With wintertime approaching, you might be thinking about how well your existing air source heat pump is going to work this year. You might also be wondering if now is a smart 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 regular central air conditioner. A heat pump has indoor and outdoor units that work together to supply your heating and cooling.
We’re going to go over this topic now, plus:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF affect 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 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 regarded as having good energy efficiency.
What Is HSPF in Heat Pumps?
HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) is a different heat pump rating system that measures how well air source heat pumps will work during the heating season. The better the number, the more efficient 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 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 lower during cold temperatures.
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 selecting 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 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 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, switching from 10 SEER to 14 SEER will make a major difference on your heating and cooling bill.
It’s also essential to know that the majority of 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 restricted to locations that didn’t have cold climates, due to of the way heat pumps work to extract 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 reduces your dependence on a supplemental heat source, electric resistance heating or baseboard heaters during the heating season.
Upgrading your heat pump with Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling may be more affordable than you think it is. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, buying new HVAC systems may be more affordable than you think it is.
It’s not easy to find the time and money to replace aging air source systems. But if you want more comfortable home temperatures with smaller energy bills in the future, it might be a good idea to see our new heat pump units.
At Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling we make updating an easy process by providing free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just give us a call at 208-561-1226 to book yours now. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Athol your friends and neighbors have trusted since {year}.
