Keeping Cool: AC vs. Heat Pump
If you're a homeowner in Colorado or Minnesota, you know how crucial heating is, but when summer rolls around, staying cool is just as important. As more people look for energy-efficient ways to control their home temperature year-round, many are asking: what’s better — air conditioning or a heat pump? And what exactly is a heat pump, anyway?
Whether you're comparing a mini split AC, a central air conditioning system, or considering a ductless air conditioner for the first time, this guide will help you make sense of your options—and why heat pumps might be the unsung hero of home cooling.
What Is a Heat Pump, and How Does It Work?
Despite the name, a heat pump isn’t just for heating. Heat pumps cool your home, too. In simple terms, a heat pump works like a highly-efficient air conditioner — but with a reverse gear! In the summer, it pulls heat from inside your house and pushes it outside. In the winter, it pulls heat from outside (even when it's cold out) and brings it inside.
Yes, even in a Minnesota winter, modern cold climate heat pumps can still extract heat from the air. We break this down in more detail in our Heat Pumps 101 guide.
AC vs Heat Pump: What’s the Difference?
Here’s the core difference: a traditional air conditioner cools your home, but it can’t heat it. A heat pump can do both.
If you already have a furnace and want to simply add central air conditioning, a standalone AC system might seem like the easiest option. But if you're looking to replace or reduce your reliance on fossil fuels, a heat pump can provide year-round comfort with less energy and lower carbon emissions.
For homeowners who want the efficiency of a heat pump but aren’t ready to part with their gas furnace, a hybrid (sometimes called dual fuel) setup is a great option. By adding a heat pump coil to your existing system, you can cool your home all summer and rely on electric heat for most of the winter—only using the furnace as a backup when temperatures really drop.
At Zero Homes, we regularly help homeowners solve their home cooling needs while reducing the time they need to rely on gas, oil or propane heating.
Mini Split AC vs Heat Pump: Are They the Same?
You’ve probably heard of or seen a mini split air conditioner—those compact wall-mounted units that provide cooling without ductwork. But here’s the twist: many mini splits are actually heat pumps.
A ductless mini split system is a type of heat pump that can cool and heat individual rooms or zones. That means you get independent temperature control in that particular room, which is especially attractive for bedrooms. In short, it provides efficient cooling in the summer and cozy heating in the winter, without needing to install or extend ductwork.
So if you’re looking at a “mini split AC” you might already be looking at a heat pump!
Still unsure which type of system is right for your home? Check out our comparison of mini splits, multi splits, and ducted systems to see how they stack up.
Turning Your Furnace into an Air Conditioner:
Adding a Heat Pump Coil for Hybrid Cooling
Less common but cost-comparable (with rebates) to a new central air conditioning installation is the heat pump coil. This is a great solution if you have a newer furnace but want to rely more on electricity and less on fossil fuels like gas. This hybrid system (aka dual fuel) adds a heat pump coil to your existing furnace, allowing the system to switch between electric heating/cooling and gas heat depending on the temperature and efficiency.
For example, Zero Homes recently completed this project for a customer in the Colorado Rockies. Jargon moment: This heat pump coil was 315% efficient at 47 degrees F and 161% efficient -13 degrees F. Their old gas furnace was, by contrast, somewhere between 80% and 96% efficient. What that actually means is that the heat pump produces 315% more heat output than energy it used.
Here’s how it works:
In the summer, the heat pump coil provides efficient air conditioning — just like a standard AC coil would. In the shoulder seasons (HVAC-jargon for lower-demand seasons) and mild winter days, the heat pump handles the heating needs. Only when temperatures drop very low does the gas furnace kick in.
Why consider it?
Lower energy bills compared to a traditional AC + gas furnace setup
Increase your home’s comfort and indoor air quality with more control provided by heat pumps
Reduces your carbon footprint without fully ditching your existing system
Offers flexibility for colder climates like Colorado and Minnesota
With existing rebates, you can upgrade to the latest and best tech for less than the inefficient systems
It’s also a good stepping stone if you plan to fully electrify your home in the future.
Central Air Conditioning vs Ductless Air Conditioner (aka Mini Split Heat Pumps)
Let’s break down two of the most popular options for home cooling:
Central (Ducted) Air Conditioning
This is a traditional system that some homes already have, especially if they have vents or ductwork due to a furnace. It uses a single outdoor compressor unit connected to a network of ducts that deliver cool air throughout the house.
Pros:
Distributed cooling across the whole home
Can use existing ductwork (if in good condition)
Cons:
Not energy efficient for partial use (like cooling just one or two rooms)
Ductwork can be expensive to install or update
Can be inefficient in older homes with air leaks in their ducts
Ductless Air Conditioner (aka Mini Split)
These systems have one or more indoor units connected to a small outdoor unit, without the need for ducts.
Pros:
Zoned control: cool only the rooms you use
High efficiency
No ducts = less energy loss
Most can also heat (as ductless heat pumps)
Significant rebates are available (read about Colorado’s heat pump rebates here)
Cons:
Certain units are visible on walls (some find this a drawback), but ceiling and floor-mounted units are also available
May not be ideal for very large homes without zoning any design
Why Heat Pumps Keep You Comfortable Year-Round, Even in Cold Climates
We sometimes hear from customers looking at heat pumps to provide air conditioning that they don’t know if the heating part will work for them based on their cold climate. In fact, for years people assumed heat pumps only worked in milder regions. Today, that’s a well-disproven myth. Cold climate heat pumps have changed the game. Modern systems use variable-speed compressors and refrigerants that stay effective even when temperatures drop below 0°F. That’s jargon to say there are system designs for extreme temperatures, especially when you’re working with a company that specializes in high-quality system design (hi, that’s us!)
In places like Colorado and Minnesota, heat pumps can now meet most — if not all — of a home's heating needs. And they still provide powerful cooling in the summer. (Want more specifics related to your area? Check out our Front Range, Western Slope and Minnesota-specific info pages.)
In fact, many homeowners in these states are choosing mini split heat pumps (aka ductless air conditioners) or ducted heat pumps to completely replace or supplement their central HVAC systems. That means better efficiency, more control, and lower carbon emissions, all in one package.
So, Which Should You Choose?
Here’s a quick decision guide:
If you want to add AC and already have a working furnace, consider a heat pump coil.
If you want both heating and cooling in one system, go for a centrally ducted heat pump.
If you want room-by-room control, no ductwork, or are remodeling, a ductless mini split heat pump is likely your best bet.
If you’re planning to fully electrify your home, a cold climate heat pump system is essential.
Bottom line: heat pumps aren’t just an alternative to AC — they’re a smarter, cleaner, all-in-one comfort solution.
Final Thoughts: Smarter Cooling Starts with Smarter Choices
Home cooling isn’t just about comfort — it’s about efficiency, cost, and how your system fits into the bigger energy picture. Whether you're replacing an aging AC system or considering a full electrification upgrade, understanding the AC vs heat pump debate puts you in control.
At Zero Homes, we help homeowners in cold climates make informed choices about their heating and cooling needs. From heat pump installations to insulation upgrades, we specialize in all-electric home transitions that are both high-performance and low-hassle.
Want to learn more about whether a heat pump is right for your home? Check out our Heat Pumps 101 guide or dive into the differences between ductless and ducted systems. Our Colorado readers read more about local, state and federal heat pump rebates and Minnesotans can review our ever-expanding offering in their area.
Ready to get started—or just want to talk it through?
We’re here to help you build a low-emissions future or simply keep your home more comfortable all year. Reach out to Zero Homes for expert advice, tailored to your home and climate.
