I have a house on the outskirts of Monterrey and I'm paying a ton with the reverse air conditioning I installed 5 years ago. A neighbor tells me that modern heat pumps are way more efficient and that now there are cheap Chinese brands that work well. Does anyone have experience with this? How much does it cost to install one and how much do you actually save?
A modern heat pump can be worth it in Monterrey, but it depends on several factors. If your reverse air conditioner is 5 years old and uses a lot of energy, chances are it's losing efficiency. New heat pumps are more efficient, sure, though honestly a reverse air conditioner is already a heat pump - what's changed is that now they're quieter, faster at heating/cooling, and use less power on standby. Real savings vary a lot depending on how you use the equipment; in areas where it gets really hot but winters are mild (like Monterrey), savings on heating are lower because you barely use it.
Installation can cost you anywhere from 15,000 to 35,000 pesos or so, depending on whether you need to replace the indoor unit, the piping system, and which brand you pick. Cheap Chinese brands work fine, but here's the thing: even if the equipment costs less, if it breaks down later you'll need to find a specialized technician, and that can be a hassle. Known brands cost more upfront but warranties and spare parts are easier to get. Real monthly savings will probably be around 20-30% if the old equipment is working poorly, though some optimists talk about more.
My advice: before you switch, have someone check your current one - sometimes decent maintenance (cleaning filters, checking refrigerant, etc.) really improves consumption. If it's truly broken down or needs major repairs, then yeah, consider replacing it. But don't do it just because you're using a lot of energy; first make sure the equipment is in good shape. If you do go for it, look for a brand with established service in your area, even if it costs a bit more.
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