With cold temperatures approaching, you might be thinking about how well your old air source heat pump is going to run 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 save big 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 house cooler or warmer. They don’t create heat or air conditioning like a natural gas furnace or a standard central air conditioner. A heat pump has indoor and outdoor units that work together to supply your heating and cooling.
We’re going to discuss this topic now, as well as:
- How air source heat pump efficiency ratings like SEER and HSPF affect your heating and cooling bill.
- How ENERGY STAR® certification can help you spend less money.
- How to choose 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 evaluates how efficient air source heat pumps are at using electricity for air conditioning. The greater the SEER, the better 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 calculates 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 very 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 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 established 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 greater
- SEER rating of 15 or greater
- This can lower your heat pump’s operating costs, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions that play a role in 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 lesser 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 increased 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 most heat pumps only last around 15-20 years with proper service. When yours starts 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 pull heat from the air. Modern heat pump systems are also made to withstand 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 Fairfield Heating & Cooling may be more reasonably priced than you think it is. Between rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers, getting 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 comfier home temperatures with smaller energy bills down the road, it might be a good idea to see our new heat pump units.
At Fairfield Heating & Cooling we make updating an easy process by giving free estimate appointments for air source heat pumps. Just give us a call at 740-331-4331 to book yours today. We’re proud to offer heat pump installation in Lancaster your friends and neighbors have trusted since {year}.
