A heat strip air conditioner is a cooling unit that also provides warmth using an electric resistance heating element—a "heat strip"—to generate heat. Unlike a traditional heat pump that extracts heat from the outside air, a heat strip air conditioner directly converts electricity into heat to warm your space.
What is a Heat Strip Air Conditioner?
A heat strip air conditioner, often found in units like Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs), is an all-in-one system capable of both cooling and heating a room. While its primary function is usually cooling, the heating component comes from one or more heat strips.
The heat strip itself is a wire heating element typically located inside the PTAC or similar air conditioning unit. It functions by warming the air as it passes over its coils, much like the coil you would find in a common space heater or a toaster. When the heating mode is activated, electricity flows through this element, causing it to glow hot and directly transfer heat to the air circulating through the unit.
How it Works
In a heat strip air conditioner:
- Cooling Mode: The unit operates like a standard air conditioner, absorbing heat from the room and expelling it outside, typically using a refrigerant cycle.
- Heating Mode: When heating is required, the compressor (used for cooling) is often disengaged, and the heat strip is activated. The fan blows air across the super-heated wire element, and this warmed air is then circulated into the room.
This mechanism provides immediate, on-demand warmth, making it a straightforward solution for supplemental heating or in specific applications where complex HVAC systems are not feasible.
Common Applications
Heat strip air conditioners are commonly found in:
- Hotels and Motels: PTAC units with heat strips are a standard choice for individual room climate control, offering guests personalized heating and cooling.
- Apartment Buildings: Especially in smaller units or those without central HVAC, PTACs with heat strips provide a simple solution.
- Elderly Care Facilities: Similar to hotels, these units offer individual room comfort.
- Additions or Sunrooms: Where extending existing ductwork is difficult or expensive, a standalone unit with a heat strip can be an effective solution.
- Auxiliary Heat for Heat Pumps: Sometimes, heat strips are integrated into central heat pump systems as a form of "emergency" or "supplemental" heat. When outside temperatures drop too low for the heat pump to efficiently extract heat, the heat strips can kick in to maintain the desired indoor temperature.
Heat Strips vs. Heat Pumps
It's crucial to distinguish between heat strip heating and heat pump heating, as they are fundamentally different:
| Feature | Heat Strip (Electric Resistance) Heating | Heat Pump Heating |
|---|---|---|
| How it Heats | Converts electrical energy directly into heat using a wire heating element. | Transfers existing heat from one place to another (e.g., outside air to indoors). |
| Efficiency | 100% efficient (all electrical energy becomes heat), but expensive to run. | Highly efficient; can provide 2-4 units of heat for every 1 unit of electricity. |
| Operating Cost | Generally higher due to direct electrical consumption. | Generally lower, especially in moderate climates. |
| Primary Use | Supplemental, auxiliary, or primary heat in specific standalone units. | Primary heating and cooling in most residential and commercial applications. |
| Temperature | Provides consistent heat output regardless of outside temperature. | Efficiency decreases as outside temperature drops. |
While a heat strip air conditioner offers a simple and reliable way to provide heat, its operational cost can be significantly higher than a heat pump, particularly in regions with high electricity prices or during prolonged cold spells.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
- Simple and Reliable: Fewer moving parts for the heating function compared to a heat pump, leading to simpler operation and maintenance.
- Instant Heat: Provides warmth almost immediately after being turned on.
- Consistent Heat Output: The heating capacity is not affected by extremely low outdoor temperatures, unlike heat pumps.
- Lower Upfront Cost: Units incorporating heat strips are often less expensive to purchase and install than full heat pump systems.
- Effective in Extreme Cold: Can serve as a reliable heat source even when outdoor temperatures are well below freezing, where heat pumps struggle.
Disadvantages:
- High Operating Costs: As it directly converts electricity to heat, it consumes a large amount of power, leading to higher electricity bills compared to heat pumps or natural gas furnaces.
- Less Energy Efficient: From an energy consumption standpoint, it's one of the least efficient methods of heating.
- Not Environmentally Friendly: High electricity consumption often translates to a larger carbon footprint, depending on the electricity source.
For those considering a climate control solution, understanding the role and efficiency of a heat strip is crucial for making an informed decision about long-term energy costs and comfort.
