Compare heat pumps vs. ACs for St. Louis weather. Learn which system offers the best comfort, efficiency, and value.
When St. Louis residents consider keeping their homes comfortable throughout the year, the conversation often starts with one big question: Should I install a heat pump or a central air conditioner (AC)? Both systems are effective at cooling, but only one offers year-round comfort. Choosing the right solution depends on several factors — from local climate and energy costs to long-term performance and heating needs.
Thomas came over promptly I spoke with him about my concerns with my unit. Immediately got to work trouble shooting and resolved my issues. A+
Response from the owner:Thank you, James, for your kind words and for recognizing Thomas's promptness and dedication in resolving your concerns; we appreciate your feedback!
We have called Thomas Hoffmann many times and they are very prompt and very professional.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Vicki, for your kind words about Thomas Hoffmann's promptness and professionalism; we truly appreciate your feedback!
Not a customer, but witnessed one of their technicians have an episode of road rage in Clayton. I would be concerned about letting them into my house/business.
We really trust Thomas Hoffman AC and Heating. Nick Hoffman has serviced our units several times now and he is professional, knowledgeable and very easy to work with. He comes on time, so we don’t have to schedule a long waiting period. We would highly recommend this company.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Greg, for your kind words and for trusting us with your AC and heating needs; we’re glad to hear that Nick has provided you with such great service.
We’ve been looking for a locally owned small HVAC dealer for a few years. And we found it with Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating. We love their service technicians. They come on time, they know what they are doing, they don’t upsell you on every appointment and they like working for Thomas Hoffmann. A happy employee makes for a happy customer.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mary, for sharing your wonderful experience with us; we're glad to hear you appreciate our technicians and their commitment to great service!
I called on a Monday morning as air conditioning was blowing warm air. They were able to come to my house very early afternoon and fixed the problem. Would highly recommend and will use them again.
Response from the owner:Becky thank you so much for your great review. We appreciate your business and your kind words.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Margaret! We appreciate your kind words and will make sure to pass along your praise to Nick for his excellent service.
I am very pleased with the service provided. , especially the quick response to my request . The technician came in themorning and had my cooling system repaired within an hour. Thank you !
Response from the owner:We're delighted we could promptly assist you on a Sunday morning and fix your cooling system efficiently. Thank you!
Here on time, worked fast. Always pleasant and great answering questions. Zach always does a great job.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Debra, for your kind words; we're glad to hear Zach made a positive impression and that you had a great experience with our team!
Extremely quick response for appointment and did quick fix for our furnace and heat is working great !
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We're glad to hear our team was able to respond quickly and get your furnace working great. We appreciate your feedback!
They were timely, polite, professional and they saved us from too much sweating. In a field full of pompous and arrogant technicians, these guys take the time to explain what is wrong and how they are correcting it. Other folks just assume you are incompetent but these folks take the time to educate. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We truly appreciate your feedback and are glad we could provide you with a positive experience.
I would like to have a receipt for my payment which I did not receive. On a positive note he was very punctual very early actually he did his job and was very professional and I'm hoping and praying this took care of the issue thank you and I would not hesitate at this time to use your services
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mark, for your feedback and for highlighting the punctuality and professionalism of our team; we appreciate your support and will ensure you receive your receipt promptly.
Our experience with them was fantastic all the way through! Not only were they able to get to our business that day but the customer service from the phone call to the on-site service was professional and quick. We'll definitely be using Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning and Heating in the future.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Michelle, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear about your fantastic experience and appreciate your kind words about our team's professionalism. We look forward to serving you again in the future!
I couldn’t be happier with the service from Thomas Hoffmann Air-Conditioning! From the moment I called, the team was professional, responsive, and truly knowledgeable. Thomas personally made sure everything was handled with great attention to detail. The installation was smooth, efficient, and the quality of the work exceeded my expectations. It’s rare to find a company that is both skilled and genuinely cares about their customers. I highly recommend Thomas Hoffmann Air-Conditioning to anyone looking for honest, reliable, and top-notch service. They’ve definitely earned a loyal customer!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Rick, for your kind words and for recognizing our team's hard work; we're grateful for your support and thrilled to have earned your loyalty!
Amazing service from Thomas Hoffmann! They made space in their schedule to come out the next day to fix our air conditioner. They were on time, honest and fixed the problem on the spot. Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ashley! We appreciate your kind words about our team's service – it's great to hear we could help you so quickly.
Fast efficient service. Both of the gentlemen that came to my home were very help and informative not to mention polite. It’s difficult to get service advisers to appear at your home when scheduled most times they’re late or don’t show up at all. Not an issue with this team on time, clear diagnosis, quick repair. I would definitely use Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning again. I recommend them highly.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Anna, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that our team provided you with timely and helpful service, and we appreciate your high recommendation.
First visit for my maintenance program. Arrived on time. Very polite to talk to. They discussed what they did and everything was good. They were professional. I would recommend this company to everyone.
Response from the owner:We're delighted to hear about your positive first visit experience with us! Thank you for recommending our services.
Very knowledgeable. Very professional. Tom was very thorough and finally confirmed the issues in the system that no one else bothered to check.
Response from the owner:Thank you, David, for your kind words; it's great to hear that Tom's thoroughness made a difference in addressing the issues in the system. We look forward to working with you in the future!
I’ve been using “THOMAS Hoffmann Airconditioning and Heating” for years now. We have a 30 +\- year old system that works perfectly for us. Although we’ve not had to use it yet, it is comforting to know they offer a 24 hour on call service. I really appreciate that the technicians don’t try to upsell us on anything. They’re a very professional, knowledgeable, and courteous, local-family owned and operated business. I’ve also found their pricing to be very fair and by”fair” I don’t mean “cheap” but reasonable… especially for the quality of service provided by THOMAS Hoffmann HVAC. I love supporting smaller family owned business and this one is top-notch! Thank you guys!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your continued support and kind words, Mari! We truly appreciate your loyalty and are glad to hear about your positive experiences with our services. We look forward to continuing to provide you with top-notch service in the future.
Great customer service & experience for our HVAC System! They installed two UV lights and a dehumidifier. On time, great service, the new items work great - Great HVAC Service in St. Louis! Thank you!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Brandon, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that you had a great experience with your installations Your satisfaction is our priority!
Thank you Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning for doing a great of repairing our HVAC system that was damaged during a power outage. You installed our new HVAC system late last year and promptly responded to our call for repair after a power surge impacted our subdivision.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Don, for your kind words! We're glad to hear that Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning was able to assist you so quickly after the power surge and that you're satisfied with your new HVAC system. Your support means a lot to us!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Chris! We appreciate your kind words about our service and are glad to hear you had a great experience.
What Is a Central Air Conditioner?
A central air conditioner is a cooling-only system. It removes warm air from your home and cycles it through refrigeration, releasing the heat outside and circulating cool air indoors. In cold months, it sits idle unless paired with a furnace.
What Is a Heat Pump?
A heat pump functions like an air conditioner in the summer but with a key difference: it can reverse the process in winter. That means it can also provide heating by extracting heat from outside air—even when it’s cold—and bringing it indoors.
Central Air Conditioner Vs. Heat Pump
Feature
Central Air Conditioner
Heat Pump
Cooling
Yes
Yes
Heating
No (requires furnace)
Yes
Efficiency
High (for cooling)
High (for both heating & cooling)
Upfront Cost
Typically lower
Typically higher
Operating Cost
Lower (if paired with gas furnace)
Potentially lower year-round
Best For
Homes with existing furnaces
Homes looking for an all-in-one system
How Each System Performs in St. Louis Weather
St. Louis experiences hot, humid summers and cold, damp winters — a true four-season climate. This makes heating and cooling choices more complex than in regions with more stable weather patterns.
Summer Cooling: Heat Pump and AC Perform Equally Well
During the peak summer months, both systems perform virtually the same. A modern heat pump cools your home just as effectively as a central AC. Efficiency ratings like SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) are available on both systems, allowing apples-to-apples comparisons when evaluating summer performance.
Winter Heating: Heat Pumps Offer Flexibility — With Limits
Here’s where the real debate begins. Heat pumps can efficiently heat your home, but their performance may decline. Below that threshold, they rely on auxiliary (electric) heat, which can increase your energy bills.
In contrast, a gas furnace paired with an AC remains a powerful, reliable option for colder days, especially when temperatures drop into the teens or lower — a not-uncommon occurrence during St. Louis winters.
Energy Efficiency and Long-Term Costs
Installation Costs
AC + Furnace: Often cheaper upfront, especially if your home already has ductwork and a furnace.
Heat Pump: Higher initial cost due to its dual-function design, but potentially lower HVAC equipment footprint.
Operating Costs
Heat pumps are more efficient than electric furnaces and may cost less to run in milder winters. However, natural gas remains cheaper than electricity in St. Louis, which often favors a traditional AC + gas furnace combo for winter heating.
Environmental Impact
If your priority is lowering your carbon footprint, a heat pump powered by renewable electricity is a cleaner option, especially as utility providers expand access to greener energy sources. Many St. Louis homeowners are also exploring federal tax credits and incentives for heat pump installations under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Which System Is Right for You?
Here’s a breakdown of which system works best depending on your specific situation:
Choose a Heat Pump If:
You want heating and cooling from a single unit
Your home lacks natural gas access
You prefer electric-based heating for environmental reasons
You plan to pair it with solar panels or off-peak electricity plans
Choose a Central AC (With a Furnace) If:
You want maximum heating power during freezing winters
You already have a high-efficiency gas furnace
You want lower upfront costs
You live in a home with an aging furnace that’s still functional
HVAC Solutions for St. Louis Homes
Ultimately, both systems can be smart investments, but the right choice depends on your comfort needs, energy preferences, and home infrastructure. At Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating, we evaluate your home’s layout, insulation, ductwork, and long-term goals to recommend the best system for you.
Contact Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating today to schedule a free in-home estimate. We’ll help you choose a system that’s energy-efficient, cost-effective, and built to handle the ever-changing St. Louis weather.
