump function works when outside temp> 41°F.
- Easy To Use – This air conditioner and heat unit comes with an LED display, 5 Modes (Heat, Auto, Cool, Dry, Fan), 3 speed settings (Auto/H/M/L), 24-hr Timer, and ECO energy saver. The Swing button adjusts the louvers up/down to direct the airflow. Wireless control enabled window ac with heat unit from anywhere with the SmartHome App, or with your voice via Alexa and Google Assistant. All functions can be set via the control panel, remote control, and app or voice assistant.
- Save Energy Being Cool – Save on energy costs and enjoy ultimate comfort with this energy star certified unit. This energy efficient air conditioner unit is engineered with variable-speed inverter technology that will quickly cool your bedroom or apartment space while using considerably less electricity; up to 35% energy savings compared to the Energy Conservation Standard. Washable filter is easily accessed from front panel for regular cleaning to maintain peak performance.
- Ultra Low Noise Performance – This ac window unit operates at a noise level as low as 45 dBA. It’s such a quiet air conditioner that you will barely notice it, even when it’s on high. Enjoy your Zoom call, watch your favorite TV show, have a conversation. This ac unit for bedroom also creates just the right amount of white noise so you can get some rest.
- Install Specs – This window air conditioner is designed to fit double hung windows with opening widths of 24 to 38.5 inches. Lower sash must open sufficiently to allow a clear vertical opening of 14.5 inches. AC window unit measures 19.41"W x 22.17"D x 13.9"H. Included components: 8000 btu window air conditioner, remote control, installation kit. This ac heater combo window unit is as a close as you can get to a mini split a/c. You may like it so much you just might buy two!
How climate changes the result
Hot-humid Southeast
Cooling and dehumidification run for many hours, while winters may still require substantial heating. A high-SEER2 heat pump can provide efficient cooling and replace electric-resistance heat, but a separate high-efficiency air conditioner may show fewer annual kWh because its published total covers cooling only. Evaluate the existing heating system before choosing based on a single annual number. In humid weather, correct sizing and airflow matter particularly because a unit that satisfies the thermostat too quickly may remove less moisture, even if its nameplate rating is high.
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Long cooling seasons and intense heat make cooling efficiency and duct performance important. DOE’s best-available examples show 7,029 kWh for a heat pump’s combined heating and cooling versus 2,450 kWh for a best-available AC’s cooling-only case. The gap is not a cooling penalty; it reflects the extra heat-pump service. Compare SEER2, expected run hours and the heating system that would otherwise operate. Duct leakage in an attic or other unconditioned space can erase much of the modeled advantage, so include duct sealing and insulation in the project scope.
Northern climates
Winter operation dominates annual energy for many homes. DOE’s Northern examples list 7,394 kWh for a best-available heat pump with heating and cooling and 2,612 kWh for a best-available AC with cooling only. A heat pump must be selected for the local design temperature, not merely for its summer SEER2. In colder conditions, controls may switch to electric-resistance backup, which can raise electricity use sharply; ask the installer to document when that switch is expected.
DOE summarizes the reason this matters: “Local climate conditions particularly affect air-source heat pumps because the units use outdoor air as both a heat source and heat sink.” A cold-climate-rated model, adequate capacity at low outdoor temperatures and a carefully configured backup strategy are essential where freezing weather is routine. Ask for capacity and efficiency data at the outdoor temperatures used in your local design calculation, rather than relying only on a mild-weather rating.
Do heat pumps use more electricity in summer?
Not inherently. In cooling mode, a heat pump is an air conditioner with a reversing valve and heating controls. If two systems have the same capacity, comparable SEER2 ratings, equivalent airflow and equally sound installation, their summer electricity use should be similar. A heat pump may use more or less than a particular AC because its SEER2 is higher or lower, because the indoor and outdoor coils are mismatched, or because duct leakage and refrigerant problems waste energy.
Do not compare a heat pump’s combined annual kWh with an AC’s cooling-only kWh to answer a summer question. Request the manufacturer’s cooling performance data or use the SEER2 ratings and a load-based estimate for your home. Also check whether a variable-speed system’s quoted rating comes from a complete matched combination; mixing components can produce a lower field rating than the headline number suggests.
Rank #3
- Powerful Heating & Cooling – 14,500/14,700 BTU cooling, 13,200/13,500 BTU heat pump, plus 3.5 kW electric. Includes 20-amp power cord.
- Efficient & Eco-Friendly – 11.4 EER with R32 refrigerant, up to 12% more efficient than R410A and lower Global Warming Potential (GWP).
- User-Friendly Features – 3 fan speeds, fan-only mode, °F/°C temperature display, wired thermostat compatibility, and Automatic Emergency Heat for reliable backup.
- Durable & Low Maintenance – Washable front-access filters, evaporator freeze protection, and condensate dispersion system for long-lasting performance.
- Easy Installation – Fits standard 42" PTAC sleeve (sleeve & rear grille sold separately). Front panel secures with concealed screw to prevent tampering.
Installation quality can outweigh the name on the equipment
DOE warns that oversizing, incorrect refrigerant charge and leaky ducts cause efficiency losses, comfort problems and shortened equipment life. A premium rating cannot compensate for a system that is too large, poorly commissioned or connected to damaged ducts.
Requirements to put in the contract
- Load calculation: Require a room-by-room heating and cooling load calculation rather than choosing capacity from the old unit’s nameplate.
- Correct sizing: Match the indoor coil, outdoor unit, blower and controls as an approved system. Oversizing can increase cycling and humidity problems.
- Refrigerant verification: Have the installer measure and document the charge and operating conditions after commissioning.
- Duct work: Seal leaks, insulate ducts in unconditioned spaces and verify airflow at the registers.
- Heat-pump controls: Specify the outdoor temperature or operating condition that calls for backup heat, and identify whether the backup is electric resistance or another fuel.
- Performance paperwork: Keep the model numbers, matched-system ratings, commissioning readings and warranty documents.
Installation also affects comfort and sound. A correctly sized, variable-capacity heat pump may run longer at low output, improving temperature stability and moisture control; an oversized unit may cycle frequently and feel less comfortable. Ask bidders to state expected indoor sound levels, defrost behavior and how condensate will be managed. These details do not replace an energy calculation, but they help reveal whether the proposed system is designed for the house rather than selected from a generic price sheet.
A practical way to calculate your own operating cost
- Separate the loads. Estimate annual cooling kWh, annual heat-pump heating kWh and backup-heater kWh. Do not place heating energy in the cooling column.
- Use local prices. Multiply each electric kWh category by the applicable utility rate, including time-of-use periods if relevant. Add the cost of natural gas, propane or oil if the alternative system uses fuel.
- Use comparable equipment. Compare systems with similar capacity, duct arrangement, comfort targets and expected run hours. Use SEER2 for cooling and HSPF2 for heat-pump heating.
- Include the purchase premium. Compare the installed price difference, expected service life and maintenance needs. DOE’s principle is that an efficient product is cost-effective when lifetime energy savings exceed the up-front premium.
- Test sensitive assumptions. Recalculate with a hotter or colder season, a different utility rate and a higher share of backup heat. A result that changes easily is not a reliable basis for paying a large premium.
A simple worksheet can use this expression:
annual cost = (cooling kWh × electric rate) + (heat-pump heating kWh × electric rate) + (backup-heat energy × its rate)
This is an estimate, not a guarantee. Weather, thermostat behavior, occupancy, envelope improvements and equipment degradation all change actual bills. Include maintenance and expected replacement timing in a longer-term comparison: DOE’s modeled examples use a 15-year heat-pump life and regional air-conditioner lives of 18, 24 or 25 years, so a five-year payback calculation may not match the equipment’s useful service period.
Is a heat pump worth it if you already have AC?
Replacing a working AC solely to reduce summer electricity use may not pay back quickly when the existing unit already has a high SEER2 and your home uses inexpensive fuel for heating. The case becomes stronger when the AC is near replacement, the furnace or resistance heater is inefficient or failing, electricity is reasonably priced, or you want one system to provide both heating and cooling.
Keep the AC and replace heating when
- The AC is relatively new, correctly sized and efficient for your climate.
- Heating is provided by a low-cost, efficient fuel system that you do not intend to retire.
- Your electrical service cannot readily support heat-pump and backup-heater loads.
- The local climate would require frequent resistance backup and the projected annual savings are small.
Consider a heat pump when
- Both the AC and heating equipment are approaching replacement.
- Your current heating is electric resistance and you can install a properly sized, high-HSPF2 system.
- You want cooling and heating from one outdoor unit and can accept the required controls and maintenance.
- A local load calculation shows that a cold-climate-rated model can cover most winter hours without excessive backup operation.
How to shop without being misled by a single rating
- Read the yellow EnergyGuide label for estimated use and compare it only with labels for similarly sized systems.
- Check qualified-product lists for the current SEER2/HSPF2 criteria and confirm that the indoor and outdoor components form a rated match.
- Ask for separate cooling and heating estimates under your climate assumptions.
- Get at least one bid that itemizes equipment, electrical work, duct repairs, controls, permits, commissioning and disposal.
- Ask what happens during a power outage, extreme cold, defrost cycle and backup-heat call.
- Verify that the installer will perform the load calculation and provide commissioning records, not just install the equipment and leave.
When comparing a heat pump air conditioner or other air-source heat pump options, treat the equipment price and the installation as one system. A lower bid that omits electrical upgrades, a matched indoor coil, duct repairs or control setup can produce higher operating costs and more service calls. Models, sizing and installation requirements vary, so any retailer or contractor estimate should be checked against your home’s load calculation and local code.
Rank #4
- Four-in-One Unit: Our 14,000 BTU ASHRAE (10,200 BTU SACC) air conditioner also offers 10,000 BTU Heat for cold winter months. Portable AC with heat also functions as a dehumidifier & fan
- Portable AC: Take this personal air conditioner (16.5” x 14.06” x 27.09) in rooms up to 700 sq. ft. Stay cool in the hot summer months and sleep well with this BLACK+DECKER ac unit for bedroom
- Smart AC with Voice Control: This smart air conditioner allows Wi-Fi connectivity and can be controlled using our mobile app available on iOS and Google Play stores, and voice controlled by Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
- Follow Me Remote: Our portable AC unit comes with a full function remote control that features a FOLLOW ME function, which allows the remote to act as a thermostat for precise temperature control
- Installation Kit: When it comes to fans that blow cold air, this indoor ac unit includes an easy-to-install window kit. A large, vented airflow outlet ushers in cool air
Common mistakes and how to correct them
Comparing annual kWh rows as if they were the same service
Problem: The heat-pump figure includes heating and cooling while the AC figure includes cooling only.
Correction: Compare SEER2 for cooling, then model the heating system separately.
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Problem: Ratings assume standardized conditions; oversized equipment, poor airflow and leaky ducts reduce field performance.
Correction: Demand a load calculation, matched equipment, sealed ducts and documented refrigerant charge.
Ignoring backup heat
Problem: Resistance heat can operate during cold weather or an incorrectly configured emergency-heat call.
Correction: Put the switchover temperature and control logic in writing and monitor winter operation after installation.
Using the 11¢ price for a personal payback calculation
Problem: DOE’s 11¢/kWh is a July 2024 federal-facility modeling assumption, not a universal residential rate.
Correction: Substitute your utility’s marginal rate, fuel prices and applicable taxes.
Bottom line for different buyers
- Cooling-only question: Compare SEER2 on similarly sized, properly matched systems. A heat pump is not automatically more efficient than a traditional AC.
- Electric-resistance heating replacement: A heat pump can reduce total household energy by providing heating more efficiently than resistance heat, provided sizing, climate capability and backup controls are right.
- Cold-climate home: Choose a cold-climate-rated model, verify capacity at the design temperature and quantify expected resistance-backup hours.
- Existing efficient AC: Keep it until replacement economics make sense unless the heating savings, incentives or reliability benefits justify an earlier change.
- Any climate: Installation quality, ducts, refrigerant charge and local electricity prices can matter more than a small difference in headline rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a heat pump cheaper to run than central AC?
For cooling alone, not necessarily. Compare similarly sized systems by SEER2. A heat pump may lower total annual energy costs when it replaces electric-resistance heating, but a cooling-only comparison should exclude winter energy.
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Do heat pumps use more electricity in summer?
They can, but they do not inherently do so. Summer use depends on SEER2, capacity, airflow, duct losses, refrigerant charge, thermostat settings and run hours. Comparable, properly installed systems should have similar cooling consumption.
Best Value
- All-in-One Comfort Control: This mini split AC/heating system provides cooling, heating, dehumidifying, and fan modes with 61°F–90°F settings, plus a 24-hour timer and sleep mode for everyday comfort
- Energy-Efficient Performance: Featuring an advanced invert heat pump with a SEER2 18 rating, this system delivers strong airflow while cutting energy usage and electricity costs without reducing comfort
- Stable & Reliable Year-Round Use: This 12,000 BTU ductless mini split AC/heating operates in extreme conditions (5°F to 122°F) and efficiently covers spaces up to 750 sq. ft. for all-season comfort
- Quiet Operation & Easy Control: This split AC unit runs quietly below 29dB to create a peaceful environment at home or work, with simple, intuitive controls for effortless daily operation
- Self-Cleaning & Warranty Protection: This Air Conditioner offers self-cleaning function, easily removable filters and air blades for convenient cleaning, plus a 5-year compressor and 7-year parts warranty
What do SEER2 and HSPF2 mean?
SEER2 is seasonal cooling output in Btu divided by watt-hours consumed. HSPF2 is the seasonal heating-efficiency rating for a heat pump. SEER2 answers the cooling question; HSPF2 helps estimate annual heat-pump performance.
Will a heat pump work efficiently in a cold climate?
A cold-climate-rated model can work efficiently when sized for the local design temperature and commissioned correctly. Ask when resistance backup will operate, what capacity remains at low temperatures and how the controls handle defrost and emergency heat.
Is a heat pump worth it if I already have AC?
Replacing a functioning, efficient AC only for summer savings may have a slow payback. The case is stronger when the AC and heater are near replacement, the current heat is electric resistance, or one properly designed system can replace both.
How should I compare contractor quotes?
Require a room-by-room load calculation, matched-system ratings, sealed and insulated ducts, verified refrigerant charge, backup-heat controls, permits, commissioning records and itemized electrical or duct work. Compare the complete installed scope, not just the outdoor-unit price.
The Bottom Line
For cooling, compare SEER2; for the household, compare the complete heating-and-cooling system. Heat pumps are not automatically lower-energy air conditioners, but they can substantially reduce annual energy when replacing electric resistance heat. Climate, backup operation, duct condition, sizing, commissioning and your actual utility and fuel rates determine the result.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
