[Brian_K_White]

Kind of a pointless observation.

The words "air conditioner" don't literally mean much at all. It doesn't refer to a humidifier or a hepa filter for instance, yet the term air conditioner has a distinct meaning that is silly to try to pretend not to recognize.

Same for heat pump.

[balfirevic]

I view "heat pump" as a technical term describing how some heaters/coolers/dehumidifiers/clothes driers/fridges work. Wikipedia seems to somewhat agree with me, although article about heat pumps seems focused on space heaters and coolers.

> yet the term air conditioner has a distinct meaning that is silly to try to pretend not to recognize

Well, yes, in US it apparently means "heat pump based space cooler". Where I live it means "heat pump based space heater and cooler".