How to identify a heat pump from a regular central air conditioner

[gustavo2027]

I know how to identify them from if I open them but not by just looking at them from outside, please help me with the answer. thanks.

[Paul Bee]

Look in the top past the fan blade. If you see a reversing valve, i would have to say yup heat pump.

[koldenhott]

I know how to identify them from if I open them but not by just looking at them from outside, please help me with the answer. thanks.

Since I start indoors (checking filter and such), I check the thermostat...
...EM Heat, AUX Heat, or two stage heat as indicated with two mercury switches are good indications that I have a heat pump system.

[gustavo2027]

I appreciate your responses, these will definitely make my work much easier.

[BNME8EZ]

If you look at a HP they usually are up off the pad several inches to feet depending on the dealer. A/Cs are generally setting right on the pad. Not always but in general it seems to hold.

[bootlen]

If you look at a HP they usually are up off the pad several inches to feet depending on the dealer. A/Cs are generally setting right on the pad. Not always but in general it seems to hold.

???

[zzonko]

???

Northern climate Boots....snow

[smsfire2003]

attend trade school? or call a competent tech

[Green Mountain]

???

Maybe down south they don't elevate heat pumps ? Up here the deforst water would back up because the unit would be in snow. The FEW heat pumps that we were forced to sell were alway put at least 1 foot above the ground level.

[1972torino]

Look for 3 hose connections at the outdoor unit. Liquid line, vapor line and common suction.