With cold weather approaching, you might be thinking about how well your existing air source heat pump is going to run this year. You might also be questioning 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 home cooler or warmer. They don't generate 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 go over this topic now, as well as:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF impact your energy bill.
- How ENERGY STAR® certification 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 calculates how efficient air source heat pumps are at utilizing electricity for air conditioning. The greater 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 regarded as having 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 work during the heating season. The greater the number, the better your heating system will be at using electricity for warm air. This is very important for saving money in colder climates, because your heat pump won't have to work 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 down during cold weather.
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 work 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 decrease greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
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 select one that has an energy efficiency rating that you can afford.
If your budget only allows for a heat pump with lower ratings, don't worry! Even a new one with a lower rating is going to consume less energy than one that's 10 or 15 years old. Here's why.
- From 1999 to 2005, federal regulations required 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 should 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 essential to note that most heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with appropriate service. When yours begins to approach this age, you'll want to think about replacing it.
In previous years, heat pumps were limited to areas that didn't have cold climates, because of the way heat pumps work to pull heat from the air. Today's heat pump systems are also made to tolerate 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 Cooler Tymes LLC may be more reasonably priced than you realize. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, buying new HVAC systems may be more budget friendly 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 lower energy costs down the road, it might be beneficial to check out new heat pump units.
At Cooler Tymes LLC we make updating an easy process by giving free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just give us a call at 623-208-6444 to book yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Litchfield Park your friends and neighbors have trusted since 2011.