Difference between heat pump and air conditioner

Posted By: Sm Adminon: November 22, 2015In: Miscellaneous

Heat pump:
A heat pump is a device or machine which transfers heat from cold place to the hot place. It may be used for either to heat or to cool.
Air conditioner:
An air conditioner is a machine which uses a cycle and removes a heat from an area which is hot. The types of air conditioners are: portable air conditioners, split air conditioners and window air conditioning. In other words, it is the device which lowers the air temperature.
Differences:

Basis	Heat pump	Air conditioner
Definition (www.oxforddictionaries.com)	A device that transfers heat from a colder area to a hotter area by using mechanical energy, as in a refrigerator.	A system for controlling the humidity, ventilation, and temperature in a building or vehicle, typically to maintain a cool atmosphere in warm conditions.
Synonyms	Pump	Leaf, draft, ventilator, windmill, blade and vane
Punctuations	Eng (UK): / hiːt pʌmp / Eng (US): / hēt pəmp /	Eng (UK): / ɛː kənˈdɪʃ(ə)nə / Eng (US): / er kənˈdiSH(ə)nər /
Types	Its types are: Liquid to Air heat pump Liquid to Water heat pump Liquid to Air and Water heat pump Horizontal heat pumps Split system heat pumps	The types of air conditioner are: portable air conditioners split air conditioners window air conditioners
History	In 1748 William Cullen demonstrated artificial refrigeration which can be noted as the beginnings of the heat pump’s scientific principle. Lord Kelvin developed the idea in 1852 and is commonly held responsible for the scientific concept. In 1855-1857 Peter von Rittinger developed and built the first heat pump system. Some years later Robert C. Webber is credited as having developed the first ground source heat pump during the late 1940s.	The 19th century British scientist and inventor Michael Faraday discovered that compressing and liquefying ammonia could chill air when the liquefied ammonia was allowed to evaporate.
Word origin	The word heat pump was originated in 1894.	The word air conditioner was originated in 1914.
Performance	The coefficient of performance is always greater than one.	For an air conditioner, it can be one or less.
Use	Heat pumps use a reverse refrigeration cycle.	Air conditioners use the regular vapor compression cycle.
Main function	Heat pumps primarily heat the rooms.	Air conditioner cool rooms.
Cost	Heat pump is expensive as it can be used both in summer and winter.	Air conditioners are cheaper than heat pumps.
Use of condenser	Heat pumps use the condenser to generate heat.	In air conditioner, it is used to expel heat.
Advantages/Benefits	Its advantages are: Safer Cheap Less maintenance Provides cooler air Long life span Suitable for both summer and winter	Its advantages are: helps to stay comfortably especially during summer decrease heat stress
Disadvantages	Its disadvantages are: High startup cost Difficult to install Requirement of electricity	Its disadvantages are: lot of electricity is needed spending too much time in air conditioners can lead to the problems like asthma, tightness in chest and other respiratory ailments
Example in Sentence	Heat pump can be used in summer and winter both. The cost of heat pump is high.	He bought an air conditioner. I got my air conditioner repaired.