With wintertime approaching, you might be wondering how well your existing air source heat pump is going to work 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 bills 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 standard central air conditioner. A heat pump has indoor and outdoor units that interact to supply your heating and cooling.
We’re going to discuss this topic today, as well as:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF impact your heating and cooling bill.
- How ENERGY STAR® certification can help you save 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 cooling. 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 higher the number, the more efficient your heating system will be at utilizing electricity for warm air. This is very important for saving money in colder climates, considering your heat pump won’t have to operate 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 considered to be energy efficient and can help keep heating costs low during cold weather.
What Does ENERGY STAR Mean on a Heat Pump?
ENERGY STAR air source heat pumps meet 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 achieve 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, as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.
How to Choose an Energy-Efficient Heat Pump
When selecting your heat pump’s efficiency rating, just like any other household equipment, the most significant thing is to pick one that has an energy-efficiency rating that fits your budget.
If your budget only fits a heat pump with lower ratings, don’t fret! Even a new one 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 mandated air source heat pumps to have a 10 SEER rating.
- That number went up to 13 from 2006 to 2014.
- Today, a new heat pump must be at least 14 SEER.
- So, changing from 10 SEER to 14 SEER will make a major difference on your energy bill.
It’s also important to note that the majority of heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with appropriate service. When yours starts to approach this age, you’ll want to think about getting a new one.
In the past, heat pumps were limited to areas that didn’t have cold climates, due to of the way heat pumps work to pull heat from the air. Modern heat pump systems are also created to endure colder outdoor air and a cold climate during the winter. This decreases your reliance on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.
Upgrading your heat pump with LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. may be more reasonably priced than you think it is. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, buying new HVAC systems may be more affordable than you realize.
It’s not easy to find the time and money to switch aging air source systems. But if you want more comfortable home temperatures with cheaper energy bills down the road, it might be worthwhile to check out new heat pump units.
At LTS Plumbing & Heating Inc. we make upgrading a convenient process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just call us at 570-648-0748 to request yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Paxinos your friends and neighbors have trusted since {year}.