Have you ever wondered what the differences between a boiler and a heat pump are? Well, they’re quite different from one another, so answering the question may not be that simple. Nonetheless, reviewing several units from each category may allow us to reach a proper conclusion.
That’s what we’ll do here. In this article, we’ll review five appliances of each, which should give us a better idea of what they can do. Then, we’ll discuss the biggest differences between the heat pump vs. the boiler.
Let’s begin then!
Heat Pump vs. Boiler Comparison in 2023
Heat Pump Overview
People often prefer to go for a heat pump due to the advantages it provided. These electrical devices are highly efficient when it comes to energy consumption, preventing electricity loss that would lead to more money spent.
Heat pumps transfer heat from one area to another. This process is possible due to air compression, which comes very handy in moderate climates.
Besides saving you some money by using energy efficiently, heat pumps also require fewer expenses on maintenance. Another reason you may want to consider these devices is that they’re eco-friendly, meaning less chemical pollution.
Recommended Heat Pumps to Buy
In this section, we’ll talk about the best heat pumps. Keep in mind that these units can provide both cool and warm temperatures.
1. PIONEER Air Conditioner WYS009G-19 Inverter + Mini Split Heat Pump
This machine is a two-in-one unit, featuring a ductless mini-split inverter, and a heat pump system. Despite its small size, the device is highly efficient, providing an ultra-silent performance suitable for home and light commercial applications.
The unit works at 9,000 BTU/hour, making it suitable for cooling at heating, offering 18 SEER, and HSPF efficiency of 9.5. Every tool and component needed comes included in the purchase, such as the 16ft copper piping set that is both convenient and useful for the installation.
Additionally, the purchase includes a remote controller that should help you change the basic settings such as the temperatures.
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2. Senville SENL-09CD Mini Split Heat Pump
If you’re looking for the most valuable heat pumps, Senville is a brand that may have what you need. The SENL-09CD is a heat pump that works on 9,000 BTU and 110/120 Volts. It’s a suitable choice for bedrooms, living rooms, and commercial applications.
The high-quality components featured in this unit are outstanding. For example, the compressor uses up-to-date tech and engineering to provide both cooling and heating. Undoubtedly, the built-in heat pump does an incredible job of making the rooms feel comfortable in summer and winter.
Thanks to the built-in washable filters, maintaining the mini-split is a breeze. However, installation may not be as simple. The brand itself recommends getting professional assistance for that.
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Related Comparison: Condensing vs. Non-Condensing Boiler
3. Klimaire KSIV Mini-Split Inverter Air Conditioner Heat Pump System, 9,000 BTU
The next appliance is a highly efficient inverter system, including indoor and outdoor units, as well as the 15-ft installation kit and accessories needed. Of course, that also means a remote control comes with the order too.
While operating, the ultra-quiet design allows the indoor unit to operate without emanating loud noises. In fact, the noise is as low as 25 dB(A), making the unit capable of cooling and heating areas up to 350 squares feet comfortably.
Since this unit belongs to the KSIV Series, customers will also enjoy high-quality features such as effective temperature controls. Some of those incredible features are the self-cleaning, sleep-mode, automatic restart, and turbo operations, to name a few.
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4. DAIKIN Ductless Mini-Split A/C Heat Pump System, 9,000 BTU
Similar to what we’ve seen so far, purchasing this appliance gives customers several appliances. For instance, there’s an indoor fan coil and an outdoor condensing unit.
Other accessories like remote controller and the installation kit also come included.
The coverage area of this mini-split is 350 sq ft, which is suitable for standard applications such as living rooms, master bedrooms, and more.
Once installed, the 9,000 BTU capacity guarantees enough power to heat or cold any of those areas easily.
One of the reasons people love this appliance is because of its technology. Besides using energy efficiently to save you some money, the unit is capable of minimizing temperature fluctuations. Because of that, everyone at home gets to enjoy warm or cold temperatures throughout the day.
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5. MRCOOL COMFORT MADE SIMPLE 24k BTU 17 SEER MrCool Advantage Heat Pump Split System
This unit requires 220 Volts of power to operate, and while it’s not the most powerful heat pump system, many features make it a valuable purchase.
You see, installing this unit is easy. Once you do, several features like the remote or the WiFi smart kit included make it easy to operate the split properly. Additionally, the purchase includes the 16 ft installation kit too.
While operating, the heat pump offers an improved efficiency rating of 19 SEER, ensuring an outstanding performance while also saving you energy and money. Considering the price, we can tell there aren’t many units capable of doing what this appliance does.
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Boiler Overview
The right word to describe a boiler would be convenience. Over the years, these devices responsible for boiling water have evolved into modern and innovative machines. Now, you can even control them using your smartphone, even if you’re not nearby!
Installing a modern gas boiler means you’ll get to save some money, while also helping out the environment.
Boilers don’t disappoint in terms of performance either. Depending on the unit you choose, you may even have the option to set up multi-zone heating.
What does that mean? Well, a boiler offers options like programming your own schedules, which helps to provide certain temperatures to specific rooms in the house.
Recommended Boilers to Buy
Now, let’s talk a little bit about which boilers would be a good addition to the household.
6. Rinnai Q205SN Boilers, Q205SN-Natural Gas
The Q205SN boiler is one of Rinnai’s top products. It works on natural gas, as the name states, and it offers several venting options to fit in most households easily.
For instance, you can do a single-pipe setting to provide room air or set up a system featuring a two-pipe structure.
Since it’s a compact, wall-mounted design, installing this boiler requires barely any space in the house. The stainless steel build is another benefit, as it makes the unit durable for many years. Even after time has passed, the boiler continues to perform as a reliable heat exchanger.
Part of the unit’s success is the addition of a built-in modulating pump. Besides an effective reset sensor, the boiler is suitable for outdoor installations. The enclosure keeps everything inside protected.
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7. Rinnai M-Series Natural Gas Boiler (M160SN)
Much like most other units from the M-Series, the M160SN is a compact model that makes for an easy installation. Its aesthetic design may make the boiler look old-school, but its performance is definitely far better than the traditional boilers.
With a stainless steel build and quality components, the M160SN is a long-lasting boiler. It works for both residential and commercial applications, delivering an estimated 160,000 BTU. While operating, the unit is capable of supplying hot water for up to three bathrooms at once.
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8. Noritz CB199-DV-NG Combi Boiler
Noritz has nothing to envy from other brands. The CB199-DV-NG combi boiler is remarkable, just like most other appliances created by this brand. With 95.1% of AFUE rating, this unit provides up to 9.2 gallons of hot water per minute.
Other than an incredible performance, the unit is quite convenient too. Its weight is around 85 pounds, making it less heavyweight than the standard boilers.
The installation isn’t hard either, making it possible for DIYers and inexperienced customers to set it up rather quickly.
Operating the unit isn’t dangerous in the slightest. Thanks to several built-in safety measures included, there won’t be risks of overheating. The sensors for gas, flame, and water do an efficient job of preventing accidents from happening.
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9. Rinnai RUC98iP Propane Tankless Water Heater
Don’t let the compact design of this unit fool you. At max capacity, this boiler from Rinnai secures an impressive amount of 199,000 BTU. It may be small, but the RUC98iP doesn’t fall short when it comes to supplying hot water to the household.
By providing around .96 energy factor, the boiler uses electricity wisely to avoid waste. Because of that, not only does this unit save space due to its compact design, but it also saves you some money because of its energy-efficient performance.
Setting up the boiler in areas like the laundry room guarantees there won’t be any loud noises disrupting the environment at home. Also, although the installation in itself takes time, the result is a machine that will meet your expectations.
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10. Westinghouse Condensing Heating Boiler
This unit quickly grabs our attention due to how good it looks. Then, after buying it, the boiler only confirms to be a valuable purchase worth every bit of money invested. It works on 140,000 BTUs, and it features a storage tank that’ll supply hot water throughout the house.
Setting up this unit is pretty easy. The wall-mounted design guarantees the boiler doesn’t consume much space, making it convenient to have in the house. Additionally, the universal piping location makes it possible to move the connection from the left to the right side of the boiler if needed.
With an outstanding stainless steel build, the unit puts up an efficient performance for many years. The ultra-low NOx emission is yet another advantage, as it helps to improve the boiler’s performance.
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Differences between Heat Pump and Boilers
Alright, so what are the differences between these two types of units? Let’s find out.
Purpose
As the name suggests, boilers do one thing, which is to boil water. Normally, they work on either natural gas or propane, which powers up the boilers to heat water until it’s hot. Then, the water goes through the pipes to reach different areas in the household.
On the other hand, we have the heat pumps, which are independent units that don’t rely on a radiator to warm or cool the room. But how does it do that? The heat pump absorbs and transfers thermal energy to the coolant to create a high temperature.
Temperature
Since many boilers operate with a radiator, each area of the household can have its unique temperature. That doesn’t happen with the heat pumps, though, as these units cover larger areas of the house, providing the same temperature throughout the household.
Efficiency
The efficiency of both boilers and heat pumps varies depending on several conditions like climate, and the model of the unit itself. Commonly, heaters have an AFUE rating to let you know the amount of fuel converted to heat.
A high AFUE rating means the unit is far more efficient. Whether you’re looking for a boiler or a heat pump, the energy-efficiency rate is important.
Conclusion
As you can see, the heat pump vs. boiler is a debate that requires plenty of thought and consideration. Make sure to give each appliance a try to see which one is the most suitable for you.
