With cold weather approaching, you might be wondering how well your existing air source heat pump is going to operate this year. You might also be wondering if now is a wise time to do heat pump installation.
A new air source heat pump is more energy efficient and can help you spend less on energy costs over its lifetime.
They’re an all-in-one heating system and cooling system. These heat pumps transfer heat from the outdoor air to make your residence cooler or warmer. They don’t produce heat or air conditioning like a natural gas furnace or a regular central air conditioner. A heat pump has indoor and outdoor units that interact to provide you with heating and cooling.
We’re going to go over this topic now, as well as:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF affect your energy bill.
- How ENERGY STAR® models can help you spend less money.
- How to select an energy-efficient heat pump system for your home.
What Is SEER in Heat Pump?
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is a heat pump rating system that measures how efficient air source heat pumps are at using electricity for air conditioning. The higher the SEER, the more efficient they are at transferring heat during the cooling season.
What Is a Good SEER Rating for a Heat Pump?
A heat pump with a SEER between 14 and 16 is considered to have good energy efficiency.
What Is HSPF in Heat Pumps?
HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is another heat pump rating system that measures how well air source heat pumps will operate during the heating season. The better the number, the better your heating system will be at consuming electricity for warm air. This is especially important for saving money in colder climates, since your heat pump won’t have to run as hard as it transfers heat.
What Is a Good HSPF Rating for a Heat Pump?
Heat pump systems with an HSPF between 8 and 10 are deemed to be energy efficient and can help keep heating costs lower during cold conditions.
What Does ENERGY STAR Mean on a Heat Pump?
ENERGY STAR air source heat pumps satisfy strict requirements set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for both heating efficiency and cooling efficiency, so you know these high-efficiency heat pumps will operate well.
Air source heat pumps qualify for ENERGY STAR if they have:
- HSPF rating of 8.5 or higher
- SEER rating of 15 or greater
- This can lower your heat pump’s operating costs, plus reduce greenhouse gas emissions that play a role in global climate change.
How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Heat Pump
When choosing your heat pump’s efficiency rating, just like any other household appliance, the most significant thing is to choose one that has an energy-efficiency rating that fits your budget.
If your budget only fits a heat pump with lesser ratings, don’t fret! Even a new model with a lower rating is going to use less energy than one that’s 10 or 15 years old. Here’s why.
- From 1999 to 2005, federal guidelines required air source heat pumps to have a 10 SEER rating.
- That number increased to 13 from 2006 to 2014.
- Today, a new heat pump should be at least 14 SEER.
- So, switching from 10 SEER to 14 SEER will make a big difference on your heating and cooling bill.
It’s also essential to note that the majority of heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with appropriate maintenance. When yours starts to approach this age, you’ll want to think about getting a new one.
In the past, heat pumps were restricted to places that didn’t have cold climates, because of the way heat pumps work to extract heat from the air. Today’s heat pump systems are also created to tolerate colder outdoor air and a cold climate during the winter. This lessens your dependence on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.
Upgrading your heat pump with All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc may be more reasonably priced than you realize. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, getting new HVAC systems may be more affordable than you think it is.
It’s not easy to find the time and money to switch aging air source systems. But if you want comfier home temperatures with smaller energy costs in the future, it might be beneficial to check out new heat pump units.
At All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc we make updating a convenient process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just give us a call at 256-801-4701 to book yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Huntsville your friends and neighbors have trusted since {year}.