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.
My a/c was not working correctly and I knew it needed to be serviced. The person came and cleaned what needed to be cleaned and he did what he could for the output. He was very professional and nice. We will definitely call them for our future needs.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the positive feedback! We're glad to hear that you were pleased with our prompt and friendly service. We look forward to assisting you again in the future!
Nick arrived to repair our ac earlier than expected. He quickly diagnosed and made the necessary repairs. The cost was reasonable. We will definitely contact Thomas Hoffmann for hvac services in the future..
Response from the owner:Thank you, Michael! We're glad to hear Nick provided prompt and efficient service, and we appreciate your trust in Thomas Hoffmann for your future HVAC needs.
We have used Thomas Hoffman Air Conditioning and Heating for AC issues for the last two years. We have been so happy with the service we have received both times. This year, we just needed a little maintenance as our unit wasn’t working to its full potential. I called first thing in the morning and was able to get a same day appointment! Nick was so personable and knowledgeable, and he got us back up and running and no time. Thank you again for saving us from the summer heat!! We are so grateful for the amazing customer service you guys provide!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Teri, for your kind words and for trusting us with your AC needs over the past two years; we're glad Nick could help get your unit back to its best, and we truly appreciate your gratitude for our service!
I highly recommend Thomas Hoffmann for anything involving HVAC. The person replacing my furnace, Britton Buehrig, was Professional and took pride in his work. The job was very cleanly done.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Ray, for your kind words and recommendation! We're glad to hear that you were provided with professional service and a clean installation. Your satisfaction means a lot to us.
I txt Thomas Hoffman air-conditioning and heating Sunday early evening about 6:30 and just left A detailed message of what was going on with my AC I received an automated reply, saying they would contact me soon. I heard from them the next Morning at 11 AM to confirm what was going on with my unit and said they would have a Tech out today still but would be the last call between 6 and 8pm. I expected to get an appointment 2 to 3 days later. We’re in the middle of about an 8 to 10 day Heat wave of Mid to upper 90s. So imagine my surprise when I received a call from Zachary at 3:20 telling me he was in Saint Charles and was on his way to my house to look at the unit. When I explained what was wrong on the phone, he was pretty confident. He knew what it was once he got here, pulled off the cover and sure enough it was the capacitor. Pull the old one off and install the new one turned it back on and boom I have cold air blowing. I would highly recommend Thomas Hoffman, AC and heating and if you can request a certain Tech Zachary is your guy he is great super Frndly got the job done quickly and even interacted with my dogs Who are super friendly
Response from the owner:Thank you, Vicki, for sharing your experience with us! We're glad to hear that Zachary was able to resolve your AC issue quickly and that he made a positive impression on both you and your dogs. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to assisting you again!
We can’t say how happy we are with the quick and efficient service! We came home Friday evening after work on a 95 degree day (with a week of 90 degree weather ahead) and our A/C was totally out. We called this small business owner around 6pm and he was here by 7:25. He replaced our wires, had cool air running, gave us some helpful tips for the future, and was already out the door by 7:50. He was very polite, friendly, straightforward, and saved our evening/weekend!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Morgan, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad our team could provide quick and efficient service to keep you comfortable during the heat. Your satisfaction means a lot to us!
Giovanni was so great. Explained things so I understood. He is kind. I appreciated him cleaning up and being so nice. Thank you.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Peggy! We're so glad to hear Giovanni made your experience enjoyable and that his kindness stood out to you. Your appreciation means a lot to us!
Tom & Nick have taken care of all our HVAC needs for multiple properties for over a decade. Great team.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Kurt, for your kind words; we're grateful for your continued trust in our business for your HVAC needs over the years!
We recently moved into an older home and had an issue with the AC not working. We called and were offered a same-day appointment. Nick was fantastic—very knowledgeable and professional. He quickly diagnosed the issue with the air handler and got it fixed, and also installed a new thermostat for us. He was honest and straightforward with his recommendations and never pushed unnecessary products. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Adriana, for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear Nick was able to help you with your AC issue and provide excellent service. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Thomas Hoffman replaced my water heater. They were effective, efficient and pleasant people with whom to work.
Response from the owner:Thank you, David, for your kind words about Thomas and the team; we appreciate your feedback and are glad you had a positive experience with your water heater replacement.
Responsive! Came over, even after hours to help resolve a critical issue that was caused by a lightning strike causing a gas leak. Would highly recommend!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We're glad our team was able to assist you promptly, especially during such a critical situation. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Having Tom come to our aid was a great experience and he offered followup assistance with the fancy technology part of the appliance if we need it. We will call him again if the need arises. Merry Christmas.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Marilyn! We're glad to hear that Nick was able to assist you and provide follow-up support. We appreciate your trust in us and wish you a Merry Christmas!
Great service. Responsive. Well trained technicians. Honest friendly and thorough. I highly recommend Tom Hoffmann and his team.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We appreciate your recommendation and are delighted to hear about your positive experience with our team.
As always, the Hoffmann technician was polite, professional, and efficient. Pricing is reasonable and even more importantly, they are dependable. I will continue to use Thomas Hoffman A/C and Heating.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Mark, for your kind words about our technician and for your continued trust in Thomas Hoffman A/C and Heating; we truly appreciate your support!
These guys are pros. Techs are friendly, listen and explain what they are doing. Office staff is responsive. Fast service....
Response from the owner:Thank you, Clark, for your kind words! We're glad to hear our techs and office staff made your experience a great one. Your feedback means a lot to us!
Excellent service. A/C went out on a weekend. Called them on Saturday morning, they were out within about 2 hours. The fix was easy enough, and he even had the part in the truck! I recommend this company for all of your HVAC needs
Response from the owner:Thank you, Elaine! We're glad to hear you received prompt service and that the fix was smooth. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
The service technicians are very courteous and communicate well with the customer. They let you know what, if any, problems are found, the options, and the cost of the repair(s). Quick and efficient.
Response from the owner:Thank you for recognizing our service technicians' courteous and effective communication, we appreciate your feedback!
These guys were great. Quick to return my call. Up front pricing. Great work on the installation. And the installers were nice and friendly. Highly recommend Thomas Hoffmann.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Steve! We truly appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear you had such a positive experience with our team and Thomas Hoffmann. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Hoffmann came out the same day I called them because our AC was out. The technician, Ryan, was able to get the system running again, was polite and responded to my questions. We’re off to a good start!
Response from the owner:Thank you, John! We're glad to hear Ryan was able to help and that you’re off to a good start with your AC. We appreciate your feedback!
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.
Response from the owner:Thank you Wray, for your kind words! We're glad to hear you had a great experience and that everything was on time.
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.
