Most of us interact with our home HVAC system by turning it off and on and changing the filter. When an HVAC salesperson lists all the options, we usually choose the cheapest option or the one with the highest efficiency rating.
The technical speech and jargon just wash over us because it means nothing to us. What is an inverter heat pump, anyway?
Our hope at Advantage is to reduce the confusion around HVAC equipment and boost your knowledge and confidence. If you feel like you can confidently direct the conversation with your HVAC sales professional, then we’ve done our job.
You shouldn’t feel like you’re just accepting a recommendation with no information. And you definitely shouldn’t feel like the sales professional is making your decision for you.
In this post, we’ll explain what an inverter heat pump is, what makes it special, and give you details that you can use to direct the conversation when purchasing a new HVAC system.
A heat pump is an HVAC system that transfers heat rather than generating it. Unlike a furnace that burns fuel to create heat, a heat pump extracts heat from the outside air (even in cold weather) and transfers it indoors.
In cooling mode, a heat pump works like an air conditioner by extracting heat from inside your home and expelling it outside. This dual functionality makes heat pumps one of the most energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions available today.
An inverter heat pump is a heat pump that can operate at multiple speed settings. They use a piece of technology, sometimes called an inverter drive or inverter compressor, to operate at variable speeds instead of just turning on and off.
Depending on the manufacturer and their marketing, they may also call this style of heat pump a variable-speed or multi-speed system. The many names given to this type of HVAC equipment have led to some confusion. At Advantage, we call it a Smart System, since it can make smart decisions based on sensor inputs.
In this post, we’ll try to keep it simple and only call it an inverter heat pump or a Smart System.
Yes, an inverter heat pump is often considered a smart heat pump because it continuously adjusts its performance to match your home’s heating and cooling needs. Unlike traditional systems that turn on and off in cycles, an inverter heat pump operates at varying speeds, optimizing efficiency and comfort.
Some models also integrate with smart thermostats, allowing homeowners to monitor and control their energy usage remotely. This combination of technology ensures consistent temperatures and lower energy bills.
A heat pump is significantly better with an inverter. Here’s why:
While inverter heat pumps tend to have a higher upfront cost, the long-term benefits in efficiency and durability make them the superior choice.
An inverter heat pump works by adjusting the compressor speed in real-time based on the heating or cooling demand. Instead of turning off and on like a traditional system, the inverter compressor operates continuously, making slight adjustments to maintain the desired temperature efficiently.
Unlike traditional HVAC systems that cycle on and off, inverter heat pumps run for extended periods—sometimes continuously—at low power levels. This approach maximizes efficiency and ensures stable indoor temperatures while using minimal energy.
Heat pumps and furnaces provide heating but function differently:
Heat pumps operate differently from a furnace at its core. A furnace uses a fuel source to generate heat using a chemical reaction or electricity. A heat pump uses refrigerant to absorb heat from one side of the system and expel that heat from the other side.
A heat pump can pull heat from outside and pump it into your home in winter. They can also pull heat from inside your home and expel it outside. This means that heat pumps can also do the same function as an air conditioner.
In order to push air through the system, a heat pump will still need some sort of air handler. That could be a separate air handler unit or it can work with a furnace connected to ductwork.
A standard heat pump operates at fixed speeds—either full power or off. When the thermostat tells the heat pump to change the temperature in the room, it turns on at full speed. Then shuts off once it reaches or goes over the desired temperature.
That’s like having a car that only goes 100 miles per hour if it’s not stopped. It’s not very useful if you need to slow down through a school zone.
On the other hand, an inverter heat pump can go fast, slow, or at any speed in between to match the home’s needs. The inverter technology allows it to turn on at full speed and then slow down to maintain temperature or start slow and speed up. This ability to run at different speeds allows an inverter system to:
This makes it like having adaptive cruise control or a sixth sense that allows you to hit the gas just right and always be going the exact speed limit.
The way an inverter heat pump provides heat offers several benefits over a furnace. The ability to adjust the speed at which it operates gives it several benefits over a fixed heat pump. We’ll start by discussing the financial benefits that you’d see as a customer before getting into the other benefits it offers.
Inverter heat pumps are so efficient that they can pay for themselves if you use them as a long-term solution. Homeowners often see a reduction in their electricity bills after making the switch.
How? Inverter heat pumps are designed for energy efficiency. It’s often three times more efficient than a regular furnace.
Most inverter heat pumps have a Coefficient of Performance (CoP) between 3 to 5. That means for every 1 kilowatt of power it uses, it will produce 3 to 5 kilowatts of heat.
A high-end furnace has an efficiency between 95-98%, but an inverter heat pump is still three times more efficient.
Even when compared to regular heat pumps, they often save 10-30% more each month on electric bills because they can adjust speed.
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A regular heat pump uses the most power to turn on. It has to turn on several times throughout the day to maintain a temperature since the ambient air will affect the air in your home once it turns off. An inverter heat pump will slow down to maintain temperature. This one longer cycle will use less energy than the fixed heat pump turning off and on.
In both cases, you save every month on your energy bill.
The exact amount you could save would depend on your climate and the frequency your heat pump turns on. Curious how much a heat pump can save you? Explore your savings for free today.
Inverter heat pumps typically last 20–25 years, whereas:
Why? Any HVAC system suffers the most wear and tear when it first turns on. The parts move, and an electric current activates everything that needs to activate. This jolt during activation wears down parts over time. Short cycles and constant on-and-off activations can destroy pieces of equipment.
Because inverter heat pumps run continuously at variable speeds instead of cycling on and off, they experience less wear and tear than other systems. You pay for fewer repairs, go through fewer materials, and avoid replacing your system often.
Using an inverter heat pump reduces your carbon footprint by lowering energy consumption. Plus, because they last longer, they reduce waste from replacements and repairs.
If you are looking for a sustainable and eco-friendly option, then mention that to your HVAC sales professional.
An inverter heat pump offers several benefits in terms of at-home comfort:
Less Space Needed – Runs efficiently in a compact outdoor unit, freeing up indoor space.
Inverter heat pumps regulate humidity more effectively than traditional HVAC systems because they run longer at lower speeds, allowing more moisture to be removed from the air. This helps maintain optimal indoor air quality, especially in humid climates.
Since inverter heat pumps run continuously at lower speeds, they circulate air more frequently through filters, reducing airborne pollutants and allergens.
Daikin is one of the leading manufacturers of inverter heat pumps. Their models offer high energy efficiency, smart controls, and durability. Some Daikin units also qualify for rebates and incentives, making them an excellent choice for energy-conscious homeowners. Get a free quote for a Daikin system today.
You should consider an inverter heat pump if:
At Advantage Heating, we specialize in installing high-efficiency inverter heat pumps tailored to your home’s needs. Whether you’re replacing an outdated system or installing one for the first time, our team ensures a seamless process with professional expertise.
It's summer, and that means your home is going to need cooling if you want to stay comfortable as the temperatures rise. Although you could add a few of the best window air conditioners to cool down your home, but a good heat pump system might be the better option for you. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the thermostat, but choosing the right technology can make it even easier to maintain the perfect temperature.
Heat pumps can be a great option for homeowners. They offer a few benefits -- they're up to 50% cheaper to run than standard central air conditioners, according to the US Department of Energy. They're also useful in both hot and cold weather. If you're among the 78% of US adults stressed out about energy bills, as found in a recent CNET survey, you would do well to pick the right heat pump.
If you want to get the best out of a heat pump, it's crucial to choose the right size for your home. You should avoid spending money on a pump that's too powerful for your needs and needs more energy, or one that's too weak for your needs and needs to run harder to keep up with the space.
So how do you pick the right one? We've got all the answers to your questions, below.
It might seem like the size of your heat pump isn't that important. After all, what's the worst that can happen if it's a bit too small or too large? You might be surprised to learn just how important it is to find the right size. Having a heat pump that's either too small or too large can result in unnecessarily high energy costs.
If your heat pump is too small for your home, it likely won't work properly. You could end up paying higher heating and cooling bills because the heat pump will struggle to heat and cool your home. Because the heat pump has to work harder to get your home to the right temperature, you can also expect to pay higher repair and maintenance costs.
On the other hand, oversized heat pumps will produce more energy than you need, which wastes energy and reduces efficiency.
There are a couple of different methods you can use to find the right size heat pump for your home: Manual J and square footage. We'll discuss each of those in further detail below.
Manual J calculation is the industry standard of sizing a heat pump. It was established by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America to help determine the proper size heat pump for your home based on eight different factors. The eight factors that Manual J considers are:
There are a lot of factors that go into calculating your heat pump size, and it can be complicated to determine how each of those affects your heat pump needs. Luckily, there's a simpler approach you can take to choose the right size heat pump.
In general, every 500 square feet of your home will require one ton of air conditioning capacity. Here are some guidelines to help you determine how many tons you'll need:
It's also important to know what each ton equals in BTUs, or British thermal units, which is the measurement used to determine heat pump sizing. Use this chart to help you determine the BTUs needed for your home:
Once you know the appropriate number of BTUs required for your home's heat pump, you can start shopping for the right one. Remember that you can also work with an HVAC expert who can help offer some guidelines and advice.
Finding the right heat pump size for your home is critical when it comes to saving money on energy and keeping your home at the right temperature in both the winter and summer. Sizing your heat pump may seem difficult at first, but it's actually pretty simple to figure out. And luckily, there are plenty of heat pump sizing calculators available online to simplify the process further. And once you know what size heat pump you need, the process of finding the right one should be a breeze.
Keep reading to learn more about heating and cooling your home:
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