Heating and cooling appliance

A method for heating or cooling a room using an appliance that comprises a vapor-compression refrigeration device and an electric fireplace, the electric fireplace having a display panel, the method comprising:

• sensing a room temperature using a room temperature sensor or thermostat,
• with a central processor, comparing the sensed temperature with a desired temperature,
• if the sensed temperature exceeds the desired temperature, causing the processor to operate the vapor-compression refrigeration device in a cooling mode, and
• if the sensed temperature is below the desired temperature, sensing an exterior temperature and comparing it to a predetermined temperature, and further performing the steps of:
• if the exterior temperature is above the predetermined temperature, operating the vapor-compression refrigeration device in a heating mode,
• if the exterior temperature is below the predetermined temperature, deactivating the vapor-compression refrigeration device and operating an electric heating element of the electric fireplace.

A heating and cooling appliance comprising:

• a heat pump unit,
• a heating element and a display panel,
• a room temperature sensor,
• an exterior temperature sensor, and
• a processor operatively connected to the heat pump unit, the heating element, the room temperature sensor, and the exterior temperature sensor, the processor configured to:
• (i) receive a first temperature signal from the room temperature sensor corresponding to a sensed room temperature,
• (ii) receive a second temperature signal from the exterior temperature sensor corresponding to a sensed exterior temperature,
• (iii) operate the heat pump unit in a cooling mode when the sensed room temperature is above a predetermined room temperature,
• (iv) operate the heat pump unit in a heating mode when the sensed room temperature is below the predetermined room temperature and the sensed exterior temperature is above a predetermined exterior temperature,
• (v) prevent operation of the heat pump unit and operate the heating element when the sensed room temperature is below the predetermined room temperature and the sensed exterior temperature is below the predetermined exterior temperature,
• (vi) cause an image of a burning fire to be displayed on a lower portion of the display panel when the heat pump unit is in a heating mode or when the heating element is activated, and
• (vii) cause an image of falling snow to be displayed on an upper portion of the display panel when the heat pump unit is in a cooling mode.